Job Description

Main purpose of the job:

• To design, implement, and facilitate research projects, analyze qualitative and quantitative research data, and publish scientific articles informed by research outputs

Location:

• Wits VIDA, Nurses Residence, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto - Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

Social Science Research

• Design, implement, and oversee research projects (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods)

• Lead study design, protocols, research tools, feasibility, and analysis
• Drive effective and efficient administration, project planning, and management including timelines, budgets, resource allocation and cost-effectiveness, deliverables, dependencies, and compliance
• Oversee and maintain all ethics and regulatory compliance
• Outlining of study sampling criteria and identifying study participants as per protocols
• Organizing and conducting interviews, focus groups, and other approaches with relevant study population as per sampling criteria
• Effectively and efficiently completing and overseeing quality interview transcriptions
• Perform and oversee data/thematic analysis in line with project requirements
• Provide regular data analysis and collection progress reports
• Develop, design, implement, and monitor research progress with study teams through project management tools, milestones, and process flows, ensuring productivity and timely outputs
• Prepare and present reports (internal and external)
• Oversee data management and collection requirements from design and brief to quality and implementation of quality assurance processes and reporting
• Collaborate with partners and various internal and external stakeholders as necessary
• Analyse data (qualitative and quantitative) following project, research leadership, and publication requirements, including developing and documenting analysis plans and methodologies
• Produce and increase academic outputs inclusive of policy briefs, peer-reviewed publications, and conference presentations

• Oversee and lead a minimum of three publications per year
• Oversee and develop the scientific writing capability of staff including own team and others involved in social science research outputs in the unit, including, for example, but not limited to, training on literature reviews
• Produce and increase outputs such as policy briefs and conference presentations
• Lead monitoring and evaluation plan for research portfolio and applicable projects in conjunction with relevant teams
• Contribute to strengthening and effective management and analysis of social science and impact components of existing and flagship research studies

Research and academic development

• Drive own academic development and promotion following all university and unit expectations, including but not limited to research, teaching, and academic citizenship
• Demonstrate peer-learning and knowledge sharing; proactively build research portfolio
• Pursue own research interests consistent with the overall research agenda of VIDA and in conjunction with the research leadership team
• Write, design, and submit or contribute to new proposals
• Demonstrate active research interest and familiarity with relevant published research

Research Administration

• Take initiative to ensure all study start-up and close-out requirements are met
• Oversee adequate and accurate digital and hard-copy filing and applicable archiving of all study-related files
• Support and drive donor and business compliance including but limited to procurement, timesheets, and sponsor reports
• Ensure necessary meetings, presentations, and site/field visits take place
• Liaise with government departments and attend stakeholder meetings as required
• Maintain operational, finance, logistics, and stock records for applicable projects
• Effectively drive study-related communications, data collation, and results dissemination with applicable required departments/collaboration; generate all required operational and research-related reports
• Drive publications-related administration and unit/university-required marketing input

Ethics, regulatory, and quality assurance

• Oversee and maintain all relevant ethics and regulatory compliance
• Ensure project and/or departmental alignment with all policies and procedures
• Develop and implement relevant Standard Operating Procedures and training programs
• Ensure Good Clinical Practice and research ethics principles are upheld

Impact and Community Engagement

• Oversee community engagement strategies required for specific studies and support community engagement and impact assessment where required
• Support community advisory boards and engagement as required and drive own project community engagement plans
• Support impact planning and analysis as required

Customer and stakeholder relations

• Build and maintain authentic, professional relationships and communicate effectively and efficiently with all internal stakeholders (suppliers, collaborators, researchers, donors, etc.)
• Train staff effectively; foster a practice of knowledge exchange and peer learning
• Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations and communicate appropriately with initiative and solutions
• Maintain a high standard of successful internal and external stakeholder relations (e.g. negotiations, building productive relationships)
• Escalate issues appropriately, ensuring adequate discretion and risk management, and demonstrate integrated problem-solving
• Effectively manage work processes, teams, and relationships to maintain high levels of productivity

Staff management and capacity development

• Capacity development

• Contribute towards the development of team/company knowledge by identifying relevant training needs and topics
• Develop and deliver relevant training material and presentations and contribute to internal knowledge sharing in areas of expertise
• Conduct ad hoc research training interventions i.e. Journal Clubs, Writing Series, Research Methodology Course
• Participate actively in research leadership groups and fora
• Student supervision
• Staff management

• Lead cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams to promote productivity within projects; effectively supervise and manage staff duties and targets and maintain sound labor relations
• Work with management to empower and develop teams or individuals as skills needs or deficiencies are identified
• Foster an environment that promotes talent recognition, development as well as agency and individual leadership; promote harmony, teamwork, and sharing of information
• Mentor, coach and facilitate personal and professional staff development wherever possible
• Ensure teams comply with policies, unit standards, and administrative and internal communications requirements; promote company policies, strategies, and values at all times
• Manage staff effectively including performance, conduct, efficient working, processes, and corrective action as required
• Demonstrate effective delegation and decision-making

Effective self-management

• Take ownership and accountability for tasks & activities and demonstrate effective self-management
• Actively and consistently maintain high standards of professionalism in all aspects of personal presentation and delivery
• Apply knowledge of the organizational systems, structures, policies, and procedures to achieve results
• Follow through to ensure that productivity standards are consistently and accurately maintained and provide appropriate resolution challenges
• Support and drive the organization's core values
• Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback; manage own disruptive emotions and stress
• Take ownership of driving your career development

Required minimum education and training:

• PhD in Sociology or Anthropology or related field

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum of 3 years experience working in a social science research environment with emphasis on planning, implementing, and managing research projects
• Demonstrable mixed methods research design and analysis experience
• Having proven stakeholder and community engagement will be an added advantage

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:

• Experience in journal article publication
• Ability to work under pressure
• Willingness to work extended hours
• Willingness to travel
• Deadline driven
• Must be able to work without supervision
• Must be willing to contribute towards publications
• Advanced computer literacy with an emphasis on working with NVivo

TO APPLY:

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
• Please Apply Online.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 23 February 2024.
• Note AJ Personnel is fully POPI compliant.
• Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.

Please note:

• AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.

Apply

Company Description

The Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics (VIDA) Research Unit of the University of the Witwatersrand, formerly RMPRU (Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit) has for over 20 years conducted numerous studies to assess the burden of and prevent vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD).

AJ Personnel