Jobs at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE:

Programme Leadership:

KWTRP is a large Programme, now including 800 staff and 50 Principal Investigators working across hubs in Kilifi, Nairobi and Uganda. We account for £20M spending per year, 200 scientific publications per year and direct influences on areas such as vaccination policy, care of critical illness and health economic policy across Africa. Capacity building is a central aim and has been highly successful, included 76 completed PhD students and newly independent scientists through 10 Training Fellowships, 5 Intermediate Fellowships, 4 African Research Leader awards and an Oak Fellowship. We are now expanding our scientific leadership team to support the next phase of the Programme’s development.

The Head of Health Systems/ Research Ethics (HSRE) will be a critical part of the new team, with responsibility for scientific strategy and decision making and for a transition in leadership within the Programme. She/he will take a leading role in the core funding renewal and shape the direction of the Programme for the near future and longer term with a centre of gravity based in Kenya, and in addition act as a Principal Investigator in their own right leading independent research.

HSRE Leadership:

A key multi-disciplinary Department in the Programme includes researchers with interests in Health Systems (including Health Economics, Health Systems Governance, Policy Analysis, Applied Social Sciences, Health Services work with an overlap into clinical research and broader Health Systems studies) and in Research Ethics (focussing on empirical work). Our HSRE work is based in both Nairobi and in Kilifi, supported by a network of collaborating Healthcare Facilities, Universities and Health System engagements across Kenya. The HSRE Department also manages a community engagement and public/policy/stakeholder engagement platform. With support from managers of these platforms, the Head will be responsible for setting strategic priorities and plans for HSRE, in addition to the broader Programme-wide responsibilities described above. The post will include substantial allocated time for developing and leading new independent research initiatives, with the expectation of building an independent research portfolio that addresses critical healthcare challenges in our setting.

The post requires a scientist with a track record of extensive and noteworthy independent scientific output, with proven capacity to attract funds for research relevant to LMIC settings. Experience of leadership in research is essential, reaching at least group level. External coaching in leadership skills will be made available to the successful applicant.

REPORTS TO:

• Programme Executive Director

JOINTLY SUPERVISES:

• Head of Community Engagement, Staff funded by personal projects.

INDIRECTLY SUPERVISES:

• Staff in HSRE Department (joint line management of project-specific staff by PIs)
• Joint line management of Public Engagement and Schools Engagement officers and fieldworkers/research assistants through Head of CE
• Joint management of Policy Engagement Officer with Nairobi Director

BUDGET AND RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:

• HSRE Core Budget
• Personal Project Grants

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leading the Programme HSRE scientific strategy including chairing planning and management meetings for the HSRE Department.
• Active participation as part of the senior leadership team in shaping Programme-wide scientific strategy and acting as co-applicant for the Programme core grant.
• Developing proposals for new research initiatives, with ongoing leadership responsibilities for these areas of personal research
• Membership of the Heads of Scientific Departments committee, and in a broad range of governance structures and committees.
• Planning the overall budget and setting targets for development of HSRE on a yearly basis, and negotiating and agreeing the plans with the Scientific Departments Committee responsible for overall scientific strategy in the programme.
• Ongoing strategic decisions underpinning HSRE work, including reprofiling of the core budget, new research initiatives including the development of new sites or collaborations, design of public/community and policy engagement approaches, data capture platforms and integration with other Departments.
• Line management of the Head of CE.
• Providing input on Health Systems, social science or other related aspects of developing proposals and funding applications, and willing to be a co-applicant on funding proposals from other PIs where relevant.
• Mentorship of early career scientists across the Programme with related interests, and training input for selected PhD students/ Masters students where relevant.
• To guide and support the development of collaborative linkages with other local and international health research institutions to develop synergistic and equitable partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential Requirements:

• A PhD or equivalent post-graduate qualification relevant to HSRE themes.
• Experience in research with significant impactful research outputs.
• Significant productivity in peer reviewed journals.
• Evidence of the capacity to win independent research funding.
• Leadership experience in research or related areas, at minimum to leading a group.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead complex projects
• Significant experience of line management
• Experience of PhD and/or Masters supervision with positive outcomes.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience in policy work and/or public engagement
• Experience in social science or empirical ethics work
• Experience of health economics, health governance or broader health systems work.
• Experience of inter-disciplinary work.

COMPETENCIES:

• Evidence of supervisory ability and negotiation skills
• Evidence of an ability to operate and lead in a federalized environment with decentralized authority.
• Strong skills in budgeting, development and oversight of project proposals, leadership of meetings, and writing skills.
• Ability to work across cultures and evidence of communications skills in that context.
• Willingness to respond within tight timelines and to cope with changing assignments.
• Strong leadership skills and managerial ability
• Strong planning, administrative and organisation ability
• Confidentiality, integrity, patience and calm disposition
• Team working and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE:

• To undertake research/ clinical trials and ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory and programme policies in performing/overseeing clinical activities and the execution of research studies.

