Fieldwork Interviewer

For more than 35 years, Médecins du Monde (MdM), a campaigning medical organization committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations at home and abroad. It has continued to highlight obstacles that exist in accessing health care and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies. Those working for this independent organization do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations. MdM currently works in 44 countries across all continents where it focuses on 4 priority areas: caring for the health of migrants and displaced persons, promoting sexual and reproductive health, combating HIV and reducing the harm and risks associated with drug use, crises and conflicts. Since 2011 the conflict between the Syrian army and the opposition has resulted in massive displacements of the population within the country and into neighboring countries, particularly to Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. Following assessments in these countries, MdM activities started on Syrian borders in May 2012, offering primary and specialized healthcare services for refugee and displaced Syrian populations. MdM has been working in Lebanon for nearly 30 years and specifically on the response to the Syrian crisis since 2012. The goal of MdM in Lebanon is to offer care to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese affected by this crisis. Currently, medical assistance is provided through 4 partners in 5 primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) in the Bekaa and Mount Lebanon. MdM is also providing mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) services to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese in 4 PHCCs in the Bekaa and Beirut. As a complement to its usual activities, MdM in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and the Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy & Applied Care (IDRAAC) in Beirut will conduct a new NIH-funded international research study that will explore the biological pathways of psychological risk and resilience in Syrian refugee children. It is well established that children exposed to war are at increased risk for the development of mental health problems. However, some children show remarkable psychological resilience. In order to better understand the biological underpinnings of resilience this new study aims to explore the interplay between psychosocial, neuroendocrine, epigenetic, and genetic factors in more than 1,000 Syrian refugee children based in Lebanon.    Main objective:                                  Working under the direction of the Fieldwork Team Leader, the Fieldwork Interviewer will be working in a team of interviewers in the data collection phase of the study. Training will be provided to the post-holder to ensure that he/she develop all necessary knowledge and skills to conduct data collection, manage his/her team, and coordinate the collection with other teams (e.g., collecting, storing, and transporting biological samples, etc.).                            Main responsibilities Assisting in sampling, recruitment, consenting participants, data collection (questionnaires and biological samples), documentation, data upload and entry, securing labelling and storage of biological samples (e.g., saliva and hair), Ensuring that the study is conducted to a high standard of ethics, privacy and according to the protocol. Main responsibilities and activities of the Interviewer can change according to the organization of the work and to the composition of the team.   Main activities 1. Data collection Ensure you are well prepared and that you have all the needed tools, kits, tablets, forms, surveys, stationery, etc.) and that you are organized for every day field trips Conduct data collection with team members: Recruitment of participants Consenting of participants and documentation of work Complete surveys with participants and upload data Collect biological samples (hair and saliva), label samples, store samples Ship samples to Beirut for proper storage Upload data from tablets onto the server on a daily basis Ensure utmost privacy and respect during collection Manage daily work in coordination with other team members and the Team Leader Ensure that data is entered into study databases/ uploaded on the server Assist the Team Leader in documentation and filing of any paper work as well as labelling, storage, and shipment of samples 2. Referral management Assess needs of participants for further referrals Refer participants to Team Leader Collect any requested information concerning referrals in coordination with designated personnel under the supervision of the Team Leader 3. Logistics management Ensure that all MdM property is well-preserved and ready for daily collection (recharge tablets, batteries for tools, etc.) Assess the needs of additional tools and kits ahead of time and communicate any needs to your Team Leader to ensure smooth flow of the collection Coordinate daily field trips with Team Leader as well as other team members 4. Coordination and communication Exchange information on a daily basis with the Team Leader and other team members as needed Participate in regular/weekly meetings with the Field Work Coordinator, Team Leader, and all the teams involved in data collection Communicate your needs to the Team Leader (whether field/collection-related or skills-related) Plan annual leave for your team members and Team Leader, under the supervision of the Field Work Coordinator to ensure there is sufficient resource available at all times 5. Reporting Report challenges immediately to Team Leader and document all challenges, obstacles, and solutions in an oral and written format Submit daily and weekly reports on collection, progress, challenges, referrals, etc. to the Team Leader as requested Support the Team Leader in the monthly reporting, pertaining to the collection’s progress, recruitment, challenges, updates, and solutions Requested competences/skills/profile Professional skills and experience required: Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject pertaining (but not limited) to: Psychology, Case Management, Social Work, Social Sciences, Education or any related field Fresh graduates (some experience in data collection is an asset) Experience in humanitarian and development context will be an asset Knowledge of refugee situation related to the conflict in Syria, understanding of Syrian culture, and the effects of displacement on the community Awareness of mental health issues related to war and displacement Ability to work in a volatile security context and to apply strict security rules Professional skills required: Good computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) Good writing skills Good coordination and organizational skills, including time management and prioritization of work Ability to maintain accurate and up to date records Personal skills required: Excellent team spirit Excellent oral communication skills; excellent listening skills; excellent interviewing skills, ability to be diplomatic Reactivity, anticipation, and adaptability Ability to take initiatives to changing requirements High sense of confidentiality, ethics, and accountability Sense of cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity Confident Languages: English (for reporting and communicating) Arabic (native speaker level): mandatory