Job Description

Main purpose of the job:

• Coordinate and manage all CHAMPS (Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance Study) programme streams cohesively and strategically working closely with the CHAMPS Principal Investigator and the CHAMPS stream leads

Location:

• Wits Vaccines & Infectious Diseases Analytics (VIDA) Research Unit, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto - Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

Research programme development and implementation including programme management and epidemiology oversight

• In conjunction with the respective Principal Investigator/s (PI) manages the full scope of the study conduct including protocol development and implementation, reports and reporting, and publications according to all applicable organisational and sponsor-mandated standards
• Collate and formalise all cross-functional efforts to efficiently and effectively achieve study objectives and goals
• Ensure consolidated epidemiology coherence across different programme streams
• Manage the programme organisational plan as set out in the project plan and in conjunction with the respective PI and other necessary stakeholders
• Escalate and manage the resolution of all relevant issues to the required and respective line authorities including PI, sponsor and others as required
• Writing of manuscripts, protocols and grant proposals as required and in conjunction with respective manager and/or PI
• Compile accurate, factual, reliable and strategically aligned reports to the various stakeholders as per sponsor, PI, government department and organisation requirements including recommendations based on research findings
• Strategic leadership contribution and participation in management committee/s as required and determined per organisational design and strategy development

Research output and academic promotion

• Writing of Manuscripts, protocols and grants as required and in conjunction with your respective line manager and/or PI
• Attending and presenting research findings at scientific conferences
• Establishing an academic record in line with the staffing and promotion guidelines of the Faculty of Health Sciences (Research, Teaching and Academic citizenship)
• Supervision of Masters and PhD students

Stakeholder Relations and Community Engagement

• Effectively liaise with all relevant internal and external stakeholders to meet programme goals
• Prepare and facilitate presentations, meetings and events for sponsors and other stakeholders as required
• Provide support to other research sites, district hospitals and district health facilities where necessary e.g., community outreach projects, staff training, and implementation of protocols as required
• Oversee community liaison strategy and implementation in support of all relevant studies and programmes
• Act in a professional and friendly manner in all dealings with all stakeholders
• Show a high level of customer centricity at all times
• Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations and communicate appropriately with initiative and solutions
• Compile accurate, factual reports to the various stakeholders as per Sponsor, P.I, Government Department and Unit requirements including recommendations based on research findings
• Reports are to be completed timeously and through the various project stakeholders
• Ensure regulatory compliance between the VIDA and external sites

Administration, quality and compliance

• Provide oversight of quality assurance processes to ensure accurate and timely data collection and management
• Ensure regulatory compliance of all applicable programmes and between the organisation and external sites/partners as may apply
• Oversee the administration component or relevant research projects and programme streams including finance, human and material resources
• Liaise with all shared services, departmental and executive management to ensure effective administration of studies and programmes in line with company procedures and policies

Staff management

• Attend to all staffing requirements for programmes and studies including short, medium and long-term resource planning across multiple grants and cost centres
• Supervise and manage the duties of subordinates to ensure optimal staff utilisation and maintenance of sound labour relations; lead cross-functional teams to promote productivity within projects
• Manage staff performance and performance of reporting teams to ensure productivity, performance management and appropriate corrective action as required
• Oversight of staff development, and provision of mentorship and/or coaching
• Promote harmony, teamwork and sharing of information In line with company standards
• Create an environment that promotes talent recognition, development as well as agency and individual leadership
• Ensure teams comply with policies, applicable standards and administrative and internal communications requirements, and promote the organisation's values and strategies

Effective self-management and performance ownership

• Take ownership and accountability for responsibility areas, demonstrate effective self-management, develop team and individual leadership and collaboration to support combined and individual objectives
• Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of own work are consistently and accurately maintained
• Take ownership of driving your career development by participating in ongoing training and development activities such as workshops, forums, etc.
• Support and drive the business's core values, maintain a positive attitude respond openly and constructively to feedback and contribute to decision-making
• Attend leadership meetings

Required minimum education and training:

• PhD Degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or related field

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum 8 years of working experience as an epidemiologist in a research environment, with at least 5 years experience at senior management level overseeing grant-funded programs and large epidemiology studies or surveillance systems
• Expert-level experience with large databases and complex research data analyses
• Proven track record in research grant application and multi-level collaborations with local and international collaborators/stakeholders
• In-depth understanding of South African health systems and experience working with the Department of Health
• Proven scientific publication record with at least

Professional body registration:

• Registration with the HPCSA

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: 15 January 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