Vacancies at Aga Khan University Hospital

Job Summary

As part of a Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative funded project titled “Cultural Adaptation and Validation of Cognitive Tests, Functional Assessments, and Biomarkers in People with Dementia Project”, this position will support the Principal Investigators to carry out the project aims. A culmination of assigned tasks will ensure that the project adheres to ethical guidelines and regulations; required number of research participants are recruited, consented, and followed up; data collected is clean, kept private and confidential.

The initial contract will run for one and a half years.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of tools including adapting, translating, pilot testing, and calibrating research tools;
• Streamlining the data collection tools within the preferred electronic platform;
• Mobilisation of study sites and key people in authority within the preferred research sites;
• Locating, recruitment and consenting of study participants;
• Planning and monitoring of research activities by students;
• Administration and scoring of neuropsychological interviews, tests, and questionnaires to participants;
• Timely, preferably daily, submission of all data collected;
• Retrieval of secondary data from electronic health records for input into study database;
• Cleaning, reviewing, and entering data into study database;
• Summary analyses, reporting and storage of data in private and confidential manner;
• Ensure study supplies are stored safely and accounted for including any monies allotted to study activities;
• Ensure compliance with ethics and study protocol, including policies and regulations related to safety, privacy, and confidentiality;
• Prepare basic field reports for review by the project coordinator/leads;
• Develop and monitor a study risk register as per AKU’s Audit guidelines.
• Work with project leads to initiate reporting of research experiences and outcomes as well as expenses incurred as required by ethics and funders among other interested persons;
• Liaise with project leads to ensure all project assets are accounted for;
• Participate in research dissemination activities (presentations, publications, etc.) and
• Any other related responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor.

Requirements

• Master’s level training in a related field (i.e., Biomedical Sciences; Neuropsychology, Psychometrics, Social Sciences, Anthropology, Public Health);
• Completion of doctoral level coursework and clinical training is an advantage;
• 3-5 years of experience in research with preference for managing multi-component projects;
• At least 1 year of experience in field data collection preferably in community and hospital settings;
• Educational or experiential knowledge of psychological and neuropsychological test administration in aging populations and psychometrics;
• Experience in using SPSS or any other quantitative statistical software;
• Academic exposure and interest in neuroanatomy and brain-behaviour relationships is an advantage;
• Peer-reviewed publications, presentations, or other records of scholarly output;
• Keen ability to work independently, show initiative, and take ownership, as well as a natural problem solver with a goal-oriented mindset;
• Excellent inter-personal relationship with ability to work well with study participants, colleagues and full spectrum of academic staff from trainees to senior faculty members and researchers, located in different geographic zones; and
• Ability to work within short deadlines even outside normal working hours to meet targets.

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Job Summary

This is a leadership role under the Aga Khan University Cancer Center (CC) to support strategic coordination/planning for the various Cancer Center programs, with primary focus on the Experimental Therapeutics program. The office holder shall also provide executive support to the CC Director, and will be the external-facing presentative of the CRU and the Experimental Therapeutics program, who will coordinate all activities involving external partners of the CC (pharmaceutical sponsors, academic partners, research organizations etc.)..

Responsibilities

Outreach (Research and Oncology):

• Foster and champion external engagement and networking, serving as a key point of contact for the Cancer Center and its networks (research institutions, societies, Contract Research Organizations (CRO), Pharma organizations, Academic institutions, etc.);
• Strategize planned visits to establish site partnerships and follow-up to build network and maximize site performance;
• Lead pro-active stakeholder engagement activities and partnerships to maintain alignment with the wider organization; and
• Manage external communication to mainstream media, internal media communications. Responsible for AKU Cancer Center website content development and management.

Research:

• Lead and manage the feasibility process of proposed research studies, utilizing various internal and external data;
• Support study planning and ensure accurate recruitment forecasting to maximize efficient and timely delivery of the CRU’s clinical trials; and
• Collaborate with CRU operations, regulatory and clinical teams to support efficient start up procedures and site activation.

Cancer Center:

• Work closely with the Cancer Center Director to support on content development of manuscripts and publications;
• Lead and manage Cancer Center Grants with the AKU Finance and Research Grants office. Collaborate with lead investigators and institutions throughout the application process through submission and (as applicable) implementation; and
• Provide contractual support on all Cancer Center contracts and agreements with the AKU Legal office, as per regulatory obligations and institutional policies and procedures: preparation, negotiation, and finalization (e.g., Clinical Site Agreements, Master Services Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Materials Transfer Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, etc.).

Administrative:

• Working closely with the Cancer Center Director, manage engagement with key cancer Center committees (External Advisory Board, East Africa Regional Oncology Program, Scientific Review Committee, Cancer Center Committee, etc.); and
• Work with CRU leadership, Department of Haematology-Oncology, and Cancer Center programs, as guided by the Chair/Director.

Requirements

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or health-related field with experience in the area of clinical trials, drug development, pharmaceuticals, and/or oncology. Master’s Degree is a plus; and
• Preferred: At least three (3) years of experience in clinical research setting (academic institution, pharmaceutical industry, Contract Research Organization (CRO), or other clinical research environment);

Knowledge and Competencies (skills, abilities & traits required)

• Strong knowledge of ICH/GCP guidelines, clinical drug development processes, clinical study design, and study planning and management;
• Proven project management skills;
• Proficient computer skills including use of webinars/virtual meeting platforms and Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word;
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, and administrative skills (including report writing);
• Demonstrable leadership skills, self-motivation, and strategic and critical thinking;
• Strong presentation, analytical, problem-solving, decision making and conflict resolution skills; and
• Ability to manage and follow-up on multiple tasks and meet deadlines independently.

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Responsibilities:

• Assess status of patients before providing nutritional care plan
• Ensure safety and quality standards of therapeutic diets are observed
• Act as the direct link between the catering staff and the dietetics team in the delivery of dietary services to patients
• Educate catering staff in dietary modifications as required
• Sensitize the patient on menu selection according to the education provided while in hospital
• Participate and contribute in Continuing Medical Education and other educational activities
• Collect data on departmental quality indicators to populate the quality variance report (QVR)
• Take part in departmental quality improvement and patient safety program

Requirements:

• Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Registered with Kenya Nutritionists and Dietitians Institute
• Valid practicing Licence
• Disciplined and honest, time conscious, willingness to learn
• Should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills