Job Description

Main purpose of the job:

• To design and implement research projects on climate change and health, analyze study findings, publish scientific articles and lead grant applications
• Work with multi-disciplinary research groups across Africa, in the EU, UK and USA
• Contribute to projects funded by the Wellcome Trust and European Union in the Implementation Science Directorate
• These projects will generate evidence to mount a response to climate change in Africa
• We document the health impacts of heat waves and extreme heat on vulnerable populations in Africa, including pregnant women, infants, and healthcare workers, and we assess the effectiveness of interventions to reduce these impacts

Location:

• The position requires working in both the Parktown, Johannesburg & Hatfield, Pretoria (Tshwane) offices alternately

Key performance areas:

• Lead research and study design
• Write research protocols and SOPs for studies
• Participate in discussions regarding the future direction of research strategies and plans for Wits RHI
• Obtain ethical approval from relevant regulatory bodies
• Develop and design research tools
• Conduct fieldwork, when required (data collection, interviews, etc.)
• Monitor the progress of research project
• Ensure data quality is maintained
• Write progress reports to stakeholders including networks and funders
• Stay abreast with relevant research findings and collaborate closely with other investigators on related studies
• Conduct data analysis (with input from statistical team) and write up results
• Publish scientific publications
• Compile conference presentations
• Disseminate research findings internally and to universities and others stakeholders such the community, CABs
• Lead the development of funding proposals
• Contribute to research and funding proposals led by other team members
• Advise Wits RHI leadership on research opportunities and media
• Contribute towards policy development
• Train team and other relevant staff on protocols, SOPs, Project implementation and relevant research methodology
• Supervise post graduate students (1/year)
• Attend to all staffing requirements and administration
• Supervise and manage the duties of subordinates to ensure optimal staff utilisation and maintenance of sound labour relations
• Perform and facilitate performance development and assessments
• Identify substandard performance by team members and take necessary corrective action
• Coach and train subordinates and team members to ensure the acquisition of knowledge and skills required by the organisation
• Promote harmony, teamwork and sharing of information
• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrates effective self management
• Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of own work are consistently and accurately maintained
• Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback
• Take ownership for driving own career development in attending training and development sessions and relevant forums/meetings
• Maintain and update knowledge of developments in field and expertise

Required minimum education and training:

• PhD in appropriate related discipline OR Epidemiology OR MBBCH with a public health higher Degree

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum 5-8 years research experience
• Management of research programme/s
• Research record with ongoing output evidenced by at least eight published refereed papers
• Experience in grant/proposal and fundraising
• Membership of Professional ,School, Faculty, Department Committees and/or taking leadership roles in the Public Health domain within the Public or NGO sectors

Professional body registration:

• HPCSA

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:

• Experience in independently implementing observational or interventional research studies
• Prior lecturing, tutoring or postgraduate supervision experience
• Certification in good clinical practice
• Experience working in a low or middle income country
• Experience working in large collaborative networks
• Familiarity with quantitative data analysis software
• Ordered, systematic and analytical in approach to research
• Tactful, respectful and non-judgmental
• Good administrative skills with high-level working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines
• Self motivated, able to work independently and work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Assertive, confident and adaptable

Demands of the job:

• National and international travel with and overtime/weekends may be required from time to time
• Working in rural areas or under-resourced and/or unpleasant circumstances may be experienced from time to time
• Work in a highly pressurised environment

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 and complete your registration on Ditto Hire (our application tracking system) to enable and protect you as a candidate to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions. This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL. However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market.
• 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: 20 September 2024.
• 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.

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