Position Title: Research Manager – NCDs
Reports to: Director, Research and Training Department
Base Location: Rwinkwavu, Rwanda (with cross-sites support)
———————————————————————————————————————
About Partners In Health- Inshuti Mu Buzima (PIH-IMB).
Partners In Health (PIH) is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1987 that helps build and sustain public health systems in underprivileged and underserved communities in ten countries around the world. At the invitation of the government, Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima began operating in Rwanda in 2005, a small Central/Eastern African country, with an estimated population of 12,956,000 people and a size of 26,338 square meters. Our mission is to support Rwanda in strengthening the health system to provide high quality care to all, by accompanying Rwanda’s Ministry of Health (MoH). We envision thriving communities of healthy, happy, and productive people, where social justice and universal quality health services are available. We work to strengthen the Rwandan health system through designing innovative health care delivery, building health care workforce capacity, and leading global health research
SUMMARY OF ROLE
The NCDs Research Manager is a full-time position intended to support in the development of research ideas, writing grants, managing projects and supporting research implementation and capacity building within the Research and NCD Departments, as well as developing frameworks, guidelines and processes that enable research to be carried out at PIH-IMB, particularly from the perspective of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Under the guidance of the Director of Research and Training Department, he/she will actively participate in research department activities including strategic research planning, research and grant proposal development, research implementation, coordinating research grants and studies, analyzing research data, manuscript writing, programmatic reporting, participation in research capacity development, and providing dedicated mentorship to research and program team members. The incumbent is also expected to develop and lead research projects that they may be interested in and for which they raise resources. This is a key role that is the day-to-day interface between the IMB leadership, the MOH, other national research agencies and individual researchers and their institutes; and through this interface ensures a coordinated, legal and ethical approach to research in PIH/IMB and Rwanda.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITES
Administration
- Provide administrative support to Department of research and NCD program on all NCD research related activities including grant proposal writing, submission, management, project planning, implementation and management, and reporting as well as regulatory reporting and allocation of staffing and resources
- Support the Research Department with the development of frameworks, guidelines and processes that enable NCD research to be carried out at PIH-IMB
- Contribute to research department strategic planning
- Review of ongoing NCD studies, providing updates and advise to the research department on challenges and areas of concern
- Participate in development and reviewing IMB-affiliated publications, presentations, and abstracts
- Routine documented check-ins with study leads to monitor progress and provide support to research collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, PIH/IMB and other partners; by abiding with collaboration frameworks and data sharing policies.
- Develop training content to orient researchers to MOH and IMB research policies
- Organize and lead staff capacity building programmes, including research trainings, dissemination opportunities, and content-specific workshops
- Serve as point person for planning, preparation and implementation of large research projects, particularly those of prospective nature involving multiple partners or funding institutions
- Act as resource on IMB and Rwanda Research policies and procedures, ensuring that affiliated teams comply with organizational HR, finance, and research policies
- Act as IMB liaison with National Health Research Council and Rwanda’s National Ethics Committee, facilitating study application and providing guidance on policies and procedures
Management
- Maintain database of ongoing NCD research studies and research documentation, including protocol, ethics approvals, publications, and reports
- Maintain list IMB-affiliated NCD publications, presentations, and abstracts
Technical Focus
- Specifically support growth and expansion of non-communicable disease (NCD) research portfolio
- Support design, execution, and dissemination of key NCD research studies
- Participate, as appropriate, in research studies in technical role (analysis, study management, project oversight)
- Participate and support NCD quality improvement projects
- Lead organization and coordination of the NCD Writing Group
QUALIFICATIONS /REQUIREMENTS
- Master of Public Health Degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, health research, health information systems, policy and management (or equivalent) with a clinical background
(a doctor, a nurse or a physician assistant)
- Experience (3-5 years) of direct engagement with research, particular coordinating clinical research projects or implementing operational research projects.
- Proven experience of academic/scientific writing skills and data analysis; having published a peer reviewed paper as principal author is required
- Prior data analysis experience using statistical software like Stata (Qualitative data analysis using dedicated software like Atllas TI or Nvivo is a plus)
- Fluency in spoken and written English (fluency in French a bonus)
- Experience in grant application and management
- Experience with personnel management or mentorship
- Superb time-management and coordination skills, ability to keep track of multiple tasks at once
- Facility with critical thinking and complex problem solving
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint is a MUST
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work well with diverse team and exhibit humility, respect and team spirit
- Ability to work in remote-rural areas/settings
- Ability to live PIH/IMB values: Ubumuntu (I am because you are), Ubupfura (Integrity), Agaciro (Dignity), Kugira ishyaka (Loyalty), Ubwubahane (Mutual respect and trust), Ubunyangamugayo (Wisdom), Ubumwe (Solidarity).
- At Partners In Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
How to apply:
If you believe that you are the right candidate for this position, please submit your applications: CV and application letter in PDF or MS WORD formats only to this link:
https://www.pih.org/pages/employment?p=job%2FowJYjfwg
Applications should be submitted not later than 24 June 2022.
