Unit Director - Cochrane South Africa (R691A) at The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)

Key Responsibilities:

The Unit Director position calls for a senior researcher with international standing, proven leadership skills and the ability to enhance and maintain a centre of excellence that facilitates the generation and dissemination of Cochrane systematic reviews, methodological research and primary research to enhance evidence-informed healthcare and policy. Applicants should possess the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• Considerable experience and understanding in the conduct of Cochrane reviews or equivalent systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
• Experience in health-related research at a senior level, with international standing
• Extensive experience in the management of projects, staff and budgets, including the development of a multi-year programme of work.
• Sound knowledge of the health system and disease burden of South Africa and the African region
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and a passionate champion of ‘evidence-based medicine/practice’.
• Extensive experience or knowledge of the working of The Cochrane Collaboration, within South Africa and/or internationally.
• Experience in training others in these methods.
• Ability to work collaboratively, and to provide leadership.
• Ability to work with people from a range of backgrounds, including healthcare and methodological specialists.
• Advance transformation by mentoring and building capacity in accordance with the SAMRC’s Employment Equity Plan
• Develop, implement and monitor progress of the Transformation Strategy of the Unit.

Core Requirements:

• The post requires that the jobholder have a medical degree with specialist qualifications or a doctoral degree preferably in the health sciences, with a sound knowledge of epidemiology and/ biostatistics and a minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of health research. Experience in knowledge translation would be advantageous. The post holder should have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel nationally, and internationally.