REPORTS TO:

• Directly to Principal Investigator.

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES:

• Research medical officers

INDIRECTLY SUPERVISES:

• Clinical Officers/Fieldworkers.

BUDGET AND RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:

• Work planning and task allocation, requisition and procurement of supplies, consumables and ensuring sensible use of resources.

JOB DIMENSIONS:

The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Collaborative Research Programme (KWTRP) conducts high quality research on diseases with the highest burden in developing countries. The programme is recognised internationally within the fields of international public health, clinical tropical medicine, epidemiology and immunology. The Clinical Trial Facility (CTF) is involved in both investigator-led and externally-led single and multicentre trials involving vaccines, drugs, nutritional, health systems, and behavioural interventions. The facility is responsible for overseeing the design, strategy, coordination and governance of high-quality phase I- IV clinical trials across Africa and Human Infections Studies. The CTF aims to maximise opportunities for learning and training with the aim of maintaining a cadre of highly skilled and experienced staff from all disciplines.

The research medical specialist will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day clinical activities related to the Shigella4V vaccine trial. Together with the Principal Investigator, the post holder will safeguard the health and welfare of the participants and ensure staff compliance with the protocol. Additionally, the post holder will perform and oversee clinical procedures and make trial-related medical decisions. He/she will work with the Principal Investigator to contribute to tasks preparatory to the project not limited to proposal/protocol development and submissions, develop a study work plan, organise and conduct training for project specific staff including higher level responsibilities for ensuring field and laboratory procedures are carried out as well as data analysis, preparation of reports and manuscripts and correspondence with international collaborators and sponsors. The post holder will need to be self-sufficient and be able to work with minimal supervision in a demanding environment, often with unpredictable timelines. The post is mentally demanding and extremely good communication is essential. The post holder may also be required to contribute to other associated projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the Principal Investigator and the project manager to prepare and execute research plans in liaison with the clinicians and other teams in the laboratory and the community liaison group.
• Take the lead in/contribute to the study set up, identification of resource requirements, documentation of protocols, staff training and grading and identifying adverse events.
• Work with the clinical team and researchers to provide good quality clinical care to the study participants throughout the study period.
• Ensure that the rights, safety and welfare of the study participants are protected, and clinical trial activities are conducted in accordance with the protocol, GCP and the regulatory guidelines.
• Ensure adherence to the clinical SOPs regarding clinical and laboratory investigations of the participants in the study.
• Carry out desktop research/ literature reviews and prepare/ draft write-ups as may be required for inclusion in/ to support proposals, presentations/seminars and publications.
• Lead the collection, processing, compilation and analysis of study data/samples and ensure all related records and reports are handled and managed in line with the study protocol.
• Prepare, analyse and present research summaries to supervisors, community and county stakeholders, international collaborators, and sponsors.
• Liaise with the data clerks and managers to ensure that all data is entered into relevant databases on time and verified.
• Prepare and submit draft reports as required including activity reports, project progress reports amongst others.
• Attend and actively participate in investigator’s meetings and other meetings within the department and programme e.g. journal clubs/seminars as needed.
• And any other duties that may be assigned by supervisors from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential

• A degree in Medicine and Surgery.
• MSc or MPH
• Demonstrable active interest and/or experience in biomedical research.
• Minimum 5 years’ post qualification experience.
• Eligibility for registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board i.e. you should have completed your internship by the time you commence the position.
• Ability to lead and work within a team.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Training and or experience in clinical research
• Training/ experience in literature research, critical appraisal of literature and evidence reviews.
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft applications.

Desirable:

• Training in ICH-GCP.
• Experience in both adult medicine and paediatrics (clinical or research)
• 2-3 years’ experience in clinical trials
• Experience/qualification in basic bio-statistics and clinical research. Current passport and ability to travel for international meetings.

COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of basic study designs and how to conduct clinical research studies.
• Good analytical and follow through ability.
• Good planning, organisation and co-ordination skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to take and follow instructions, initiative, keen to learn and proactive with the ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Flexibility, adaptability, ability to multi-task.
• Confidentiality and integrity.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Team working and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment. Conscientiousness, timeliness and willingness to work to meet deadlines.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

• Based at the KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Kenya.
• Some travel to study sites and partners within and outside Kenya. Be available to work out of hours if necessary.

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE:

Programme Leadership:

KWTRP is a large Programme, now including 800 staff and 50 Principal Investigators working across hubs in Kilifi, Nairobi and Uganda. We account for £20M spending per year, 200 scientific publications per year and direct influences on areas such as vaccination policy, care of critical illness and health economic policy across Africa. Capacity building is a central aim and has been highly successful, included 76 completed PhD students and newly independent scientists through 10 Training Fellowships, 5 Intermediate Fellowships, 4 African Research Leader awards and an Oak Fellowship. We are now expanding our scientific leadership team to support the next phase of the Programme’s development.

The Head of Epidemiology and Demography will be a critical part of the new team, with responsibility for scientific strategy and decision making and for a transition in leadership within the Programme. She/he will take a leading role in the core funding renewal and shape the direction of the Programme for the near future and longer term with a centre of gravity based in Kenya, and in addition act as a Principal Investigator in their own right leading independent research.

Epidemiology/Demography Leadership:

The Epidemiology and Demography Department is central to the Programme’s surveillance strategy, overseeing the Kilifi Health Demographic Surveillance System with >0.25M residents, integrated ward surveillance of 5000 admissions per year, and surveillance of primary healthcare facilities. Researchers in Kilifi work on diverse areas ranging from vaccine effectiveness studies through to viral transmission and host genetics. Researchers in Nairobi work on spatial epidemiology, case management and public health with an emphasis on malaria.

With support from Head of Surveillance and Managers of the Demographic Surveillance team and ward surveillance, the Head will be responsible for setting strategic priorities and plans for Epidemiology and Demography, in addition to the broader Programme-wide responsibilities described above. The post will include substantial allocated time for developing and leading new independent research initiatives, with the expectation of building an independent research portfolio that addresses critical healthcare challenges in our setting.

The post requires a scientist with a track record of extensive and noteworthy independent scientific output, with proven capacity to attract funds for research relevant to LMIC settings. Experience of leadership in research is essential, reaching at least group level. External coaching in leadership skills will be made available to the successful applicant.

REPORTS TO:

• Programme Executive Director

JOINTLY SUPERVISES:

• Head of Surveillance.

INDIRECTLY SUPERVISES:

• Staff in Epidemiology and Surveillance Department (joint line management of project-specific staff by PIs and management of fieldworkers/research assistants through Head of Surveillance).

BUDGET AND RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:

• Epidemiology and Demography Core Budget
• Personal Project Grants.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leading the Programme Epidemiology and Demography scientific strategy, including chairing Departmental management and planning meetings.
• Active participation as part of the senior leadership team in shaping Programme-wide scientific strategy and acting as co-applicant for the Programme core grant.
• Developing proposals for new research initiatives, with ongoing leadership responsibilities for these areas of personal research
• Membership of the Heads of Scientific Departments committee, and in a broad range of governance structures and committees.
• Planning the overall budget and setting targets for development of Epidemiology and Demography on a yearly basis, and negotiating and agreeing the plans with the Scientific Departments Committee responsible for overall scientific strategy in the programme.
• Ongoing strategic decisions underpinning Epidemiology and Demography work, including reprofiling of the core budget, new research initiatives including the development of new sites or collaborations, design of engagement or data capture platforms and integration with other Departments.
• Line management of the Head of Surveillance.
• Providing input on surveillance or epidemiological aspects of developing proposals and funding applications, and willing to be a co-applicant on funding proposals from other PIs where relevant.
• Mentorship of early career scientists across the Programme with related interests, and training input for selected PhD students/ Masters students where relevant.
• To guide and support the development of collaborative linkages with other local and international health research institutions to develop synergistic and equitable partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential Requirements:

• A PhD or equivalent post-graduate qualification relevant to Epidemiology and Demography themes.
• Experience in research with significant impactful research outputs.
• Significant productivity in peer reviewed journals.
• Evidence of the capacity to win independent research funding.
• Leadership experience in research or related areas, at minimum to leading a group.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead complex projects.
• Significant experience of line management.
• Experience of PhD and/or Masters supervision with positive outcomes.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience of studies on interventions (either clinical trials or observational effectiveness work).
• Ability in or understanding of spatial epidemiology.
• Experience of inter-disciplinary work.

COMPETENCIES:

• Evidence of supervisory ability and negotiation skills.
• Evidence of an ability to operate and lead in a federalized environment with decentralized authority.
• Strong skills in budgeting, development and oversight of project proposals, leadership of meetings, and writing skills.
• Ability to work across cultures and evidence of communications skills in that context.
• Willingness to respond within tight timelines and to cope with changing assignments.
• Strong leadership skills and managerial ability.
• Strong planning, administrative and organisation ability.
• Confidentiality, integrity, patience and calm disposition.
• Team working and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.