KEMRI/CDC Public Health Research and Collaboration Vacancy Advertisement

Vacancy No. K129/06/2010
Program description: The KEMRI/CDC program has expanded considerably in its research and program support activities. This program is collaboration between Kenya Medical Research Institute, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other organizations and donors.
It involves conducting research and programmatic support for activities related to malaria, HIV, tuberculosis and other diseases. Due to its continued growth in the area of clinical research, the Tuberculosis Research Branch has the following vacancies.
Position: Research Officers
2 Positions
Job Group MR11
Job Group P
Location: Nyanza Provincial General Hospital and/or Siaya District Hospital
Reports to: TB Branch Chief Tuberculosis Research Branch or the External PI of the Tuberculosis Trials
Consortium (TBTC) (a set of clinical trials for evaluating new TB drugs and new TB drug regimens).

Language: Proficiency in written and verbal English. Fluency in Kiswahili.
Essential Qualifications


  • Masters degree in pediatrics or internal medicine or public health
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery from a recognized university.
  • Minimum of 2 years clinical experience in out-patient/in-patient settings and TB clinics
  • Registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board;
Desirable Qualifications
  • Experience in a clinical research setup will be an added advantage
  • Experience managing tuberculosis
  • Experience with TB related research
  • Experience supervising a research project
  • Computer literacy in Microsoft office suite, Proficiency in Excel, Access or other database application, and internet research
  • Ability to prioritize workload of self and program team members and balance conflicting demands.
  • Ability to lead and work within a team environment and in a diverse cultural environment.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with staff and clients verbally and in writing.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, initiative and resourcefulness.
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Must be flexible to work within the existing structure
  • Ability to spend at least 50% time doing field work
  • Work in a professional and ethical manner with competence, accountability and integrity.
Position Summary:
Incumbent will be either the local Principal Investigator of the TBTC studies and will have an oversight of the medical, clinical and nursing teams in the execution of the medical requirements of the TB drug trials studies or be the study pediatrician for TB vaccine infant trials in Siaya District.
S/He will supervise the administration of the investigational products and be able to respond to medical
emergencies if they occur.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Supervise clinical personnel at multiple locations Kisumu or Siaya District
  • Develop an in-depth understanding of the study designs and goals, and ensure that studies are conducted in compliance with study protocols and other regulatory requirements
  • Authoring of the clinical SOPs for the study
  • See patients and perform physical exams in the outpatient department.
  • Attend to and give expert opinion on study patients in hospital and out patient facilities and oversee daily care.
  • Make diagnoses and decisions to admit patients according to study protocol
  • Oversee use of study drugs to the research participants
  • Accurately complete and check all study documents
  • Identify, report, and document adverse events and serious adverse events.
  • Develop protocols for execution and respond to reviewer and ethical review committee suggestions.
  • Provide medical advice and respond to clinical queries from the study staff, and to questions about the study posed by participants and others.
  • Conduct CMEs at the hospital and lead discussions with the clinical and nursing personnel
  • Report problems encountered during the study to designated personnel
  • Review study subjects before dosing when enrolled into TB vaccine trial/s orTB drug trials in Siaya/Kisumu
  • Oversee pediatric emergency care in Siaya
  • Oversee clinical teams in Kisumu and supervise pediatric TB diagnosis in Siaya
  • Participate in clinical working groups to oversee integration of care for participants enrolled into various KEMRI/CDC projects
  • Perform any other duties as assigned by the trial investigator’s project manager.
Terms of Employment:
The Contract is renewable at the option of the Program with agreement of the employee for six (6) one year periods after the initial period. Probation period for the first 3 months.
Remuneration: Compensation is negotiable within a relevant grade, based on educational levels, relevant experience and demonstrated competency. The salary scheme is based on the KEMRI scales plus supplemental amounts.
Applications MUST include the following:
  • Letter of Application (Indicate Vacancy Number)
  • Current Curriculum Vitae with telephone number and e-mail address
  • Three letters of reference with contact telephone numbers and e-mail addresses
  • Copies of Certificates, Diplomas or Transcripts
  • Contact telephone number.
Applications are due no later than: 9th July 2010
To:
Human Resource Manager,
KEMRI/CDC Program,
P.O. Box 1578, Kisumu.
Or e-mail to recruitment@ke.cdc.gov
Only short listed candidates will be contacted