Job Purpose
The postholder(s) will join the research data collection team supporting researchers based at the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Unit's Population Health Research Facility (PHRF). This team specialises in supporting the delivery of population and community-based research projects.
The key area of responsibility will be supporting data collection activities in community-based health related studies using varied data collection tools. Tasks include taking informed consent, distributing, and verifying self- complete questionnaires; collecting other personal data, taking, and recording physical measures (e.g. weight and height), tissue/fluid samples and study associated administration. Data collection will be completed in a variety of community locations ( e.g. participant homes, schools, prisons, sports stadia ) and can often be located outside the Central Belt, so postholders should be prepared for travel across Scotland and out with normal office hours, including overnight stays.
This specific data collection role will require staff to travel within the immediate Glasgow area, working in small teams, and collecting data on mobile/tablet devices from people within their own homes. Additional equipment administration may also be required. Staff will be responsible for logging and maintaining updates on their location and status and may need to work evening and weekends.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Data Collection: Work independently or as part of a team collecting data from project participants: follow defined quality standards, data protection laws and internal data management policies to collate the data via face-to-face interviews or through remote applications by administering the questionnaires or requesting participants to self-complete surveys using paper, electronic or online questionnaire ensuring that all information is entered accurately into the project database. Responsible for obtaining various physical measures ensuring collection, recording, storage and download is completed in accordance with current data protection laws, internal data management policies and study protocols. Ensure equipment are prepared and calibrated correctly before use and issues reported to supervisors.
2. Communication: Responsible for delivering the participant recruitment and data collection element of the study protocol. The post holder will be required to communicate effectively and professionally with the project team by telephone, email, and in person, regularly about progress in relation to all elements of their duties. Input to regular briefings to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement to the study team. Act as a point of contact with project participants: provide clear advice on the project processes to ensure that all participants understand what is required of them. Using experience, initiative and judgement to seek resolution to detected issues, and when required escalating to supervisors.
3. Health & Safety: Evaluate situations during fieldwork: using initiative, judgement and experience to assess any risks to yourself, colleagues or participants and follow Unit protocols in handling these. During data collection the post holder should assess participants ability to complete project related assessments and adapt as necessary (e.g. taking breaks, stopping data collection). Ensure own personal/team safety and ensure that any incidents are recorded in line with project protocols. Adhere to the University health and safety risk assessment training and ensure full use of the Lone Worker Safety system where appropriate.
4. Project Planning: Prioritise, plan and schedule delegated activities from the PHRF Management team or Data Collection Leads to ensure delivery of the project within required standards. Ensure that all study protocols and research governance guidelines are adhered to at all times including safeguarding and adverse event protocols.
5. Administration: Deliver range of administrative tasks including conducting risk assessments, complete online expense forms and timesheets and voucher management. Complete project data collection and monitoring reports and support existing standard processes and maximise project continuity. To ensure that all monetary vouchers issued for fieldwork purposes are stored and processed securely for audit compliance.
6. Development: Attend regular briefings, training and feedback sessions for each project to ensure up-to-date knowledge of any changes to research processes and procedures. When required, coaching peers to ensure operational consistency across project sites.
7. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the PHRF Management Team.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1. Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role.
Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 5 or 6 (National 5 or 6, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 2 or 3) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role
Skills
Essential:
C1. Proficient understanding of confidentiality and how this should be applied and an understanding of the need to comply with research governance and study protocols.
C2. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with proven ability to engage with others and explain complex concepts in an easily understandable manner.
C3. Good time management and organisational skills including proactive planning, prioritising tasks and working under pressure to meet project requirements and deadlines.
C4. Ability to work independently and flexibly within a multidisciplinary team on a range of complex tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.
C5. Well-developed analytical and problem-solving capability, including using initiative and judgement to resolve challenges independently and awareness of when to respond directly and when to escalate.
C6. An interest in social science or public health research.
C7. Detailed knowledge of relevant systems, equipment, (Mobile, Tablet, Laptop), processes and procedures including software packages (Zoom, Microsoft Outlook, Teams etc) to undertake data collection effectively.
C8. Flexible approach to work including hours worked, start and finish times and may include some evenings and weekends.
Desirable:
D1. Experience of community-based data collection, following health and safety protocols to conduct data collection.
D2. Knowledge of good research practice and methodology and the ethical issues surrounding research including current Data Protection Regulations and Research Governance.
D3. Experience of community-based data collection, recording surveys on a mobile/tablet device.
D4. Experience of community-based data collection through door-to-door cold calling.
Experience
Essential
E1. Experience in dealing with the public (in this case project participants) and make sound decisions on when to respond directly and when to escalate to supervisors.
Additional Information:
Candidates must have PVG in place prior to commencing data collection.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 4, £22,681 - £25,138 per annum.
This post is full time and fixed term from 1.6.24 until 3.8.24.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme
The post for which you are applying is considered “registered work” in terms of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act. It requires the successful applicant to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member prior to appointment. This check is necessary to ensure that the University of Glasgow fulfils its legal duties under the Act. If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be subject to PVG Scheme membership. Further information is available at: https: // www. mygov.scot/pvg-scheme/
Please note that under Section 34(1) of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 it is a criminal offence to apply to carry out or to carry out regulated work from which that individual is barred.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https: // www. gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Vacancy Ref : 144688 Close Date : 09-May-2024 23:45