Learning Facilitator at The Biovac Institute

Job Description:

The Biovac Institute requires a Learning Facilitator, to contribute to its mission of establishing local biological and vaccine manufacturing capability at its Cape Town based site. Being the only one of its kind in South Africa, Biovac strives to respond to the vaccine needs of the developing countries, specifically South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. This is a particularly exciting time for the company as it continues to grow, strengthen and build on its success and further develop its capabilities, products, services and market diversification.

The successful incumbent will report to Human Capital Effectiveness Manager.

Key Role Responsibilities

• Accountable for all Technical & GMP competency related training delivery linked to training plans. 
• Conduct ongoing research of GMP aligned technical competency development strategies and best practice solutions that ensure the best possible approach to Human Capital Effectiveness (HCE) Biovac. 
• Ensuring all training policies, processes and mediums are developed, implemented and maintained in line with company policy, quality guidelines and skills development compliance requirements
• Participate in the annual HCE budgeting process and the development of the company’s annual training plan.
• Ensuring that the Technical/ GMP training programs are developed and implemented in line with regulations (e.g. SAPHRA), the company’s quality culture and relevant local & international guidelines and standards (e.g. PICS & WHO).
• Together with SME fraternity, develop and compile training programs and content to support continuous improvement and capacity building in line with the HCE Budget.
• Develop practical competency assessment schedules against which staff can be assessed as competent, not competent or competent to teach others
• Structure training material development in line with SETA accreditation requirements and commence accreditation where possible.
• Evaluate proposed individual development against training needs analysis and annual training priorities to ensure wise investment is achieved and aligned with planned priorities.  
• Together with SME fraternity, lead the implementation of all GMP and technical training activities
• Identify and work with local and international service providers to outsource/ insource elements of training in line with the training plans.
• Measure deadlines against annual training plan and ensure timeous conclusion of interventions. Ensure training is rolled out timeously to drive return of investment through effectiveness and efficiency of people in their role performance.
• Ensure SOP, equipment, systems and on the job technical training is rolled out timeously to drive effectiveness and efficiency of both people and instruments.
• Participate in introductory training of new starters during the company induction programme Develop and maintain training curriculum templates and sign off completed curriculums.  
• Identify training shortcomings during OOS investigations and customize training in problem/ complex areas, to enable employees to understand and optimize existing systems.
• Support line managers with initiation of interventions that address system / operation problems related to staff competence.
• Ensure training systems are well aligned with SOP requirements and maintain GMP audit readiness and participation.
• Provide coaching on training requirements and GMP needs to department managers and site.
• Oversee reporting of training results to relevant departments and report on complete and incomplete training trends and competency results metrics.
• Ensure accurate training data and metrics are always maintained and that training reports are provided to management and staff timeously.
• Participate in the automation of the learning management system.

Generic competencies required to perform the role:

• Strong planning, organising, sleek execution skills, holistic thinking, creative problem solving & innovation skills, effective stakeholder collaboration and influencing skills, commercial awareness, action & results oriented, assertive & resilient, tolerant of diversity, adaptable in responding to change, proactive in mitigating risk, clear, timely and effective communication skills both verbally and in writing, analytical ability.

Technical competencies required to perform the role:

• Process development, working knowledge of automated learning management systems, experience in training needs analysis, processes development and review, curriculum development, training material development, training facilitation, metrics & KPI development, report writing & presentation, operational costing & budgeting, statistical literacy, coaching & mentoring skills.
• Intermediate proficiency in the full Microsoft office 365 package including word, excel, PowerPoint, planner, teams and Sharepoint.

Experience & industry accreditation/ knowledge:

Required:

• At least 8 years’ experience in (functional area(s) 
• Experience in quality compliance within a cGMP facility.
• Business and operational planning.
• Program and project management
• Participation in developing a departmental budget and monitoring expenditure

Preferred:

• Working knowledge of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing related legislation
• Experience in aseptic (sterile) manufacturing
• Accreditation in training facilitation
• Experience/ exposure in understanding training needs analysis for organizations
• Experience in having faced successfully local and/ or international manufacturing audits

Qualifications:

• Required: Degree/Diploma in Microbiology / Biotechnology, Pharmacy or equivalent
• Preferred: Postgraduate
• Recognition is given to Prior Learning and practical experience.

Other Requirements

• Own reliable transport
• Ability to travel