Assistant Research Officer (Epidemiology)
Senior Project Manager
Project Coordinator
Programme Statistician
Reference Number
ARO-21/08/19
Job Purpose
The Health Services Unit (HSU) of the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust in
Nairobi is starting a multi-year study to evaluate a broad strategy to improve
the provision of neonatal care in Kenya’s county hospitals. The project will
study a multi-component intervention that links regular performance monitoring
and evaluation with efforts to improve the leadership, management and
supervision skills of senior medical and nursing staff. As part of this work
the research team helps support the Clinical Information Network that is a
partnership with multiple Kenyan county hospitals.
In each of these hospitals
there is a uniform strategy of capturing high quality routine data on all
Newborn Unit (NBU) admissions. These data are used to provide hospitals with
regular reports on the NBU’s mortality and morbidity and on their performance
in adhering to standard neonatal care guidelines as part of monitoring and
improving the quality of NBU care provided. When pooled these data from
multiple NBU become an important resource for understanding the outcomes of NBU
care at larger scale than has previously been possible.
Key Responsibility
The Clinical Information Network for Newborns (CIN-N) is now
seeking a new team member with epidemiological / statistical skills. The
assistant research officer will work as part of a team under the direction of
Study PI and the Senior Data Manager / Analyst for the CIN as part of the
statistics and data management team but with special responsibilities for
neonatal data. The person will:
·
Help manage the CIN-N data collection
process, ensure the high quality of data, continue to improve the data systems
and ensure these are adequately documented and ensure the production of timely
hospital feedback reports and aggregate hospital reports for sharing with
hospitals and other national stakeholders.
·
Help update / adapt the CIN-N data
collection system so that it meets the needs of new projects
·
Work closely with CIN team members
and assume some supervisory responsibility for ensuring hospital clerks are
effectively managed. This work may include travel to county hospital sites and
training / supervision of data clerks.
·
Liaise with senior CIN team members,
county hospitals’ hospital management teams, paediatricians, senior nurses and
HRIOs to ensure the smooth running of the CIN-N
·
Ensure the production of reports
using CIN-N data for Principal Investigators and for project funders as
required
·
Help present the data emerging from
the CIN-N at internal meetings and in hospitals
This position will be linked to two major new projects over the
next 3 to 4 years that are focused on improving hospital level care for sick
newborns. The planned work is also being conducted in partnership with the
Kenya Paediatric Association, the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium, and the
Ministry of Health as well as multiple county hospitals.
As part of a wider contribution to the KWTRP research programme
in Nairobi the post-holder may partake in or help conduct internal
epidemiological methodological workshops and shared learning sessions and will
be expected to contribute to and help organise internal seminars and journal
clubs and provide peer review of emerging proposals within KWTRP together with
other senior scientists
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
·
BSc in a Healthcare Subject,
Epidemiology or Medical/Bio Statistics
·
An excellent academic track record as
evidenced by grades for undergraduate training
·
One year experience of the conduct of
prior relevant research that has involved health data collection, analysis and
report writing
Preferable
·
Good understanding of the Kenyan
public health and hospital system and some understanding of DHIS2 and the
Kenyan Health Information System
·
Practical experience in data
management, data visualization, and basic methods of data analysis
·
Understanding of the procedures used
for ensuring high quality data collection and management
·
Basic skills in use of the
statistical programme ‘R’ or similar programmes such as STATA
·
Basic familiarity in using REDCap or
of similar data capture tools/software
·
Clear interest in health services
research
·
Prior work on team based projects and
demonstrable organizational skills
·
Excellent interpersonal, written and
presentation communication skills
·
Ability to work relatively
independently to achieve agreed objectives
·
Focus on timely delivery of objectives
Senior Project Manager
Reference Number
SPM200819
Job Purpose
To plan, implement and coordinate International Multisite
clinical research operations in the childhood infectious diseases and
undernutrition at KWTP Kilifi/Coast and across international networks. The post
holder will need to be experienced in leading multi-disciplinary, multi-site
research teams in an international setting and be highly self-sufficient to
manage complex research work. The post is mentally demanding, involving attention
to detail and timescales, and strong engagement with stakeholders.
Job Dimensions
The Kemri-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is a
world-renowned research institution in Kenya that conducts studies of public
health interest. One area of great public health interest is research in
childhood infectious illness and undernutrition that aims at improving health
amongst vulnerable children in developing countries. Current ongoing
research projects include an international cohort study, and related sub-studies
under the Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network, a clinical
trial on appropriate anti-infectives in severe acute malnutrition (FLACSAM) and
antimicrobial resistance studies amongst neonates (Neofosfo/NeoObs studies)
The CHAIN Network is a collaboration of research institutions
and hospitals in several countries in Africa and South Asia. Working in
high-burden settings the project aims to collect set of systematic, high
quality clinical and socio-economic data as well as biological samples in a
harmonized system between sites to allow optimal pooled analyses. The goal is
to identify clinical, biological and socio-economic factors that contribute to
morbidity and mortality and to prioritize and implement intervention aimed at
reducing both short and long-term mortality outcomes amongst acutely-ill
undernourished children.
