Director of Research

Job Description

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community.DescriptionThe Task Force for Global Health (TFGH), based in Atlanta and founded nearly 40 years ago to advance health equity, works with partners in more than 150 countries to eliminate diseases, ensure access to vaccines and essential medicines, and strengthen health systems to protect populations. The Center for Vaccine Equity (CVE) works to assure all people have equal access to life-saving vaccines by expanding availability, supporting vaccine impact studies, and building delivery systems that facilitate access in developing countries. The ultimate goal is to build sustainable national adult vaccination platforms.JOB DESCRIPTION:

• The Director of Research for the Brighton Collaboration (BC) works with the Scientific Director, BC in assessing data and information leading to science-related decisions that govern BCs work.
• The Director of Research will link directly with key partner organizations such as CEPI, CDC, Ministries of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), pharmaceutical partners, and other organizations involved in vaccine safety.
• The Director of Research will provide support and technical expertise to key funded projects (see below for initial allocations) and seek funding for additional projects as opportunity arises.
• Director of Research will represent the program in various national and international settings.
• Performs related responsibilities as required.

BRIGHTON COLLABORATION:For the last two decades, the Brighton Collaboration has built trust in the safety of vaccines through rigorous science. It does this by developing standards [e.g., case definitions for adverse events following immunization (AEFI)/of special interest (AESI)], guidance, protocols, tools and international monitoring approaches for globally harmonized safety assessment of human vaccines (e.g., those in the WHO Expanded Program on Immunizations (EPI), vaccines for pandemic use, and others under development).SPEAC Project (50%): The Safety Platform for Emergency vACcines (SPEAC) is a BC project funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI). The project supports CEPIs mission to stimulate and accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and enable access to these vaccines for people during outbreaks by creating capacity and solutions for harmonized safety assessment of CEPI vaccines. SPEAC 1.0, the first phase of this partnership which began May of 2019 and is funded through August 2022, provided oversight of vaccine safety for all trials, and potentially identifying issues of relevance across priority platforms and pathogens. The mission of SPEAC 2.0 is to provide best available scientific evidence on the safety of CEPI vaccines to support timely benefit-risk assessment during the vaccine life cycle. SPEAC 2.0 will support CEPI 2.0 by providing a harmonized vaccine safety assessment and monitoring service for CEPI and its awardees, in as many geographic regions where emerging pathogen vaccine studies will be conducted as budget permits with a focus on LMIC. It will do this by constantly reviewing and summarizing literature, evidence arising from expert groups and transforming this into educational and operational tools, definitions, guidelines, and best practice for harmonized safety assessment.CARESAFE Project (30%): Within the context of the CVEs COVID-19 Vaccine Introduction Program (COVP) in up to 50 low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), funded in February, 2021, the CARESAFE project builds on existing CDC Global Immunization Division (GID)/Global Immunization Safety Team (GIST) and Task Force for Global Health (TFGH)/Brighton Collaboration (BC) platforms and technical expertise to work with 4 LMIC to pilot several, many relatively novel to LMIC, approaches to strengthen their vaccine safety capacity.Brighton Collaboration Program (20%): In collaboration with the Scientific Director, the Director of Research will develop a strategy for building on the legacy of the Brighton Collaboration and secure funding to strengthen the infrastructure and sustain ongoing efforts. In addition, the Scientific Director will have oversight of the website, staff, and collaborators including the BC Coordinators, volunteers, and science board.PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:LEADERSHIP:

• Assumes a senior role in the planning, development, and implementation of various aspects of a complex global program.
• Serve as a liaison and key spokesperson as required to various committees and organizations.
• May lead policy formulation, strategy development, and management of daily operations.
• Collaborate with representatives from private, government, and international agencies to design, implement and/or evaluate program-related projects and strategies that effectively address the public needs associated with the program.
• Conducts research, designs new initiatives, and writes publishable articles and papers.
• Draft grant proposals and prepare/present associated reports to funding organizations Engage in fundraising initiatives on behalf of the program.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT:

• Manages the overall continuous quality improvement by working closely with the Scientific Director
• Manages the implementation of strategic, comprehensive, integrated communications plans for the Vaccine Safety Program staff and TFGH community.
• Implements policies, and prepares reports, agendas, and other work products.
• Implements Task Force policies and standard operating procedures.
• Provides day-to-day operations support for program staff.
• May represent the Collaboration on committees and at conferences and meetings.

CARESAFE Project:

• Provides day-to-day technical oversight, serves as the primary technical point of contact for the Project, provides support and technical expertise for in-country safety monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines and the ongoing assessment of their benefits and risks; provides technical advice on the implementation and evaluation of vaccine safety system strengthening activities in coordination with other technical partners.
• Oversees or supports related special projects including post-introduction evaluations.

SPEAC Project:

• Provide technical support to the SPEAC project and related working groups. Upon SPEAC 2.0 proposal approval, ensure that the approved scope is well understood, the implementation planned, and the appropriate resources available to meet project objectives.
• Manage process for escalation of stakeholder issues to decision and recommended action
• Scientific dissemination (draft of scientific reports, conference, publications, etc.)
• Liaise with CEPI and SPEAC Program Managers on project status
• Prioritize and follow up on new requests from CEPI and/or developers
• Assess performance versus established goals and identify ways to address deficiencies or inefficiencies

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:

• Provides support and supervisory oversight to BC full-time staff, consultants, volunteers, and students; and assures they to assist them in achieving their performance goals.
• Provides input and guidance into the staffing process; actively participates in staff recruitment, development, and retention activities.
• In collaboration with the Scientific Director, provides guidance and recommendations for allocation of resources and the assignment of specific management roles across various Vaccine Safety Program projects.
• Responsible for working with program funders to ensure adequate financial and narrative reporting.

TRAVEL:Up to 20% International travelMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• MD or PhD with training in public health, epidemiology, or related field and five years of related work experience, or equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
• Prefer at least five years working in vaccine safety or immunization program related fields.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with pharmacoepidemiology/vigilance/vaccine safety monitoring programs in both high and low-and middle-income countries.
• Familiarity with WHO COVID-19 vaccines: safety surveillance manual
• Strong skills in the design and field implementation of epidemiologic studies of rare outcomes, including protocol development, questionnaire design, ethical review, database management, training of field staff, overseeing field data collection, data entry and cleaning, and scientific and statistical data analysis.
• Experience working with immunization programs, regulatory authorities, and/or other disease surveillance programs in the development and updating of national guidelines and related tools.
• Experience with the design and implementation of active disease surveillance, operations research, and program evaluation methodologies.
• Experience working internationally with ministries of health and non-governmental organizations in developing countries.
• Knowledge of mobile/electronic data collection and computing platforms, and data file construction;
• Ability to think conceptually, strategically, organizationally, and analytically and develop pragmatic solutions to complex problems as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience working with U.S. government agencies, Ministries of Health, National
• Regulatory Authorities, especially low- and middle-income countries.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent written and verbal English skills.
• Highly organized with demonstrated skills working with competing priorities, time and project management, and completing tasks under deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential information in a discreet and professional manner.

NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, with intent to return to an Emory University location in the future. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.Emory Supports a Diverse and Inclusive CultureTo ensure the safety of our campus community, the COVID-19 vaccine is required. For more information on the University and Hospital policies and potential exemptions, please see our website.Emory University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, genetic information, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veterans status. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment on the basis of any factor stated above or prohibited under applicable law. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in University programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Executive Order 11246, as amended, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. Emory University is committed to achieving a diverse workforce through application of its affirmative action, equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policy in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.

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