Senior Research Project Manager

SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT MANAGER

FIVE (5) YEARS FIXED-TERM CONTRACT

EAST LONDON, BUFFALO CITY METRO

EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) is a registered non-profit organization focused on the pursuit of excellence in research, treatment, training and prevention of HIV and related infections in Southern Africa.

The main purpose of this position is to lead the implementation, coordination, and monitoring of the research study protocol, as well as to ensure the execution of all research activities/operations.

Minimum Requirements:

• Honours Degree in Developmental Studies / Business Management / Public Health / Behavioral-Social Sciences / Organization or Industrial Psychology or related field
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience managing or coordinating the start-up, implementation and closure of complex research projects
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a leadership/managerial capacity
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in stakeholder engagement activities
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice
• Knowledge of compliance to ethics and regulatory documentation
• Quality Assurance and Quality Control skills, including drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
• Monitoring and Evaluation skills
• Must be fluent in isiXhosa and English
• Valid code 8 driver’s license and willingness to travel independently between public clinic facilities
• Highly functional in computer skills – Microsoft Word, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Visio, Excel, PowerPoint, REDCAP and Outlook Express
• High functional administration and organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work independently and part of a team

Advantageous:

• Previous experience as a Project Manager or Study Coordinator in clinical research environment
• Master’s degree in public health, Implementation Science, or related field
• Project Management qualification
• Valid GCP certificate
• Strong knowledge of the South African National HIV Management Guidelines
• Previous experience managing and implementing HIV focused research programs/projects in the Eastern Cape Province
• Knowledge of research methodology, especially quantitative and qualitative methods
• Knowledge of data quality assurance and control (QA/QC) processes
• Knowledge of using data for quality improvement

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the implementation of DTHF research studies in BCM Health District
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the research project including participant recruitment and enrolment, line management of facility-based and field-based staff and project logistics
• Working closely with the project Primary Investigator, Operations Manager, Primary Project Leads and Data Manager to ensure project governance and that implementation happens in line with the highest ethical and research standards and regulations
• Maintain a strong relationship with all relevant local, clinic and district stakeholders and provide these regularly with written and verbal updates on project progress to these stakeholders
• Provide comprehensive feedback on project progress, successes, and challenges to the Research Team Leadership and the (inter-)national project collaborators
• Operationalizing study protocols into practical Manual of Procedures (MoP)
• Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be included in study (MoP)
• Assist with the development of electronic patient tracking and monitoring tools to guide study implementation and generating reports
• Development of study source documents in line with good clinical practices specifications - Lead the development of job descriptions, screening, interviewing and appointing of project staff
• Training, mentoring and performance management of project staff
• Ensuring that ethical and regulatory requirements are fulfilled in line with GCP and IRB guidelines
• Ensuring complete and accurate data collection
• Oversee the management and quality control of all study documentation (case report forms (CRFs), research materials, investigator files, etc.)
• Oversee and manage DTHF research activities and maintain relationships with site stakeholders
• Procurement and management of assets within DTHF protocols
• Developing and presenting detailed reports of ongoing study progress against milestones and deliverables

Values fit: Passion Innovation Progress Integrity Respect Excellence

Submit a detailed cover letter, updated CV with certified copy of highest qualification and details of two (2) current contactable referees in a single PDF file by 03 July 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you are a foreign national applying for this position, please attach a copy of your work permit to your application.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

If you have not heard from us within four weeks after the closing date, please consider your application as unsuccessful.

We are committed to equity in our employment practices. It is our intention to appoint individuals with the aim of meeting our equity objectives. We reserve the right not to appoint if no suitable candidates are identified.

This job may be removed before it expires.

Desmond Tutu Health Foundation is a child-friendly organization committed to the protection of children.

For more information about the organization please visit our website.