Manager (DNS Project), Paediatrics & Child Health -MC

Job Description

Manager (Research), Department of Paediatrics & Child HealthEntity: Aga Khan UniversityLocation: KarachiIntroduction to the Aga Khan University: The Aga Khan University is a private, international university committed to international standards of excellence in teaching, research and service. Its teaching hospital, the Aga Khan University Hospital has been accredited by the prestigious Joint Commission International for achieving the highest international healthcare standards.Dry Nasal Swab (DNS) Project - Data on the burden of mortality related to the COVID-19 pandemic is sparse especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).1 Comparing the number of deaths during the pandemic to observed numbers of deaths during the time periods before the pandemic can inform on the excess deaths directly and indirectly attributable to COVID-19.2 Unexplained increases in mortality due to all causes or nonspecific outcomes, such as pneumonia and influenza, can provide a more complete picture of the burden of COVID-19.3 However, systematic recording of population deaths and the causes of death depend on the infrastructure and socioeconomic status of the communities. Most LMIC lack systems such as well-established hospital statistics to accurately capture this information in particular during the pandemic where healthcare systems are stretched, and utilization of health services can be selective with more deaths occurring at home.1 Using burial ground surveillance to capture the community deaths and the causes of death can offer the opportunity to measure the population level impact of the COVID-19 and effectiveness of interventions to control the pandemic.Study Objectives:

1. To determine the all-cause mortality in Karachi, Pakistan
2. To determine excess deaths directly and indirectly attributable to COVID-19
3. To evaluate the impact of age and gender on the number of deaths and the causes of deaths

Job Role / Responsibilities:You should have strong strategic management and technical abilities, and good analytical abilities to lead the wide spectrum of research data of projects across Pakistan. Besides having excellent communication skills you must possess sound networking skills to build strong relationship with the data management experts at national and international granting agencies. This position also requires extensive travelling (and deputation as well, as per the need) at national and international levels.The core responsibilities will be to:

• develop and implement innovative and sustainable strategies to ensure efficient work modules and minimal wastage of time and other resources
• supervise all the research projects? data entries and the quality of data at the Data Management Unit and at all the research field sites of the division, and ensure that all data is safely stored at Data Storage places and properly retrievable as per the requirements
• develop strategic plan of data management for Electronic Data Capturing (EDC) to lead the transition from paper based entry to EDC and will plan and mobilize resources for it
• ensure timely management of requests for all IT infrastructure related requirements
• supervise and develop data management team, including continuous coaching of juniors for capacity development
• monitor, evaluate and improve operating procedures of all data management functions of the department
• design questionnaires and programming in consultation with project supervisors
• analyze research data and generate reports accordingly
• coordinate with other research sections to assess their data management requirements and, plan and execute accordingly
• identify, suggest and hire efficient and professional persons, and manage their employment contracts and performance evaluations of all DMU staff
• conduct monitoring visits at the field sites to ensure that data management activities are in line with the agreed timelines and procedures.

Eligibility Criteria / Requirements:You should have:

• a minimum of Masters in Computer Sciences or equivalent with professional level courses and certifications in IT
• certifications in Programming will be preferred i.e. Microsoft, SAS etc.
• at least five years of diverse corporate experience with at least three years of data management experience at senior level preferably in healthcare or research organization of good repute
• excellent knowledge of databases and computer programming (SQL, Visual Basic)
• comprehensive knowledge of modern tools and techniques for research data management
• have sufficient knowledge of statistics, analytical approach to the research data
• experience in statistical softwares i.e. SPSS, Stata & SAS etc.
• excellent project management skills including ability to lead work force and manage resources effectively
• strong management and supervision skills
• excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to present complex ideas and information in clear and meaningful form to various stakeholders
• excellent ability to manage multiple tasks effectively under work pressure
• the willingness for extensive travelling nationally and internationally, including deputation there as well, and travelling to data management units at various field sites for monitoring and supervision.

Disclaimer:The Aga Khan University is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment which is free from discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at AKU are based on business needs, job requirements and individual?s qualifications and experience, without regard to race, colour, caste or creed, national, social or ethnic origin, gender (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification). AKU does not discriminate among the job candidates on account of any of these characteristics.

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