Research Medical Specialist I -Temporary at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

JOB PURPOSE: 

The Clinical Information Network (CIN) is a multi-hospital platform designed to promote better generation and use of paediatric patient data for quality improvement, surveillance, and research. The project seeks a highly motivated clinical specialist who will work with other members of the team towards successful running of a multi-site pragmatic trial on pneumonia treatments and other projects supported on the platform.

Description: 

• REPORTS TO: PI and other senior CIN investigators SUPERVISES: CIN team, liaises with investigators and hospital teams at sites. Working alongside senior data manager, management of data team activities 
• BUDGET AND RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY: Assists the CIN project manager in responsibility for the project budgets and assets 

JOB DIMENSIONS:

The post-holder will have a high level of responsibility for the clinical and project management aspects of CIN, ensuring clinical standards, harmonisation, data quality and clinically relevant outputs, and liaison with the Ministry of Health as a key partner. The post holder will need to be self-sufficient and be able to work unsupervised with an unpredictable timescale. The post is mentally demanding and involves a working closely with study teams at multiple sites in Kenya, eventually expanding to new sites in East Africa

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• To coordinate network activities and meetings among researchers with projects running on the platform, with hospital sites, county officials and Ministry of Health. 
• To review and update study protocols, procedure, CRFs, SOPs and informed consent documents for the an ongoing large clinical trial and linked projects 
• To provide clinical training and mentorship at project sites 
• To ensure that clinical teams fulfil their roles and responsibilities and maintain clinical standards and ethics 
• To advise on clinical care for study participants 
• To work with the data managers to generate and disseminate reports and presentations 
• To conceptualise, undertake and analyse and report own studies and sub-studies within existing projects 
• To represent the project at internal and external meetings and maintain favourable relations with stakeholders including hospital leadership, County Health Managers, Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders 
• Other duties that may be assigned from time to time. 

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS: Essential 

• Specialist training (MMed or equivalent) in paediatrics 
• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree or its equivalent degree from any recognized university or institution 
• At least 1-2 years’ experience in a senior role as a Paediatric consultant in a county (or tertiary) hospital in Kenya 
• Valid specialist clinical practice licence and annual retention certificate from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists’ Board or equivalent 
• Evidence of prior scientific publication and research work Desirable 
• Previous clinical experience in clinical research leading to publication of at least one peer-reviewed first-author manuscript. 
• Extensive experience in the management of acutely ill children in low-income settings 
• Evidence of prior engagement with the Ministry of Health COMPETENCIES 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a high level of emotional intelligence 
• High energy, clear goal orientation and strong work ethic 
• Strong leadership, organisational and planning ability 
• A high standard of written scientific English 
• Computer literacy in project management tools and Microsoft applications 

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS: 

• Based at the Nairobi office of the KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kenya. 
• Regular travel, including outside of working hours, out of Nairobi to visit project sites for training, oversight, clinical reviews, troubleshooting and policy/public engagement