Manager (Research), Community Health Sciences

Job Description

Manager (Research)- Department of Community Health SciencesEntity: Aga Khan UniversityLocation: KarachiIntroduction to the Aga Khan University: IntroductionThe Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) is the leading unit of its type in Pakistan, recognized regionally and internationally for the relevance, quality and extent of its work in support of public health and the development of primary health care systems. It comprises of five major operational sections: Epidemiology & biostatistics, Health policy & management, Population & reproductive health, Environmental health, and Non-communicable diseases & mental health.The Global Network for Women?s and Children?s Health Research is the flagship research collaboration of the Reproductive Health research group at the Department of CHS. At the Global Network research site in Thatta, a prospective, population-based active surveillance of pregnancies is maintained. The data from the registry/surveillance also provide the mortality and morbidity outcomes for Global Network trials and help investigators plan future studiesResponsibilitiesYou will be responsible to:

• assistproject PIs/Co-PIs in the accomplishment of assigned goals as per the project objectives
• obtainall applicable study approvals, such as approvals from different entities such as Institutional bioethics committee, finance, HR, S&S, legal office, research office, clinical trial unit, research sites/hospital & regulatory authority of Pakistan as required
• give advice/ troubleshoot to ensure smooth flow of the project activities
• prepare and compileof study progress / final reports in consultation with study investigators
• ensuregood data quality
• manage clinical trials/sub studies of GN conducting in Thatta/Karachi/ and/or any other study site
• develop SoPs, training, and procedures to facilitate standardized practices at all field sites
• implementand supervise projects activities, development of instruments for data collection and monitoring
• liaison with study partners for meeting project objectives
• represent implementation team as and when needed
• focal person for coordination with the entire project team and communications via email, in-person with funding agencies and all partners for project technical matters
• developmanuscripts and research project reports
• plan and write new manuscripts, consent forms, and other ancillary material (i.e., research subject instructional guides, research manuals) and revise/amend existing documents as necessary
• contribute in preparing study material, prepare reports, and assist in the writing of research findings for papers, presentations, and other documents
• assist PI in developing grant proposals
• recruit, hireand supervisetrials/sub studies? staff of multiple trials/projects alongside with PI and HR.
• ensure supplies availability at sites to ensure continuous and smooth flow of activities
• coordinate national/international internship activities under the P&RH section. Provide direction and leadership, delegate, and possess strong organisational skills
• obtainall applicable approvals from institutional review board (IRBs), such as approvals from AKU Ethical Review Committee, National Bioethics Committee.
• analyse and review IRB applications to ensure completeness and compliance with institutional policies, AKU ERC and national bioethics guidelines.
• conduct monitoring of GN/RH approved human research projects as per IRB standards.
• identify and resolve discrepancies between IRB protocol and research protocol, and interpret and ensure compliance with sponsor, university, and policies
• develop and implement a more robust and user-friendly Grant Regulatory System to ensure maximum facilitation which includes grant checklist/pre-award management systems, MTAs, CoI forms
• task development, assignment of tasks to research team and monitoring/ quality assurance, track target results
• developand maintainliaison with government, local stakeholders, private providers.

• a minimum of Master?s in Epidemiology and Biostatistics / Public Health, or related area
• a minimum of12 years experiencein project management in the health sector with at least 5-7 years of experience in the field of Reproductive Health
• scientific publications in peer reviewed journals
• excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and presentation skills
• excellent verbal and written command of English and Urdu language
• ability to produce project reports for funding agencies/project partners
• ability to meet stringent deadlines and handle diverse tasks simultaneously
• professional experience and sound knowledge of project management
• ability to plan and deliver complex tasks
• ability to monitor and evaluate research studies
• lead and provide supportive supervision to research staff
• excellent ability to manage multiple tasks effectively under work pressure
• good analytical skills, critical thinking & reasoning
• proficiency in use of related computer software such as MS Office, SPSS, Stata, etc.
• willing to travel to study sites for research activities for extended timings

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