Communications Co-Ordinator
Perinatal Mental Health Project
Caring for mothers. Caring for the future.
Research Officer
Perinatal Mental Health Project
The Perinatal Mental Health Project (PMHP) is a project within the Mental Health & Poverty Project (MHaPP) of the Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health. The PMHP has been operating for more than seven years in the public health service, providing a multidisciplinary mental health service for pregnant and postnatal women. In addition to service development, the Project engages with research, training and advocacy work. The Project has received several local and international awards for its achievements.
The Project requires the assistance of a full-time Research Officer, for appointment from 1 August on a 6 month contract. The appointee will be based at the PMHP offices on UCT’s Sawkins Road campus, but will visit the research site in Hanover Park.
The job will involve co-ordination of the PMHP’s research activities. This includes the validation of a brief mental health screening tool to be used for pregnant women in low-resource settings.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Co-ordination of the Validation Study including;
- Liaison with Community Health Centre site personnel and health managers at the DoH re set-up of study
- Recruitment, liaison and supervision of study staff
- Facilitate training of study staff
- Finalising selection and preparation of research tools
- Set-up of data-base for data collection
- Ongoing site management including protocol logistics
- Data cleaning
- Co-ordination (recruitment and facilitation) of other researchers working through the PMHP on related research
- Analysis of research data
- Drafting of research reports for funders and local stakeholders
- Contribute to the dissemination of research findings through publications / presentations
- Contribution to other research projects of the PMHP on an as needs basis with possible duties as above.
Applicants should have the following skills and attributes:
- Masters degree in Public Health, Psychology, Development Studies or other relevant discipline
- Good interpersonal, organisational and time management skills
- Excellent academic and report-writing skills
- Experience of project management at community level
- Track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals
- ability to work well as member of a team as well as independently
- Valid driving license and own car
Additional recommendations:
- Interest in women’s mental health, health systems development, gender
- Understanding of issues concerning HIV and mental health
Further information on the Perinatal Mental Health Project is available at annual remuneration for 2009 is between R173 000 and R 265 000, and will be based on qualifications and experience.The remuneration for 2010 is currently under review.
To apply please email the completed UCT Application form and all other relevant documentation as indicated on the form to , Perinatal Mental Health Project Co-ordinator, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Building B, 46 Sawkins Road, Rondebosch 7700.
To download UCT Application form:
Tel: 021 689 8390;Fax: 086 648 2844
Closing date:31 March 2010
Reference number for this post:2168
An application which does not comply with the above requirements will be regarded as incomplete.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
UCT is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress. Our Employment Equity Policy is available at .
FHS_PMHP_ResearchOfficer_long_Mar10.doc