The Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) based at the National Institute for Medical Research campus in Mwanza, Tanzania is a collaborative research unit of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the National Institute for Medical Research. The mission of the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit is to contribute to improving health through the development and evaluation of interventions against HIV and other health problems by conducting research, including clinical trials, to the highest international standards; to enhance the capacity to carry out such research in Tanzania and the East African region; and to contribute to the translation of research findings into health policy.
MITU is currently collaborating with other international research partners to implement a 5 year clinical trial to test dose reductions, safety and immunogenicity of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to prevent cervical cancer. The study is being conducted with approximately 900 healthy female volunteers. The Unit is now inviting applications from motivated and suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of clinical trial pharmacist. Other HPV vaccine research studies may commence in the next year.
Job Position: Pharmacist
Specific responsibilities
- To ensure proper preparation, handling, cold chain maintenance and storage of vaccines according to the study protocol, standard operating procedures and Good Clinical Practice.
- To manage temperature monitoring and deal with temperature out of range (TOR) events.
- To perform dispensing and accurate, timely accountability of study vaccines and provide reports as needed to the study investigators, sponsor, monitors or regulatory authority. (this may involve travel to study sites within Mwanza region as well as the study clinic).
- To ensure that all pharmacy-related activities are implemented according to the study protocol and good clinical practice.
- To ensure compliance with all aspects of pharmaco-vigilance for the clinical trial, including liaison with the regulatory authorities where required.
- To prepare and update trial pharmacy manuals, standard operating procedures and tally sheets for vaccine handling, vaccine accountability and other tasks as required in conjunction with the trial sponsor, investigators and trial manager.
- To ensure correct pharmacy waste disposal procedures are in place and to organise and supervise disposal of unused or expired vaccines and drugs when required.
- To stocktake and ensure other medications prescribed by study clinicians for study participants are stored and dispensed appropriately.
- To advise on purchase of locally available medications
- To assist with procurement of pharmacy-related equipment (such as temperature monitoring equipment) and its installation.
Additional responsibilities
- To carry out registration tasks at the study clinic when required.
- To carry out Quality Control and Quality Assurance on study procedures and documents as per the quality plan.
- To assist with maintenance of the trial Investigator Site File when required.
- To assist with communications relating to the health costing study.
- To report to the trial manager and study investigators, work with the wider clinical trial team and attend team meetings.
- To perform any other trial-related activities as may be requested by the investigators.
Essential criteria
- A degree in pharmacy from a recognized University.
- At least two years practical working experience as a pharmacist.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Experience in pharmacy activities for clinical research studies.
- Experience in vaccine handling, maintenance of cold chain and managing temperature excursions.
- Excellent numeracy skills and attention to detail.
- Computer literacy including demonstrable proficiency with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Willingness to work outside of normal working hours on occasions as the work demands.
- Willingness to undertake other research activities within the team as required.
Desirable criteria
- Substantial experience in clinical trials or other clinical research, particularly studies/trials of vaccines.
- Knowledge of cervical cancer, HPV and HPV vaccines.
- Previous GCP training.
- Experience in applying pharmaceutical regulatory and safety requirements.
- Experience of communicating or liaising with the Tanzanian regulatory authority for clinical trials.
Interested applicants should send an application letter explaining in English why they are interested in applying for this post which also indicates the earliest date they would be available to start in the role, a detailed curriculum vitae and the names of two referees by email to recruitment@mitu.or.tz by 5pm on 09th July 2021. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.
On 11th May 2021, a group of 10 second year undergraduate sociology students from St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Mwanza branch visited our unit as part of the study tour. These students’ interest was to understand the contribution of the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) in solving public health problems.
After an official introduction and tour of MITU facilities, the group was invited for a discussion led by three scientists within the unit: Dr Elialilia Okello (Senior Social Scientist), Dr Kenneth Makata (Public Health Specialist) and Onike Mcharo (Social Scientist). The discussion adhered to proper COVID-19 preventive measures. During the discussion, students were given information about a range of research studies conducted in the Unit.
The students had a chance to ask questions to the researchers about MITU’s contribution in addressing public health problems. At the end of the discussion, the students provided positive feedback on their understanding of MITU’s roles and its contribution towards solving public health problems in the region.
The Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) based at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) campus in Mwanza, (Tanzania) is a collaborative research unit of NIMR and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). MITU’s mission is to contribute to improving health through the development and evaluation of interventions against HIV and other health problems by conducting research, including clinical trials, to the highest international standards; to enhance the capacity to carry out such research in Tanzania and the East African region; and to contribute to the translation of research findings into health policy.
MITU, in collaboration with LSHTM and five other African institutional partners, is part of the ENTRANT training fellowship programme which seeks to develop a critical mass of infectious disease epidemiologists to work with the Ministries of health and their academic and research partners, to prevent and respond to emerging outbreaks and public health emergencies. The programme, funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), will support 15 African scientists over two academic years (2021-2023) to complete a one-year full-time MSc degree in Epidemiology at the LSHTM. At least two fellows will be from Tanzania. In addition to the MSc taught courses, fellows will also complete an LSHTM short- course on pandemic preparedness, response and research led by members of the Uk Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHrSt) and a three-month MSc research project carried out in Tanzania.
The other African institutional partners collaborating in this consortium are:
- National Health Laboratory (NHL), Botswana
- Haramaya University (HU), Ethiopia
- University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit (MUL), Uganda
- ZAMBART Project Limited, Zambia
Award Details:
Eight places are available for 2021-22 academic year and each fellowship includes:
- 2021-22 tuition fees (at the overseas fee rate)
- Stipend (living allowance) of £16,800
- Return air travel to London
- An allowance for MSc research project expenses
- Support to attend conferences and networking events after completion of the MSc
To be eligible, candidates must:
a) Be a resident and national of Tanzania.
b) Hold a minimum of an upper second-class honours degree from a reputable university in Tanzania or other countries, or a registerable qualification in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine.
c) Be working with either the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children or at the Institutes of Public Health at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), and Catholic University Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS) or School of Public Health at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College (KCM college), or Research Institutes at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR),Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) and Kilimanjaro Christian Research Institute (KCRI) or at the University of Dodoma. Applicant employer will need to provide a letter of support guaranteeing that the fellow will be released from work commitments for the full one-year period of the MSc, and that the fellow’s post or an equivalent role will be available for them to return to following completion of their studies. The letter should also express support for the fellow to have protected time (recommended one day per week for a 10-week period) to undertake the pandemic short course following the MSc.
d) Have at least 2 years and less than 15 years’ full-time equivalent work experience since completion of their first degree.
e) Be able to meet English language requirements for the LSHTM MSc Epidemiology specified here https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/sites/default/files/english language requirements policy.pdf
f) Be committed to continue working as a public health practitioner in Tanzania for a minimum of two years after completing their studies.
How to apply:
Candidates should complete their application through the online portal https://fellowship.lshtm.ac.uk/#/get- started. Applications will be accepted from 1st – 30th April 2021.
Please note:
The online application system includes a personal statement section. Candidates should use this section to give further details on their current role in public health and how they will be in a position to contribute to public health activities and disease outbreak preparedness and response activities following completion of the MSc. They should also set out their commitment to remain working as a public health practitioner in Tanzania for a minimum of two years after completing their studies.
Documents that must be uploaded as part of the application are listed below:
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic transcript
- Letter of support from current employer, including the information specified in point c) above.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed via Zoom.
Support will not be given as a supplement to other funding, nor to students who have funding from other sources.
Enquiries
Find out more about the MSc in Epidemiology.
Informal enquiries concerning the fellowship can be made to jchangalucha@yahoo.com, saidi.kapiga@lshtm.ac.uk or Emily Webb.
Informal enquiries concerning the MSc can be made to the Programme Directors.
Find out more about visa requirements.
Background
Gender-based violence is prevalent globally.
It occurs in many forms, including intimate partner violence, rape and coerced sex, child sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Such forms of gender-based violence are significant risk factors for poor health, impacting on individuals’ physical, sexual and psychological health, as well as their social and economic well-being.
Evidence from rigorously conducted research is essential to ensuring that policies and services to prevent and respond to violence are well-designed and appropriate to the context where women, children, adolescents and men live. Conducting action-oriented research on gender-based violence that is robust and carried out in ethical and safe ways requires specific methodological approaches.
The course
This course aims to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills to conduct or commission technically rigorous, ethical and policy- and service-relevant research on various forms of violence against women, children and adolescents.
It is intended for individuals who will conduct or commission research on gender-based violence. It will be of particular interest to those who want to add a ‘violence component’ to a study that is quantitative or qualitative or an intervention evaluation.
