Project Manager/Field Operations Manager at Kenya Medical Research - KEMRI

Vacancy No. CVDC/001/10/22

Position summary

The candidate will be expected tlead the effective planning and coordination of activities and resources tachieve project deliverables and successful project completion within timeline. The candidate will work together with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, trial coordinators, study compliance officers, and clinicians. The successful candidate will manage a large team of field workers, community health workers and other casual labour force treach approximately 10k households distributed across Kwale county for a duration of four months plus additional followup time. They will alsbe responsible for designing the training and fieldwork schemes for the large team under their supervision.

Job Specification

• Manage all field operations of the MDA exercise of ivermectin thumans and participant follow up for safety and efficacy outcomes.
  • Coordinate employment of field team workforce.
  • Supervise and oversee a large team of field workers, community health workers (CHWs), and casual laborers by designing a pyramidal supervision system from headquarters down tfield.
  • Design and manage a field logistics deployment plan of employees (e.g., their distribution throughout the study area, the division of tasks at all levels) and study household visit schedule according tthe study protocol.
  • Draft study documents including a Field Operations Manual and study specific procedures (SSPs).
  • Design the training plan, the training manual, and the supplementary materials tfield staff.
  • Coordinate field transportation of field team workforce.
• Manage all unexpected issues in field.
• Establish effective communication with the principal investigator, clinical trial coordinator, project manager, project assistant, and other team members through regular meetings and reports ensuring transparency of project progress and critical milestones.
• Identify best step-wise approaches tcomplex tasks using effective prioritization;
• Be aware of team members skills and strengths and delegate roles and responsibilities accordingly.
• Identify risks or concerns toperations and establish escalation paths.
• Monitor the progress of work package deliverables and identify where additional support or resources are needed.
• Work with the project’s financial officer tmonitor the work package spending in accordance with the study budget adhering tinstitutional guidelines and requirements.

Person specification

• Master’s degree level qualification in relevant field.
• Bachelor’s degree level qualification in relevant field.
• A minimum of C+ KCSE.
• At least 5 years of experience in project management (or a similar type of coordination position) with a demonstrated track-record in managing large scale, complex, field operations including logistics, and staff coordination.
• Experience working with milestone-oriented projects from any sector including research, non-governmental, governmental, industry, and business led projects.
• Track record in coordinating activities from different workstreams.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability tlead a team and inspire others.
• Solid organizational skills, including attention tdetail and multitasking skills.
• Excellent time management, prioritization and organizational skills.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, ability thandle troublesome situations and anticipate issues with a decisive attitude.
• Outstanding communication skills with ability tadapt tdifferent types of audiences maintaining cultural sensitivity and professionalism.
• The ideal candidate will alshave a high degree of integrity, discipline, and work ethic.

Desired but not essential

• Experience working in Kwale.
• Experience working in health-related research.

Terms of Employment

• One (1) year renewable contract as per KEMRI scheme of service. Probation period for the first 3 months. Salary is payable within the stated job grade