Latest Job Opportunities 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.

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Job Advert Summary    
The CCBR is looking for a suitably qualified persons to take on the responsibilities of Deputy Study Coordinator for research projects implemented at the Sweetwaters office. The successful candidates will be assigned to coordinate multi-year projects conducting research in the community setting. There is one (1) position offered on a 12 month contract.

Minimum Requirements:

• Honours/Masters degree in relevant field.
• At least 3-4 years' experience in a similar role within a research environment
• Demonstrated computer literacy (including Excel, Word, Outlook & Adobe).
• Minimum 3-4 years’ experience in data entry, able to capture data efficiently and accurately;
• Minimum 3-4 years’ experience in conducting QC / QA of research data;
• Minimum 3-4 years’ experience in the research environment identifying data collection errors and facilitating corrections according to good clinical practice guidelines;
• Able to understand and implement the data processing procedures for multiple project as per the approved project protocol;
• Able to engage and work closely within the component, and with project personnel to ensure the highest standards of data quality and adherence to the study protocol;
• Willing and able to be based (consecutive nights-outs) in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal province;
• Willingness to work after hours and over weekends and in rural communities;
• Ability to speak both isiZulu and English.

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• Masters degree in relevant field;
• Clinical research and trial(s) experience;
• Commitment to working as part of a multi-disciplinary research team;
• Ability to work to strict deadlines;
• Ability to problem solve and to be well organised;
• Accuracy and attention to detail;
• Good knowledge of HIV/AIDS
• Ability to actively contribute to team performance and work independently;
• GCP certification;
• REDCap experience;
• Drivers license;
• Technologically savvy.

Duties & Responsibilities    
Key responsibilities:

• Co-ordination of Research Activities
• Engaging with stakeholders and gatekeepers
• Project implementation and ongoing support and monitoring
• Development of and ensuring compliance with SOPs
• Ensuring timely accrual of participants in the study for allocated teams
• Ensure security of study documentation
• Compiling of reports on request of study manager and/or study director
• Organize training of team
• Coordinate and lead team meetings
• Prepare and send weekly report to study manager and/or study director
• Vehicle fleet management for assigned team
• Supervision and Training
• Supervision and training of allocated teams
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Assure study integrity, ethical conduct of research and timely reporting of results
• Oversee the logistical and scheduling issues associated with the study, including meetings with site personnel, and personnel issues
• Conduct study monitoring site visits
• Support the study coordinator in all projects related activities
• Primary point of contact for assigned projects, leading data processing and quality checking per the project protocol;
• Supervise issue and receipt of study documentation;
• Data transmission and data downloads from data collection and processing tools;
• Ensuring timely data entry within agreed benchmarks for completion and data quality;
• Filing and document management and archival for assigned projects;
• Identifying and flagging missing/inconsistent data for resolution;
• Query resolution and reporting;
• Quarterly data audits;
• Tracking and providing reports of QC metrics to study manager and study director.
• Support the Project Manager to ensure research protocols are implemented with strict adherence to the protocol, SOPs and CRF completion requirement in accordance with GCP;
• Ensure that tasks delegated to Data collectors are done and monitor their progress;
• Keep total enrolment/completion numbers updated and available for reports;
• Conduct training and refresher training related to improvement of data collection;
• Assist in preparing participant files including printing of paper forms (CRFs), and assembling files with dividers, labels and appropriate forms and data collection tools;
• Perform daily quality control checks of CRFs, surveys and other data collection tools;
• Ensure forms are filled correctly and there are no blanks or missing information;
• If data is missing on the forms, immediately notify the individual who filled the form and have them correct or fill in the missing data on the same day;
• Ensure that daily entry of data from participant files/forms into the REDCap database is accurately done;
• Assist with data cleaning and analysis as requested;
• Ensure proper version control is maintained for all CRFs and data collection tools;
• Review and verify all source data to ensure the completeness, accuracy and consistency;
• Assist with development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to ensure accurate and efficient entry of data into the REDCap database, including spot-check and "double entry" of data entered by the Data Collectors;
• Ensure accuracy of data entered in data abstraction forms, locator forms, enrolment log, blood specimen register etc;
• Ensure completeness of files after participant completes study enrolment or drops out during enrolment;
• Recommend and monitor corrective and preventive actions;
• Ensure files are not placed in locations where they can be damaged by rain/floods, theft etc;
• Ensure that all files are returned to locked file cabinets at the end of each day;
• Ensure all surveys, forms and lab results are placed in correct tabs and secured in the file folders;
• Ensure patients files are never removed from the clinic for any reason;
• Assist with data cleaning and analysis as requested.
• Willing and able to be based (consecutive nights-outs) in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal province;
• Problem solving Skills
• Planning and coordinating skills
• Written & verbal Communication skills

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Minimum Requirements    

• A PhD in Education, Economics, Sociology or in a related social sciences or humanities field;
• At least eight (8) years of research and management experience, preferably in a research institution or a university;
• Excellent writing skills in drafting briefing papers, reports, and academic publications for wider public dissemination of research findings;
• At least 20 peer-reviewed publications (books, books chapters, journal articles), of which several must be international, and several must be first or sole authored;
• Relevant quantitative and or qualitative research experience;
• Extensive experience in securing funding for research;
• Good research project management experience and the ability and enthusiasm to lead research teams in a large multidisciplinary research division;
• Intellectual leadership in a specified area, personal integrity, imagination and drive; and
• Skills in managing, mentoring and training team members.

Duties & Responsibilities    

• Identify key research areas in support of national, African and global South development agendas;
• Formulate targeted research proposals and secure funding on a sustainable basis to enable policy relevant, strategic research projects;
• Implement and manage high quality, large scale, long-term research studies with a focus on social impact;
• Deliver high-quality results and reports to budget and deadline;
• Stimulate public debate, civil society engagement, and develop communities of practice to ensure uptake of evidence to transform educational and economic outcomes;
• Produce high quality knowledge outputs through publishing in accredited refereed journals, books, and book chapters and with collaborators on the African continent;
• Ensure research impact through government and stakeholder engagement, policy briefs and research reviews;
• Communicate research findings across multiple media platforms and at academic conferences and forums; and
• Develop research skills and competencies through formal and informal training for self and others.