It is relevant for individuals working on health-related topics such as sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, HIV, mental health and substance use.
The course will be taught through a series of online interactive lectures, practical exercises, group work and assigned reading.
Course content
The course will cover topics including:
- Conceptualising and researching various forms of gender-based violence
- Associations between violence and health: current knowledge
- Ethics and safety
- Approaches to researching violence: qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, intervention research
- Developing conceptual frameworks for violence and health research
- Survey research on violence and questionnaire design
- Intervention research: approaches and challenges
- Violence research in health care settings
- Violence research in humanitarian settings
Key information
Course Organisers:
Dr Karen Devries, Dr Cathy Zimmerman and Dr Ana Maria Buller
The course will also feature lectures from Prof Charlotte Watts and visiting staff from other universities.
Duration: 17-28 May 2021
Fees for 2021: £850
Contact email: shortcourses@lshtm.ac.uk
Find out more and apply: www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/short-courses/gender-violence
Position: Female Research Assistant
Ref. Number: MITU/RA/1/21
The Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) based at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) campus in Mwanza, (Tanzania) is a collaborative research unit of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and NIMR. MITU’s mission is to contribute to improving health through the development and evaluation of interventions against HIV and other health problems by conducting research, including clinical trials, to the highest international standards; to enhance the capacity to carry out such research in Tanzania and the East African region; and to contribute to the translation of research findings into health policy.
Adolescent 360 (A360) is a programme that aims to increase voluntary modern contraceptive use and reduce unplanned pregnancy among young women aged 15-19 years old in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Nigeria. MITU is collaborating with other research partners to conduct an endline survey to investigate the history, knowledge and use of family planning methods among young women aged 15-19 years old in Mwanza region, Tanzania. The study will be conducted in 15 wards in the Ilemela district in Mwanza city. MITU is inviting applications from young women to participate as Research Assistants in the study.
Location: Ilemela district, Mwanza
Reporting to: Study Coordinator and Field Coordinator
Duration of assignment: April 2021 – June 2021
Starting date: 01 April 2021
Responsibilities:
- Conduct informed consent procedures with study participants prior to conducting the interviews.
- Conduct structured face-to-face interviews with participants and record responses in tablet computers and other paper-based forms.
- Assure participant safety and confidentiality during data collection.
- Manage and safeguard data collection tools e.g. tablets.
- Prepare weekly progress reports to share with the study management team.
- Participate in regular field team debriefing meetings.
- Perform other tasks as needed by supervisors.
Required Qualifications:
- Applicants must be women aged between 18 to 27 years of age.
- At least a degree or equivalent in a relevant field to the study topic.
- Good written and oral communication in English and Kiswahili.
- Experience in conducting structured, face to face interviews.
- Able to work on flexible schedule, including weekends and after normal working hours.
- Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision and adhere to set priorities, standards and deadlines.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
Desired qualifications
- Experience in the use of tablets in data collection.
- Experience with working with adolescent young girls.
General Conditions
- Application letter should be written in English.
- Applicants much attach relevant copies of their academic certificates.
- Applicants must attach their curriculum vitae (CV). CVs should have a daytime mobile number, email address of the applicant and contacts of two referees.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Closing date for applications is 25 March 2021.
Mode of Application
Those who meet the criteria should send their application letter with the heading “A360
RESEARCH ASSISTANT” and required documentation to recruitment@mitu.or.tz
Results from this study highlight the importance of maintaining and increasing vaccine coverage to sustain gains made in reducing deaths related to infectious diseases in low-and middle-income countries.
Primary school from Kagera region.
In recent years, handwashing with soap has been gaining recognition as an important practice for maintaining good health. Many international organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have taken part in promoting regular handwashing with soap. This is mainly because current scientific evidence shows that handwashing with soap reduces transmission of infectious agents and is an effective means to prevent infections.
Since the effectiveness of handwashing is well-established, the scientists at the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) are working to include this practice as part of a package of public interventions aiming to combat worm infections among primary school children in Kagera region, northwestern Tanzania. Recently, Dr. Kenneth Makata and his colleagues published an article in PlosOne that describes their work, which uses handwashing with soap as a tool to reduce the burden of common worm infections (namely Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura) in the study population. This article presents results of a survey which was conducted before the implementation of a large study aiming to assess the effectiveness of a range of measures, including handwashing with soap, in reducing the chance of getting new worm infections following mass treatment of school children.
