Vacancies: Research Associates – Community mobilization of sex workers

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Vacancies for 2 Research Associates – Community mobilization of sex

workers

RESEARCH PROJECT: Community mobilization of sex workers

POSITION: Research Associates

LOCATION: Maharashtra & Kolkata

DURATION: 18 - 24 months

SALARY: Generous salary, commensurate with experience

LAST DATE: 15 January 2007

Brief description of the project

An exciting opportunity has arisen for 2 Research Associates to take

on positions of responsibility in an international research project

on community mobilization of sex workers for HIV prevention.

This project is a collaboration between Glasgow Caledonian University, the

London School of Economics, and two Indian sex worker

organizations, one in Maharashtra, the other in Kolkata.

The project is titled " The social conditions for effective community

mobilization: Learning from sex worker led projects in India " , and

aims to understand the factors that have led to the successes of two

exceptional sex worker organizations. Two Research Associates will

be recruited, one to work in Sangli, Maharashtra (may be based in

Mumbai and travel for extended visits to Sangli), the other to work

in Kolkata. The duration of the posts will be between 18 and 24

months.

The Research Associates will be responsible for liaising with the

sex worker organizations, managing data collection, and managing the

development and dissemination of learning materials as a result of

the research. They will also carry out some of the data collection,

will do interpretation for English-speaking colleagues, will

contribute to data analysis, writing up, and holding dissemination

and training workshops. They will receive training and full support

from very experienced UK-based colleagues in all of this work, but

they will also have to take initiative in the field and work

independently. This is a unique opportunity to learn from two very

inspiring sex worker organizations about how to make community

development succeed. The post-holders will gain experience of all

phases of a research project of the highest international quality.

They will contribute to publications and dissemination, and will

have opportunities to travel abroad, to the UK and elsewhere, for

conferences. All travel expenses will be fully covered.

Key responsibilities

Managing data collection, transcription of interviews and

dissemination

Liaising with sex worker organizations and various local

stakeholders

Arranging and timetabling interviews to make effective use of

colleagues' time

Acting as interpreter for English-speaking colleagues during

interviews and meetings

Carrying out interviews with sex workers and a wide variety of

other local stakeholders

Contributing to data analysis

Contributing to write-up of user-friendly dissemination materials

and academic articles

Running dissemination workshops

Presenting findings at conferences

Additional relevant duties, as determined by the project

directors, as the project evolves

Competencies and qualifications

A Masters or PhD qualification in a Social Science subject

Relevant experience working with marginalized communities

Fluency in 3 languages: English, Hindi and either Marathi or

Bengali

Commitment to the empowerment of sex workers and the promotion of

their rights

Familiarity with working in very marginalized settings, such as

red light areas and slums

Strong communication skills and interpersonal skills

Basic understanding of issues regarding HIV, sexual health, and

community development

High problem-solving ability, and ability to work independently to

deadlines

Availability to travel within India and abroad

Experience of writing for academic publications would be an

advantage

The nature of these posts is quite flexible, and we encourage

informal inquiries from potential candidates. Please contact Dr

Flora Cornish if you would like to hear more about the post before

applying. Send an email in the first instance

(flora.cornish@...).

To apply, please send (i) a cover letter which explains how your

experience matches the requirements of the post, (ii) your

CV/resume, and (iii) the contact details of two people who may be

asked to write letters of recommendation, to Dr Flora Cornish,

email: flora.cornish@....

The closing date for applications is 15 January 2007. Interviews

will be held in March 2007, with a start date as soon as

possible thereafter.

Dr Flora Cornish

Caledonian Nursing & Midwifery Research Centre

Glasgow Caledonian University

Cowcaddens Rd

Glasgow G4 0BA

UK

Tel: +44 141 331 3029

Email: flora.cornish@...

<floracornish@...>