Senior Research Officer - Cape Town at University of Cape Town

Requirements:

• Ph.D. degree (or nearing completion) or equivalent in Clinical or Counselling Psychology, Psychiatry or a related social science.
• At least 2 years of appropriate clinical research experience preferably in community based behavioural or psychotherapy research
• Demonstrable clinical research experience preferably in community based behavioural or psychotherapy research
• Demonstrable clinical or theoretical knowledge of evidence-based brief psychotherapies
• Demonstrable experience training non-mental health professionals such as nurses, social workers and/or lay counsellors
• Demonstrable experience working in HIV preferably with first-hand knowledge of substance use disorders and antiretroviral (ART) adherence issues
• Demonstrable project management experience
• Organisational and logistical skills, including experience in writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)
• Computing skills appropriate for clinical research
• Verbal, written and reading fluency in English
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Valid Driver’s License and own reliable transport
• Ability to manage a team and work well within the team

In addition to the above, the following would be advantageous:

• Ability to work with or supervise staff working in the field of substance use and ART adherence
• Demonstrable research experience related to data safety and monitoring in a clinical trial
• Experience using REDCap or other data management software
• Knowledge or awareness of biological measures of antiretroviral adherence
• Familiarity with UCT (or other tertiary institution) administration processes

Responsibilities:

• Project managing Project Khanya: an RCT on the effectiveness of a stepped-care, peer-delivered intervention to improve ART adherence and substance use disorder in primary care.
• Supervising the study team comprising counsellors, nurses, research assistants, translators, recruiters, and a part-time psychologist
• Teaching and supervising at a postgraduate level
• Liaising with project partners, government, and other stakeholders Liaising with internal UCT administration, communications, and finance systems in relation to project administration
• Assisting in securing the required permission to conduct the study with relevant government stakeholders
• Adapting and preparing study materials including manuals and worksheets
• Overseeing the recruitment and retention of participants
• Training and supervising interventionists in the administration of the intervention, including quality assurance procedures
• Monitoring ART adherence and oversight of biological specimen collection procedures
• Oversight of data collection
• Completing and submitting study forms and reports
• Managing project finances
• Report and manuscript writing
• Troubleshooting including resolving fieldwork and project-related problems as they arise
• Office administration and management