Handwashing facility with painted nudges from one intervention school.
It is interesting to note the innovation that goes into the design of this research project. Dr. Makata and his colleagues installed handwashing facilities close to the latrine building in 8 primary schools taking part in this study in 3 districts of Kagera region.
Each facility had replenishable pieces of soap to be used. The team also painted the pathways linking latrines and handwashing facilities to make them look friendly and to sub-consciously motivate the school children to use the facilities to wash hands. Teacher-led classroom teaching and sessions to involve parents were also provided as part of the package.
“We were very pleased to see school children highly motivated to use the facilities after their installations,” said Dr. Makata who coordinated all activities related to this study in Kagera. “Our study confirms that worm infections among school children are a major health problem in Kagera region”. Results of the main study have been submitted for publication.
The Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) based at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) campus in Mwanza, Tanzania is a collaborative research unit of NIMR and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The mission of MITU is to contribute to improving health through the development and evaluation of interventions against infections and other health problems by conducting research, including clinical trials, to the highest international standards. MITU also aims to enhance the capacity to carry out such research in Tanzania and to contribute to the translation of research findings into health policy. The Unit is now inviting applications from motivated and suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position that will be based at NIMR campus, Mwanza.
Position: Senior Finance Officer
Ref. Number: MITU/FIN/01/21
We are seeking to appoint an ambitious and highly motivated senior finance officer with proven technical experience in accounting and financial management, who is capable of working under the supervision of the Associate Director of Finance and Administration as part of the finance team of MITU.
Principal responsibilities
- Be responsible for managing all finance aspects of various projects, including preparing quarterly management accounts and providing day-to-day advice, guidance and support to MITU’s Principal Investigators (PI’s) and Project Co-ordinators (PC’s).
- Maintain and update MITU’s financial systems and controls, verifying and checking the financial records, reports, ledgers and statements.
- To support with the preparation of audit files during audits, liaise with staff and auditors during the process and help prepare supporting documentations and the production of audited annual accounts.
- To be responsible for the processing of sales invoices for grants and other income sources, thereby ensuring that all monies are received and banked accordingly.
- To maintain appropriate computerised and paper filing systems of financial information in accordance with MITU’s process and procedures.
- To manage the MITU fixed asset register in collaboration with the procurement team, thereby ensure that this is fully updated.
- To assist Investigators during proposal budget preparation and to also help with setting up of budgets within the MITU finance systems.
- To assist with the monthly payroll, including the reviewing of overtime claims forms and ensure that all overtime claims are accurate and in line with MITU’s processes and procedures.
- To provide financial information and advice to other MITU colleagues as and when required.
- To liaise with MITU senior staff and collaborating institutions on any administrative issues.
- Promote MITU, its core values and services, and play a positive role in the delivery of its day-to-day operations and strategic goals.
- To carry out other duties relevant to the post as and when requested.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential criteria for selection
- A relevant accounting qualification, degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a professional accounting qualification (CPA/ACCA or equivalent).
- A minimum of 5 years experience working within a similar organisation preparing management accounts using computerised software packages.
- Excellent financial software knowledge such as ERP Navision, SUN, QuickBooks.
- Excellent financial report-writing skills and the ability to communicate financial information easily to be understood and in a clear format.
- Proven experience of preparing and monitoring budgets and financial reports.
- Strong organisational skills with proven ability to work effectively within a team, assess priorities and manage workload with minimum supervision.
- Proven experience of good written and oral communication skills in English.
- Experience of managing restricted/unrestricted income and expenditure accounting and reporting.
- Experience of managing grants from international Donor such as DFID, ERC, MRC, USAID etc.
- Self-motivation and effective time management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Desirable criteria for selection
- Experience of working within the development sector e.g., Non-governmental Organisations (INGO’s or NGO).
- Experience of working within a Research Institution/Organisation.
MODE OF APPLICATION
E-mail applications to recruitment@mitu.or.tz with the following:
- Detailed supporting statement/letter – Whereby each section should set out how your qualifications, experience and skills meet each of the essential and desirable criteria within the person specification. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. An answer to any of the criteria such as “Please see attached CV” will not be considered acceptable.
- Please include a daytime mobile telephone number and e-mail contact details.