The post holder will be based in from Kilifi site to promote
effective management of ongoing research studies by closely working with
clinical leads/project coordinators and study teams in the international
network at Coordination level.
Responsibilities
Administrative oversight – Kilifi/Coast
·
Overall coordinator of Kilifi/Coast
study teams focussing on childhood undernutrition and related projects, to
oversee administrative aspects of staffing, project budgeting, procurement,
security, health and safety
·
Provide site leadership
(Kilifi/Coast) to malnutrition study teams and to be point of contact between
other KWTRP departments and the teams on administrative issues.
·
Provide guidance to project
coordinators and investigators of ongoing/planned studies within the
malnutrition team to include study planning, resources allocation and quality
assurance plans.
·
To undertake/guide risk assessment of
studies together with specific study coordinators / investigators, to maintain
a register of the risks, and to participate in developing risk mitigation
measures drawing from administrative support in KWTRP in accordance to
applicable policies and guidelines
·
To lead/guide resolution of
operational challenges/problems affecting study teams
·
Participate in writing of project
ghant charts, implementation timelines, and identification of milestones and to
use this to regularly monitor overall project progress.
Scientific coordination – Kilifi /Coast
·
Manage process of ethics and
scientific applications and renewals for ongoing protocols/studies, and trial
registration.
·
Coordinate team’s planning and
management of all clinical trials to include design of research systems in line
with applicable institutional, regulatory and international standards.
·
Manage development of training plans
for new research protocols, as well as overall staff development trainings and
mentorship.
·
Manage and guide on preparation of
SOPs, data collection tools (CRFs/Source documents), quality manuals and
processes in line with institutional guidelines and international research
standards (GCP)
·
Represent teams in operations and
scientific committees and stakeholder forums at local and international level,
to include Centre Scientific Meetings, Research steering committees
(DSMBs/TSCs), sponsors and external partners.
·
Coordinate stakeholder’s engagement
for new and ongoing studies and to maintain register of completed meetings and
planned updates.
·
Manage scientific peer interaction
and exchange within the study teams and with wider KWTRP/stakeholders in form
of scheduled workshops, journal clubs, seminars or case presentations.
International CHAIN network coordination roles
·
Work at CHAIN network to coordinate
training in international sites on protocol implementation processes to include
data collection processes and quality assurance measures.
·
Lead clinical trials platform in the
CHAIN network to establish systems and resources to implement and /or support
new clinical trials.
·
Participate in remote monitoring of
progress at international CHAIN sites through conference meetings and report
updates.
·
Participate in monitoring visits to
international CHAIN network sites to review progress and conduct required
trainings.
·
Participate in review of data quality
and completeness in network sites, and communication with clinical and
laboratory teams over query resolutions
·
Undertake own research projects/ data
analysis within ongoing/completed studies that contribute to the overall research
understanding of questions under research by Malnutrition study group.
Qualifications
·
Masters’ degree in public
health/epidemiology/clinical trials
·
At least 8 years international
experience in training on protocol, trial set up and research monitoring.
Competencies
·
Exceptional project management
skills, proficiency in using project management tools and the ability to manage
multiple large projects simultaneously.
·
Significant skills in leadership,
organization, prioritisation, problem solving and decision making
·
Demonstrable experience in writing
high quality reports and presentations in English, with evidence of being
attentive to detail.
·
Ability to network, communicate,
diplomatic and maintain strong local and international relationships within a
multi-cultural environment and wide diversity of people, and have experience in
resolving disputes.
Desirable
·
Data analysis skills using analytical
programmes e.g. Stata/ R
·
Presentation skills
Physical Environment/Conditions
·
Based at the KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research
Programme in Kenya.
·
Regular international travel to study
sites and partners.
·
Be available to work out of hours if
necessary.
Project Coordinator
Reference Number
PC-/SC-190819
Job Purpose
The main purpose of the job is to provide coordination, administrative
support to assist the project leaders to implement the network and several
research projects on under-nutrition and infection that are linked to it in
order to achieve their goals and objectives, and to optimize the integrated
output of these projects.
Budget And Resource Responsibility
·
Project operational budget
·
Ordering and accountability for
materials, consumables and project assets.
Job Dimensions
The Childhood Acute Illness & Nutrition (CHAIN) Network is
an international research network with a headquarters in Nairobi that is
conducting harmonised research to improve outcomes in sick undernourished
children in Africa and Asia. The job will involve coordination of various
activities and planning for meetings both local and international, and creating
regular high-quality progress reports. The post will require a high level of
communications skills to engage with site coordinators and PIs in study sites
in East and West Africa, and South Asia. The post holder will have to be able
to work unsupervised, often with a variable timescale, sometimes out of hours
and may will require some international travel. The post is mentally demanding,
and involves a high level of communication among trial staff, with trial sites,
regulatory bodies and the wider community.
