Project Coordinator - GIPD - R 622A at The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

• GIPD division is seeking a Project Coordinator to take responsibility for the administration and management of a portfolio of projects aimed at addressing priority diseases in South Africa including: HIV, TB, maternal and child health, antimicrobial resistance, COVID-19, and others. The projects are primarily funded by the SAMRC through the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships (SHIP) and Grand Challenges South Africa programmes and the incumbent will report to the Program manager.

Responsibilities:

Project Management:

• responsible for the management of a portfolio of 5-10 small/medium projects/grant awards and/or technologies to ensure conduct and delivery of the projects in line with approved timelines, milestones and budgets.
• liaising with PIs and host institutions·attend regular project meetings.
• raise and address matters regarding project activities and budget manage disbursements.
• report back on project progress and status
• project monitoring and support – review technical and financial reports and make recommendations to management.
• coordinate review meetings
• file project documentation

Programme Administration & Facilitation of RFAs

• Assist the programme manager to track and monitor project progress.
• Coordinate sourcing and analysis of programme outputs (e.g. reports, publications, and students) for programme reporting purposes
• Coordinate execution of contracts and extensions as required.
• Process project payments and ensure all relevant documentation and approvals are in place, in liaison with GIPD Finance Officer
• File and maintain accurate programme documentation including proposals, progress and financial reports, contracts, invoices, meeting minutes, project records and documentation, including contracts, invoices, and meeting minutes.
• Schedule project and programme meetings, prepare or contribute to agenda preparation as required, and compile meeting minutes and reports, and follow up on action items.
• Arrange logistics for project and programme meetings in liaison with GIPD Office Manager as required.

Facilitation of RFAs includes:

• Liaison with internal and stakeholders to draft and publicize RFA.
• liaising with internal stakeholders to draft and publicize RFA.
• field queries from PIs and institutions
• facilitate the peer review and selection processes, including coordinating panel meetings.
• prepare EMC submissions for award approvals.
• provide feedback to applicants, including project initiation letters.
• facilitate drafting and signing of funding agreements.
• contribute to reports to management and funders on the program (s)

Stakeholder Liaison

Contribute to arranging and participate in stakeholder/strategic partner events/ meetings (e.g. Grand Challenges partner meetings)

• support meeting planning and logistics in coordination with the Programme Manager, Office Manager and SAMRC Events team for larger meetings
• support agenda preparation and dissemination of meeting materials
• drafting and monitoring of actions from partner meetings
• Contribute to preparation of stakeholder communication materials (e.g. website material, presentations, reports, marketing materials, press releases, project pamphlets, etc.)

Core Requirements:

• 3-year relevant tertiary qualification in a science or biomedical or similar qualification or higher
• At least 1 year of relevant experience coordinating/ managing projects (i.e. Proven project management skills)

Advantageous:

• BSc degree or higher in a biomedical science or related discipline
• Experience in a public and/or grant funding environment
• Demonstrated experience working in a fund/grant administration environment or similar, managing or coordinating project portfolios
• Preferably demonstrated experience in working across academia, government departments, industry, and philanthropy
• A working knowledge of / background in research in one of the listed priority disease areas and product development