- Curriculum vitae (CV) including names and addresses of two referees (one must be from your most recent employer or training institution).
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION
- Applications received later than 26th February 2021 will not be considered.
- You will be informed by email if selected for interview and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Interviews will be held in the following weeks at the NIMR Mwanza Centre, Isamilo, Mwanza or remotely through zoom or other online platform.
According to studies, intimate partner violence – defined as physical, sexual or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse – is the most common form of violence experienced by women in relationships throughout the world. It is estimated that about one in every three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner during their lifetime.
This high rate of violence against women needs special attention, and it can’t be ignored. Luckily, Dr. Shelley Lees and her colleagues at Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) and the London School of Hygiene over the past 10 years have been working to find a solution to this common problem among women. This involves women attending in groups ten gender training sessions which were held in a convenient location within their community. This training was aimed to help them gain skills and knowledge to challenge physical and/or sexual violence from their male partners.
Recently, Dr. Lees and colleagues published part of their continuing work in the Journal of Culture, Health & Sexuality. This report provides information which helps to understand how gender training is helping women to change their attitudes and overcome violence. The study interviewed a subset of women who participated in a large trial implemented by MITU (called the MAISHA trial) to find out if it is possible to reduce violence among women in Mwanza city, Tanzania. From women’s views, gender training, which seeks to develop political awareness and transformation, can promote change amongst participants through a collective learning process. And this change brings a sense of confidence, worth, and power among women who participated in gender training to enable them to challenge violence.
The findings from this study bring hope to the fight to end violence against women in Tanzania.
Menstruation – the monthly genital bleeding experienced by women after reaching puberty – is a big problem among school girls in many parts of the world. Girls generally feel shame when the bleeding leaks on their school uniforms, get laughed at or teased by boys, lack soap, water or private places to change, clean or dry menstrual pads, or lack ways to reduce pains while at school. These problems have been reported to limit girl‘s participation in some school activities that require to stand or walk to the front of the class to answer a question or demonstrate something. They also cause girls to leave school early, miss some classes, stay at home during the days they are bleeding or leave school for good before the end of their school years.
MITU has received funds from the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) to carry out this study that will help address the problems related to menstruation and contribute in improved reproductive health.
Dr Elialilia Okello, a senior MITU research scientist, is leading this three-year study which will take place in eight secondary schools in Mwanza and Kilimanjaro regions. MITU will be implementing this study together with Femme International, a local non-governmental organisation working in Tanzania; the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK; and local government leaders in the two regions.
The study has three main stages. The first stage is the review of a health education programme implemented by Femme International and develop a plan to bring on board boys and local government leaders in the programme. This will help the boys and the leaders to understand issues related to menstruation and offer their support to girls during that period instead of laughing or teasing them. The study will recommend ways of giving out reusable sanitary pads at school and improving school water supply, toilet and hand washing facilities to help girls have the menstrual products, safe and private places to change or clean and dry the pads. The first stage will also include looking for ways to relief girls from pain during menstruation.
The second stage will involve researchers working with local government leaders and school teachers, to look at ways of including the improved health education programme in the routine school activities. The third stage will involve the assessment of the improved health education programme to see if it can be delivered in a long-term at lower cost, and is accepted by students, teachers and local government leaders. The programme will also be evaluated to see if it helps to change what girls do during their menstruation period and how they think about it.
Although the focus of this study is on problems related to menstruation among girls, it is expected that the boys will get a chance to understand issues related to menstruation as well as benefit from improved water supply, toilet and handwashing facilities at school. Apart from boys, the results are expected to benefit teachers, school officials and the general community. The study will also contribute in improved school participation and performance among school girls.
“During menstruation, girls are usually worried about the blood leaking into clothes while in class. A girl who stains her clothes in class is laughed at. Some girls experience severe pain and may need pain killers. Due to these problems girls may not be comfortable to attend a school with poor facilities or services to support them during this period” Dr Okello says. “Many times they miss attending school for several days each month and their performance may go down“
Dr Okello feels this study came at the right time. “In July 2017 I joined MITU to work in a research that was trying to assess if washing hands with soap every time school children used the toilet will help to reduce worm infection” she says. “The project gave me a chance to work within the schools. It is during this time that I realised that we needed to do more to help adolescent girls gain knowledge, skills and basic resources to manage their menstruation”