Responsibilities
·
Be responsible for developing and
maintaining a calendar of activities in consultation with the Programme Manager
and management team.
·
Be responsible for tracking approvals
and regulatory renewals and reports, and ensuring timely preparation and
submission.
·
Develop and maintain study
documentation, contracts and inventory of assets at international sites for the
Network and for projects linked to it.
·
Track expenditures on the Network and
related grants in consultation with the Programme Manager, Finance Offices in
Nairobi, Kilifi and Oxford, as well as with project sites in other countries.
·
Maintaining systems for continuous
monitoring and provision of regular feedback through scheduled meetings with
internal teams and sites or specific technical groups, mostly by
teleconference.
·
Coordinate scientific and operational
activities internally and externally, including organizing meetings in Kenya
and overseas for the Network, and linked projects.
·
Coordinate ordering and distribution
of resources to sites for centrally procured items, and items for Kenyan sites,
ensuring inventories are available for the coordination office.
·
Coordinate travel arrangements for
various local and international trips and meetings.
·
To liaise with other departments
within the research Programme to ensure smooth running of the projects
·
Undertake other duties as assigned by
the Programme Manager.
Qualifications
Essential
·
A bachelor’s degree in business,
administration, project management or a related field plus at least 5 years of
working experience
OR
A science degree plus at least 3 years of working experience as
a study or clinical trials coordinator
·
Demonstrable experience in writing
reports in English
·
Demonstrable experience in organizing
large meetings or networks
·
Computer literacy with proficiency in
project management tools and Microsoft applications
Desirable
·
Experience in budget and resource
management
·
Experience in health research
management
Competencies
·
Strong planning and organization
skills
·
Strong leadership and management
skills
·
Strong problem solving and
decision-making skills
·
Ability to network and build and
maintain strong relationships
·
Proactive, innovative, attentive to
detail and creative
·
Strong interpersonal and
communication skills
·
Team working and ability to work in a
multi-cultural environment
Physical Environment/Conditions
·
The post is based in Nairobi at the
KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya with some travel
·
The post holder will be required to
be available to work flexibly, out of hours as necessary
Programme Statistician
Reference Number
PROGSTAT140819
Job Purpose
This post is required to lead statistical analyses and provide
statistical support for the CHAIN Network and allied clinical trials and
mechanistic studies, including laboratory, epidemiological, clinical trials,
health systems and social science research.
Responsibilities
·
Undertaking statistical analyses of
data collected by the CHAIN Network, allied trials and mechanistic studies in
collaboration with scientists working on these projects in Kenya and abroad.
·
Providing statistical support in the
form of advice to researchers in the CHAIN Network and working on allied trials
and mechanistic studies regarding protocol development, analysis plans and
issues encountered during analysis.
·
Curating requests for data and
analyses and liaising with sites and investigators over request to ensure
appropriate communication, adherence to policies and avoidance of duplication.
·
Helping in developing policy on
database and data entry platforms, and ensuring their accuracy and security,
for use by CHAIN and allied clinical trials.
·
Working closely with the data
management teams for CHAIN and allied trials on the implementation of data
systems
·
Membership of the Centre Scientific
Committee
·
Supporting collaborations to deliver
statistical training in partnering Universities and institutions.
Qualifications
·
A PhD in Statistics or Epidemiology
or a related field
·
Master’s degree in Statistics or
mathematics.
·
Experience in statistical analysis of
major projects with outputs published in peer-reviewed journals.
·
Experience in leading survival,
clinical trial or cohort analyses
·
Ability to network, build and
maintain strong relationships with. Team members in Kenya and overseas
·
Willingness to respond within tight
timelines and to cope with changing assignments
·
Computer literacy with proficiency in
Microsoft applications
Desirable Criteria
·
Experience of work within large
international networks
·
Experience of analysis of infectious
diseases and nutrition data
·
Experience/ training in statistical
analysis software (such as R, SAS, SPSS or STATA) and analysis of large and
complex data files
Competencies
·
Strong data management and analysis
skills
·
Attentive to detail
·
Confidentiality and integrity
·
Excellent interpersonal and
communication skills
·
Team working and ability to work in a
multi-cultural environment
How To Apply
To apply for this post you must be a registered user. Log into
your account then go to Vacancies, view the post and click on the button: “Apply for this job”.
All applicants are required to state their current/last
salary.
Candidates must supply an email and telephone contact that will
be used when offering interviews. Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates
shall be required to produce ORIGINALS of their National Identity
Card, academic and professional certificates, original transcripts and
testimonials, detailed curriculum vitae and valid clearance certificate
(certificate of good conduct) during the interviews.
The application closing date is 28
August, 2019.
KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is an
equal opportunity employer. Direct or indirect canvassing will lead
to automatic disqualification. KWTRP does not charge a fee at any stage
of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing,
training or any other fees).
