Project Manager (Chief Researcher or Research Specialist) - Cape Town Durban and Pretoria at HSRC

Minimum Requirements    

• A completed (or close to completion) PhD degree in the Social Sciences;
• At least 3-5 years’ research management experience in a research environment with a willingness to learn in order to establish yourself as a future independent researcher;
• Exposure to multi-stakeholder and/or multi-country research project management would be an advantage;
• A track record of peer reviewed, accredited publications (at least 3-5 publications, with some first authored);
• An understanding of administrative procedures linked to research processes and activities will be an advantage;
• Fluency in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Competency in computer programmes such as Word, OneDrive, Excel, PowerPoint, referencing software
• Proactive with a problem-solving mindset, advanced organisational skills, the ability to multi-task and with great attention to detail;
• Assertiveness in dealing with colleagues (superiors and subordinates) and external stakeholders in order to complete the task at hand;
• The capacity to work under pressure, to meet deadlines and to work after hours if required;
• Preference will be given to South Africans and those who contribute to meeting the equity targets of the HSRC.

Duties & Responsibilities    

• Coordinate all aspects of the u’GOOD research programme as part of a large multi-country research team under the leadership and guidance of the Principal Investigators and a national research funding partner (NRF), across a maximum of 23 research projects.
• Oversight on the management and co-ordination of programme committees (Project Advisory Group and Continental Advisors) and a few other programme appointments.
• Work closely with Project Administrators and other members of the support function of the unit to ensure all deadlines and milestones are met, and that the project timeline and budget is continually monitored.
• Liaise with country researchers to ensure regular reporting on project progress.
• Convene monthly research team meetings and bi-monthly management meetings, and ensure follow up and implementation of agreed decisions.
• Compile quarterly narrative reports for the funder and prepare agendas for quarterly meetings with funder.
• Supervise the activities of junior and short-term project staff and ensure work is completed on time and to quality.
• Manage data, both quality and storage, and ensure that adequate back-ups are in place, and all team members have access to relevant data and project information.
• Contribute to writing up research findings for the funder, and for conferences and wider publication and dissemination.
• Develop new areas of inquiry within the project in order to further develop own research interests.