Senior Manager, Vaccine Translational Research at International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Scientific leadership for the ADVANCE program

• Ensure a high-quality translational research program through development of innovative technical workplans and draft project implementation in collaboration with strategic area and CRC leads.
• Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting support for translational science activities and support the management and implementation of key flagship program areas.
• In collaboration with strategic area leads and PMs of the respective flagship areas, ensure alignment and timely execution of ADVANCE research activities.
• Stay current in recent research and latest methodologies in the field of vaccinology and research workforce management to make recommendations based on relevance to ADVANCE.
• Lead regular scientific and technical progress meetings, providing input into the design and execution of experiments, collection, and interpretation of data, providing troubleshooting support and decision making on related technical issues.
• Support funding applications for translational research and contribute to review of protocols & manuscripts, grant applications, and conference presentations.

Manage key scientific partnerships in Africa to support IAVI’s mission

• Manage partnerships with external researchers and collaborative institutions on the African continent to advance HIV vaccine research and development.
• Foster new partnerships on HIV vaccine resources and opportunities in partnership with Strategic Area Leads and CRC PIs.
• Coordinate between internal and external stakeholders for the establishment and execution of agreements and contracts (collaborative agreements, MTAs, MSAs, etc.)

Programmatic support ensuring successful execution of scientific program

• In collaboration with PMs, support MEL documentation and reporting centered on progress on translational research by contributing to, promoting, and participating in MEL processes, data interpretation, and documentation.
• Help develop quarterly and annual research project reports for translational research activities and share with the ADVANCE Leadership Team and other ADVANCE performance review committees.
• Act as the main point of contact for strategic area leads for assigned flagship area ensuring alignment and seamless execution of priority areas and provide recommendations for implementation adjustments.
• Work together with the Program Managers and operations team to develop a robust operational plan to monitor performance, timelines, and progress on commitments.
•  Prepare reports for funders.

Lead scientific capacity strengthening of the ADVANCE CRC network

• Develop, implement, and execute inclusive strategies that foster creative inquiry while responding to a changing world and reflecting the multiplicity of disciplines, knowledge, and cultures within the global ADVANCE network and HIV vaccine R&D field.
• In collaboration with the ADVANCE SA3 leadership, ensure there is CRC site-specific scientific and institutional research development plans that will build long-term research expertise and infrastructure capacity that aligns with the CRC’s long-term goals and support the network sustainability plans.
• Support and contribute to the development of research proposal and grants that further strengthen translational research capacity at ADVANCE CRCs.
• Lead the identification and review of technology gaps at CRCs and make recommendations to support establishment of new capabilities or strengthening of existing ones.
• Ensure platforms and capabilities are established and individuals trained at ADVANCE CRCs to execute translational research activities.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• A Ph.D. in Immunology or Virology or equivalent is required.
• Minimum 5 years’ work experience in a medical/ academic/research environment is required; experience in translational immunology research is preferred.
• Experience in immune assays such as Flow Cytometry, ELISA, B-cell and/or T-cell responses evaluation, as well as Molecular Biology is required.
• Experience with post-graduate student supervision and mentorship is required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• A proven research track record accompanied by a good publication record in the field of HIV translational science is required.  
• Experience in managing multi-center research projects is required.
• Proven success in medical/academic research management and administration.
• Proven success in servicing committees.
• Excellent planning, project management, and organizational skills to multitask and prioritize.
• Excellent reasoning and analytical skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships at all levels.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills are required.
• Computer literacy, with advanced Microsoft Office skills, is required.
• Previous work experience in the field of Global Health and/or HIV is desirable.
• Proven experience in project MEL is desirable.
• Willingness to travel at least 10-20% of the time is required.