SBR Officer at American Friends of Mutala – Harare, Harare

Africa Clinical Research Network (ACRN) is an African-led clinical research organization building the next generation of trial capacity across the continent. We work with existing hospitals, research units, and investigators to enable high-quality clinical research—from investigator-initiated studies to late-phase and registration trials—while strengthening local systems, skills, and infrastructure.

ACRN operates as a pan-African site management and research delivery platform, combining strong clinical operations, regulatory expertise, data and digital systems, and quality management. Our model is practical and embedded: we focus on making trials work in real settings, reducing friction for sites, sponsors, and regulators, and delivering reliable, audit-ready data.

We partner closely with governments, regulators, academic institutions, and industry to expand Africa’s role in global clinical research, while ensuring that studies generate local value—through workforce development, institutional strengthening, and improved patient care.

At ACRN, you’ll work on meaningful, complex projects with global impact, alongside a multidisciplinary team that values rigor, accountability, and innovation. We are building something durable, ambitious, and distinctly African—and we are looking for people who want to help shape it.

About the role

Africa Clinical Research Network (ACRN) is seeking a highly motivated and proactive Social & Behavioral Research (SBR) Officer to support the development and implementation of SBR protocols across our research sites. The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening community relationships, promoting ethical research engagement, and ensuring high‑quality delivery of SBR activities that inform participant recruitment, retention, and broader community trust.

What you'll do

• Support the SBR Specialist in developing and implementing SBR protocols.
• Lead SBR data collection, transcription, and translation of interviews.
• Conduct preliminary analyses of SBR data.
• Assist with community mapping activities for SBR recruitment.
• Support the supervision of the SBR field team.
• Assist in developing participant‑facing IEC materials and manuscripts for publication.

• Support ethical recruitment and retention strategies for SBR participants.
• Ensure ethical informed consent processes for SBR activities.
• Support clinical trial participant mobilisation and retention when assigned.
• Assist in developing culturally appropriate recruitment materials.
• Monitor community feedback on SBR activities and escalate issues as needed.

• Use research findings to support the Community Engagement team in developing study‑specific CE plans.
• Plan and conduct community feedback activities using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Build and maintain relationships with communities, local authorities, health facilities, community leaders, and advocacy groups.
• Collaborate on community meetings, outreach events, and engagement activities.

• Support site readiness activities for SBR and clinical research implementation.

• Maintain accurate records of SBR field activities.
• Prepare weekly and monthly activity reports.
• Track recruitment metrics and monitor recruitment impact.

• Ensure compliance with GCP, ethical guidelines, and organizational standards.
• Promote ethical conduct during all SBR and community engagement activities.
• Ensure informed consent processes are culturally sensitive and properly conducted.
• Support regulatory and sponsor reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Community Development, Sociology, or a related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in research, community engagement, public health programs, or clinical research.
• Understanding of clinical research processes (added advantage).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Experience working in clinical trials or research environments.
• Knowledge of GCP and research ethics.
• Experience with mixed‑methods research.
• Basic experience in data analysis.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong stakeholder relationship management.
• Proficiency in qualitative data transcription and translation.
• Cultural sensitivity and ethical awareness.
• Strong documentation and reporting abilities.
• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Problem‑solving and conflict‑resolution skills.