Senior Research Assistant (District - Community Mobilizer)

The Senior Research Assistant – Community Mobilizer (TB Component) will be based in assigned districts within Sindh, Pakistan, including Karachi Central, Badin, Dadu, Ghotki, Naushero Feroze, Khairpur, Sanghar, Sukkur, and Shikarpur. This role involves regular field visits to hospitals, Basic Management Units (BMUs), and local communities to support tuberculosis (TB) control activities. The position is grant-funded and contractual, working closely with health facility staff to enhance contact screening, patient counseling, and linkage to TB treatment and preventive services.

Key Responsibilities:
- Support contact screening activities at designated hospitals and BMUs according to approved micro-plans.
- Coordinate with BMU staff to identify newly registered TB patients and compile lists of eligible household and close contacts.
- Counsel TB patients and their families on the importance of contact screening, recognizing TB symptoms, prevention strategies, and timely evaluation.
- Mobilize household contacts to attend health facilities for screening and diagnostic assessments.
- Conduct home visits to reach contacts unable or unwilling to visit hospitals.
- Facilitate referrals for symptomatic or presumptive TB contacts and assist in linking diagnosed patients to treatment services.
- Support TB-free eligible contacts in accessing tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) and follow-up care.
- Collaborate with DOTS Facilitators and BMU staff to maintain accurate and complete contact management records.
- Enter and update data in BMU records, reporting tools, and project-specific applications.
- Follow up with clients and contacts to ensure completion of diagnostic and referral processes.
- Maintain confidentiality and communicate respectfully and without stigma with patients and their families.
- Prepare activity reports and perform other project-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
- Minimum education level of Intermediate.
- At least one year of relevant professional experience in community mobilization, public health, social work, health programs, or community-based activities.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to counsel patients and families effectively and engage with diverse communities.
- Basic computer literacy and proficiency with mobile applications for data entry and record keeping.
- Capacity to maintain confidentiality and work collaboratively with health facility staff.
- Willingness to undertake field visits and work in both hospital and community settings.

The Aga Khan University is a reputable institution committed to education, research, and healthcare of international standards. The Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) is recognized nationally and internationally for its contributions to public health and primary healthcare development. AKU promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and expects all employees to uphold respectful and ethical interactions with colleagues, beneficiaries, and communities, including vulnerable populations.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted as part of the recruitment process.