Research Assistant (3 Positions)

The Tanzania Mental Health Institute (TMHI), in collaboration with the University of North Carolina (UNC), USA, is inviting qualified candidates to apply for the position of Research Assistant under the KUPAA (Kuwezeshana Kupata Uzima) research project. This six-month, full-time opportunity is based in Dodoma and offers professionals the chance to contribute to an important mental health study aimed at improving the quality of life of adults living with schizophrenia while reducing caregiver burden. The contract is renewable depending on funding availability.

The KUPAA study will be conducted across Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, and Mbeya regions. Research Assistants will play a critical role in participant recruitment, informed consent, qualitative and quantitative data collection, and study coordination. Working closely with clinicians, patients, caregivers, and the research team, successful candidates will help ensure that the study is conducted ethically, accurately, and in accordance with national and international research standards.

The Tanzania Mental Health Institute is Tanzania's leading institution for mental health services, research, and training. Through its collaboration with the University of North Carolina, the institute is advancing evidence-based mental health interventions designed to improve patient outcomes and strengthen mental health care services across the country.

This opportunity is ideal for professionals with experience in health research, public health, psychology, nursing, social sciences, or related disciplines who are passionate about improving mental health care through high-quality research.

Responsibilities

• Screen potential participants using the study's inclusion and exclusion criteria and document eligibility according to study protocols.

• Conduct the informed consent process while ensuring participants fully understand the study before enrollment.

• Conduct in-depth interviews and administer quantitative surveys to patients and caregivers.

• Maintain a thorough understanding of the KUPAA study protocol, procedures, confidentiality requirements, and participant protection measures.

• Complete all required research training and certifications, including Human Subjects Protection and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

• Participate in study-related training sessions, team meetings, and weekly virtual meetings.

• Promote ethical research practices and report any suspected research misconduct.

• Coordinate clinician-rated PANSS assessments with psychiatric clinic staff.

• Prepare, maintain, and organize study documentation, including consent forms, case report forms (CRFs), registers, regulatory files, and adverse event records.

• Review study documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely submission.

• Support qualitative data analysis by assisting with codebook development, coding, agreement assessments, and data interpretation.

• Assist with study coordination, scheduling, communication, protocol implementation, progress reporting, and ethics submissions.

• Perform any other duties assigned by the Principal Investigator or Study Coordinator.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Medicine, Nursing, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Demography, or another relevant field.

• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience.

• Previous experience in both quantitative and qualitative data collection.

• Experience with REDCap software is an added advantage.

• Excellent communication, interviewing, and active listening skills.

• Experience with English–Swahili transcription and translation is an added advantage.

• Previous involvement in health-related research projects is desirable.

• Comfortable working with individuals experiencing psychotic symptoms or cognitive challenges.

• Knowledge of research ethics, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and human subjects protection.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective time management.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, and internet applications.

• Fluency in both English and Swahili.

• Familiarity with communities within the study regions is an added advantage.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following documents:

• Cover letter written in English explaining your qualifications and interest in the project.

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), including contact details for three referees.

• Contact information (address, telephone number, and email address).

• Copies of academic transcripts, certificates, and any additional training certificates.

Applications should be submitted via email to:

The Principal Investigator

Application Deadline: 16 August 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interviews at the Tanzania Mental Health Institute (TMHI), Dodoma.

This position provides an outstanding opportunity to contribute to internationally collaborative mental health research while gaining valuable experience in clinical research, participant engagement, data collection, and implementation of evidence-based mental health interventions in Tanzania.