BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION-MALAWI VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation – Malawi (BCMCF-M) is a not-for-profit organization working in partnership with the Malawi Government in the health sector. Through a public-private partnership between the Government of Malawi, Abbott Fund and Baylor Foundation-Malawi, the first dedicated stand-alone pediatric HIV/AIDS care and treatment clinic in Malawi, popularly known as the Centre of Excellence (COE) was established. Our Mission is to provide high-quality, high-impact, highly ethical pediatric and family-centered health care, health professional training and clinical research, focused on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, malnutrition Maternal Health (MCH) and Pediatric Hematology Oncology (PHO) as well as other conditions impacting the health and well-being of children and families worldwide. BCMCF-M is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of: Position: Research Assistant – Neurodevelopmental Examiner Contract Duration: 1 year (possibly renewable) Location:  Baylor Foundation Malawi Centre of Excellence, Area 25H/C and related sites. Reports to: Principal Investigator *Position description and responsibilities  * As part of the Microbiome Alterations with Xylitol (MAX) in pregnancy grant, we will perform neurodevelopmental assessments on 50 6-18 months old children as a follow up to the Microbiome Alterations with Xylitol (MAX) trial. The research assistant/neuro-developmental examiner will be responsible for performing, documenting, and ensuring quality of data entry for neurodevelopmental assessments as part of this study. S/he will be responsible for giving acceptable standards of care to patients /clients under the supervision of the PI and assigned investigators. S/he will assist in the assessment of study participants including the recruitment, enrollment, consenting and following-up participants. She/he will perform neurodevelopmental assessments, records/documents the data, and collects other necessary data from all study participants in order to execute aims of grant. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following  - Recruit, enroll, consent and follow-up individuals for study participation - Document study consent and maintain records according to COE, Baylor Foundation Malawi, and UW policies - Prepare the rooms for counseling and examinations, including and especially neurodevelopmental assessments - Perform neurodevelopmental assessments after being trained in how to properly administer them - Attend training in how to perform, score, and record neurodevelopmental assessments - Ensures that all clients have their respective height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and vital signs obtained during the study visit - Obtain appropriate data from patients/clients/study participants - Always maintain a clean and safe environment for self/staff and client care - Counsel and provide optimizing neurodevelopment-related messages - Collect data and information from the individual patient/client in a non-judgmental environmental where patients and caregivers feel safe and comfortable - Continue to counsel and teach client’s guardian the importance of good nutrition and a safe environment - Participate in outreach and training programs which may be conducted outside the clinic - Ensure availability of clinic resources in collaboration with the superiors - Ensures data entry is accurate, valid, and entered in a timely manner - Communicates frequently with primary and co-investigators of grant - Be child-friendly and ensure all testing is performed in a manner appropriate for 6-18 months old children - Assist in providing follow-up to nutritional services, neurodevelopmental non-profits, dentists, or other referral entities that may be needed based on testing and subsequent results that occur as part of this study. - Maintain clients’ privacy and confidentiality of records concerning their treatment and general matters related to work. - Attend all relevant Program meetings. - Prepare reports. - Undertake other duties as assigned.                                                        Qualifications and Experience - Minimum of diploma in Public Health, Community Health, Social Work, or Education from a recognized institution. - 1-year relevant experience - Candidates who were trained in prenatal care, neurodevelopmental assessments in children and preterm birth will have an added advantage. - Excellent communication skills in Chichewa and English - Ability to listen patiently and carefully and work with minimum supervision - Ability to work in a team environment a must high respect and care for patients/clients. - Willing and able to work with children 6-18 months of age. - Perform neurodevelopmental assessments in a child-friendly manner Visit the following link to apply  https://apply.workable.com/tingathe/?not_found=true#jobs Closing date for receiving applications is 12th February 2024. Only shortlisted applicants will be acknowledged.