Project Coordinator at The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

Responsibilities according to Key Performance Areas:

Project Management

• Responsible for the management of a portfolio of projects/grant awards (SHIP, EDCTP3/GHP, SAMRC) to ensure conduct and delivery of the projects in line with approved timelines, milestones and budgets

This includes:

• liaising with PIs and host institutions
• attending regular project meetings
• raising and addressing matters regarding project activities and budget
• managing disbursements
• reporting back on project progress and status
• project monitoring and support – review technical and financial reports and make recommendations to management.
• developing/updating project summaries on projects being managed
• coordinating review meetings
• filing project documentation
• In consultation with and under the supervision of a Programme Manager and operating within clearly defined boundaries

Program Coordination

• Lead and manage timely submission of high-quality South African Annual Workplans and reports to EDCTP3/GHP (e.g. In-Kind Activities (IKAAs))
• Take initiative to source, extract and collate programme statistics and outputs for funder reports (EDCTP3/GHP, DSTI, OHAMR, SAMRC) and compile the reports for submission. This includes reporting on IKAAS to EDCTP.
• Supply impact assessment reports of SA participation in EDCTP3/GHP, OHAMR, EP-PerMed, and GloPID-R with key statistics & indicators upon request. This includes liaising with the relevant secretariats, project coordinators, and project managers to obtain information on funded SA projects.
• File programme documentation and maintain a database of information related to the administration and management of South African initiatives and projects related to the EU (EDCTP3/GHP, OHAMR, and GloPID-R)
• Take initiative to source relevant EDCTP3/GHP, OHAMR, and GloPID-R calls and other relevant information for reporting to SAMRC and DSTI and dissemination to the SA research community
• Facilitation of RFAs under the supervision and sign-off of programme manager, as required, including:
• liaising with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate drafting and publicizing of RFAs through email, webinars, and/or roadshows, particularly to historically disadvantaged institutions of higher learning and research
• field queries from applicants and institutions
• facilitate the peer review and selection processes including coordinating selection committee meetings
• contribute to the preparation of EMC submissions for award approvals
• facilitate drafting and signing of funding agreements
• provide feedback to applicants, including award letters and project initiation letters

Stakeholder Liaison

• Serve as focal point of all South African EDCTP3/GHP and, OHAMR funded projects and initiatives for efficient and effective coordination and administration.
• Act as a communication linkage between General Assembly members in DSTI/SAMRC and the EDCTP Africa Office in any scientific and policy matters in the interest of both EDCTP3/GHP and South Africa.
• Contribute to arranging and participating in internal and external stakeholder events/meetings, including support for agenda preparation and dissemination of meeting materials and drafting media outputs
• Support meeting planning and logistics in coordination with the administration staff, Programme Manager, Corporate and Marketing Division, Office manager and SAMRC Events team for larger beneficiary meetings
• Drafting of meeting reports and monitoring of actions
• Contribute to the preparation of stakeholder communication materials (e.g. website material, presentations, reports, etc.)

Requirements

Core requirements

• 3-year tertiary qualification in a science or related discipline
• At least 2 - 3 years of relevant experience coordinating/ managing projects/grants (i.e. proven project management skills) as defined in the core key performance areas stipulated above.
• Experience in stakeholder liaison including coordinating stakeholder events/meetings

Advantageous:

• BSc degree or equivalent in biomedical science or related discipline
• Demonstrated experience working in a public funding and/or research environment or similar, managing or coordinating projects, grants, fellowships or scholarships.
• Experience working in international research funding programmes, particularly European Union/Commission-related funding programmes.
• Experience in multi-institutional programme coordination including contract management