Translational Research Lead at South African National Blood Service (SANBS)

Introduction

• The Translational Research Lead is responsible to generate and support the production of knowledge and research related to blood transfusion and related fields through the development and implementation of high-quality research support services to all SANBS business units.
• To develop, implement and manage research-related governance and regulatory requirements in support of developing research capacity within SANBS. To develop, implement and manage systems to track and report research activities in SANBS, both internal and external collaborations.
• The Translational Research Lead will support internal and external funding applications, management and reporting. Will develop, prepare, implement, track and coordinate grant and external research funding capacity and activities within SANBS.
• The Translational Research Lead will develop work plans to achieve assigned project goals and organise activities with collaborative sites to support project goals.
• This includes training and managing collaborative site personnel and other trial site personnel regarding fidelity of protocols and data collection for the specific assigned process metrics used in the projects under management.

Job description

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS (KPAS)

KPA 1 Participate in Business Planning & Implementation Relating To Translational Research

KPI

• Collaborate with the Manager Translational Research and relevant stakeholders to develop a business plan for the Translational Research department aligned with the SANBS Mission and Vision, with supporting budget and resource requirements, which includes revenue generation.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement through gap analysis and propose and implement remedial action.
• Develop and implement procedures, strategies and standards related to research to accomplish the Vision and Mission of SANBS and the department, comply with legislative requirements and maintain quality standards of blood transfusion research practice throughout SANBS.
• Implementation of research policies and agreements through education and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of the departmental budget. Monitor budget expenses for specified projects and ensure targets and deadlines are met.
• Execute project management processes and methodologies to ensure projects are delivered ontime and within budget, adhere to high quality standards, and benefit the research teams by ensuring smooth implementation of new research projects from conception through study close out.
• Collaborate with internal and external investigators to help meet targets and milestones (ensure timely and accurate submission to SRC, HREC/IRB’s, funders and contract managers) and coordinate with the Manager Translational Research on site remediation, outreach, presentations, and web site content management.
• Develop appropriate reporting metrics, collect data and submit within the specified timeframe to the relevant bodies within and outside of SANBS.
• Collaborate with other Divisions in SANBS (such as the Operations, Marketing and ICT as required) to synergise integrated outcomes.

KPA 2 Quality Assurance and Compliance to Standards of Practice, Policies, Procedures and Protocols

• Ensure successful implementation and maintenance of Translational Research Policies and Procedures and related regulatory requirements with regard to research activities.
• Guide relevant stakeholders in the development of protocols and procedures to guide operational implementation and practice in the specialised area of expertise.
• Guide relevant stakeholders in the development of protocols and procedures to define the criteria for the application, acceptance and monitoring of research projects.
• Coordinate, oversee and provide administrative support to the Scientific Review Committee (SRC), Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and any other governance processes as required.
• Identify risks on a divisional and departmental level and develop plans to mitigate and reduce risk.
• Assist with benchmarking best practice and propose improvements to the Manager Translational Research and the Chairpersons of the SRC, HREC and related bodies.
• Develop and implement systems to ensure that all research requirements are complied with.
• Monitor the quality of vendor deliverables, address quality issues with the appropriate team member and identify opportunities to improve training, execution and quality control across the team.
• Ensures compliance with ICH-GCP, HREC, SAHPRA and other relevant legislation, guidelines and requirements.

KPA 3 Improving Process Integration in the Research and Development Area

• Design and implement the SANBS research agenda and framework.
• Responsible for aspects of management and implementation that enable the creation of a supportive environment for high-quality and relevant research training and output.
• This could include the requisite resources, including people, funding, partners, facilities and infrastructure.
• Identify and develop research training modules in collaboration with business units and/or external stakeholders through conceptualisation, design, inception, development and monitoring to handover to the relevant business function or external stakeholder.
• Manage post-graduate research programmes to ensure induction and orientation of Masters, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral students as well as reporting of the progress of such students to relevant bodies.
• Develop, implement and support system/s to facilitate the submission of congress abstracts, research applications, manuscripts and other research output in an efficient, consistent manner that complies with SANBS branding policies and procedures.
• Guide and facilitate the submission of project reports to the appropriate legislative, regulatory or funding body.
• Guide and facilitate report backs and evaluate the outcomes to ensure that projects meet legislative, regulatory or funding requirements.
• Develop and implement grant application processes, manage, track and report on grant activities, assist in the financial grant reporting, and guide and assist with annual reports to the grantor.
• Perform as well as guide and assist SANBS employees and collaborators with quantitative and qualitative research projects and data analysis.

KPA 4 Customer and Stakeholder Relationship Building

• Participate, review and action the research training needs of the various SANBS divisions.
• Serve as liaison and facilitate, manage and report on meetings between project stakeholders and leadership and complete and maintain professional documentation for projects and deliverables, develop SOPs as needed, and assist in the auditing and monitoring of studies.
• Actively develop and sustain strategic external partnerships that support and expand the research and development programme.
• Implement information technology in all aspects of research operations in line with the SANBS digitalisation strategy.
• Support the establishment of a portal for innovation that will ensure the execution and implementation of viable ideas from SANBS employees or stakeholders.

KPA 5 Personal Development and Management

• Engage in personal performance management and monitoring on on-going basis through participation in mentoring, coaching, and reviews.
• Track individual development by identifying learning and development needs.
• Actively participate in regular two-way communication with line manager on strategy, values, team building, SOPs, policy changes, etc. to ensure understanding and effective execution.
• Ensure accurate personal time-keeping, overtime worked and leave to ensure adherence to HR policies.
• Identify and complete Continuous Professional Development opportunities.
• Attend and participate in meetings and training sessions as required, to remain informed of current field-related developments, to promote knowledge sharing.

Minimum requirements

Education:

• A four-year degree (Bachelor or Bachelor Honours) in Life Sciences, Health Sciences, Nursing, or Pharmacy AND
• Post-graduate qualification in the field of public health, research, biostatistics, epidemiology or similar.
• Master's in Public Health, Life or Health Sciences will be advantageous.

Experience and knowledge requirements:

• 2 Years’ experience in research management and administration.
• Four or more years of biomedical research, regulatory and/or ethics experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office (requirement).
• Grant administration (recommended).
• SAP (recommended).

Other (knowledge and skills):

• Current GCP certification.
• Knowledge of research governance.
• Knowledge of research ethics.
• Knowledge of grant application and administration.
• Drivers licence.
• Knowledge and experience with SAHPRA submissions will be an advantage.

Apply by: 4 February 2026