Research Assistant 4 positions at UCSF Global Programs Tanzania, Mwanza September 2026

Research Assistant

About Global Programs

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) partners with governments, academic institutions, and communities to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes worldwide. In Tanzania, UCSF, through its local Global Programs office, supports research and implementation science that generates evidence to expand access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services and to inform national health policy and practice.

Project summary

PATHS (“Expanding Access to HIV Self-Test Kits Through Private Sector Channels”) is a mixed-methods implementation study conducted in the Mwanza Region of Tanzania. The study works with approximately 200 Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlets (ADDOs) and pharmacies across 50 wards to test the monetary and non-monetary, structural and behavioral supports needed to enable independent adoption of HIV self-test (HIVST) kits distribution.

Participating shops procure subsidized HIVST kits to distribute free of charge to young women (reimbursed by the study) while selling to other customers for profit, with procurement subsidies gradually phased out over 39 months to test the sustainability of a segmented pricing model. Data collection includes shop administrative sales data (via the Maisha Meds point-of-sale system), periodic shopkeeper surveys, in-depth and quick-strike exit interviews, and mystery client visits.

Summary of role

The Research Assistant is a senior field position responsible for managing a portfolio of participating shops and the field activities that take place within it.

Working under the guidance of the Study Coordinator, the Research Assistant leads the recruitment and onboarding of shops, serves as the primary point of contact for assigned shops throughout the study, administers quantitative shopkeeper surveys, works with the Study Coordinator and the Team of Investigators to recruit, train, and deploy mystery client actors, and conducts quick-strike exit interviews.

This role combines direct data collection with coordination and supervisory duties, and requires strong judgment, organization, and the ability to work independently in the field.

Reporting and management responsibilities

• Reports to Study Coordinator.
• Supervises mystery client actors and any data collectors or field assistants assigned to the Research Assistant’s ward portfolio.
• Coordinates with shop owners and staff, the Maisha Meds team, other Research Assistants, and the procurement and inventory management team.

Position responsibilities

Technical

• Shop recruitment and onboarding: Identify and approach ADDO and pharmacy owners in assigned wards; describe the study; lead the informed consent process; enroll shops; and coordinate with Maisha Meds to set up the Maisha Meds point-of-sale system.
• Shop coordination and supervision: Serve as the primary point of contact for a portfolio of assigned shops; conduct routine (monthly) shop visits; coordinate deliveries of HIVST kits, supplies, and commodities; track procurement and free distribution; and troubleshoot operational issues.
• Quantitative shopkeeper surveys: Administer in-person and phone shopkeeper surveys at scheduled study time points, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timely upload of data.
• Mystery client (MC) actors: Support recruitment of suitable actors; train them to portray young women and other customers in standardized scenarios; schedule and coordinate unannounced visits; ensure audio recording and correct data capture; and debrief after each round.
• Quick-strike exit interviews: Conduct quick-strike exit interviews with shopkeepers who discontinue study activities.
• Plan and manage day-to-day field logistics, routing, and scheduling across assigned wards.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the study protocol and study SOPs; safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of all study data and participants.
• Ensure adherence to study protocol, SOPs, and ethical standards among the field team.

Communication

• Document field activities, challenges, and any protocol deviations, and report issues promptly to the Study Coordinator.
• Prepare clear written and verbal field reports on shop status, survey progress, and MC and interview activities.

Administrative

• Comply with Global Programs administrative policies and procedures.
• Complete timesheets, field expense and logistics documentation, and study tracking tools accurately and on time.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Study Coordinator and Investigator Team.

Autonomy and decision-making

• Works independently to manage assigned tasks, escalating significant issues to the Study Coordinator.

Required skills and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public health, pharmacy, business, or related field.
• At least three (3) years of experience in field research or data collection, including supervisory, coordination, or team-lead experience.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, training, and managing field staff or teams.
• Proficiency with electronic data collection and Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Strong organizational and management skills, with the ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili.
• Resident of Mwanza and available and ready to work in Mwanza Region for the duration of the assignment.
• Willing and able to travel frequently within Mwanza Region to shops (pharmacies or ADDOs) in assigned wards.

Additional preferred skills and qualifications

• Experience working with private sector, pharmacy or ADDO settings, or in HIV prevention/testing programming.
• Experience with mystery client methodology and/or qualitative interviewing.
• Experience working with or discussing sensitive health topics such as HIV and sexual and reproductive health.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Work location

• This position is based in Mwanza, Tanzania.
• The role is field-based; the Research Assistant is expected to spend substantial time visiting shops across assigned wards.
• The Research Assistant must reside in Mwanza for the duration of the assignment.

Travel requirements

• This position requires frequent travel within Mwanza Region to participating shops in assigned wards.
• Occasional travel outside Mwanza may be required for training, coordination meetings, or other study activities.

To apply

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed in the minimum requirements above with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item. All applications must include the following:

• A current CV with names and telephone numbers for at least 2 referees, 1 of whom must be from your current employer.
• Copies of academic and professional certificates.
• Applications and supporting documents should be sent via e-mail to info.tanzania@ucglobalprograms.org.
• Deadline is 15th October 2026.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.