The Project Manager support the development and delivery of major research grants being conducted. They will work with and need to develop strong relationships with key stakeholders including academic collaborators, external funding partners, and administrative teams of partnering research institutions in Kenya/East Africa and especially in Oxford University. You will need to understand the financial reporting requirements in the KEMRI-Wellcome programme and all its governance arrangements and understand appropriate research funding arrangements. There will be a need to understand all the reporting requirements of project funders and international collaborators. You will be responsible for the details of project management that ensure milestones are met and programs of work remain within budget.
Post holder will be expected to work in collaboration with operations team members with more specific responsibilities in finance, procurement, human resources and communications.
They will also take primary responsibility for financial, administrative and project milestone reporting working together with a Senior Project Manager in Oxford University and with research Principal and co-Investigators who are grant holders.
REPORTS TO:
Principal Investigator and Study Supervisor
DIRECT REPORTS:
Executive Administrator and Administrative Assistant
INDIRECT REPORTS: none
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- To work with senior scientists from across the Clinical Information Network in support of effective liaison with hospitals in Kenya, the Ministry of Health, professional associations, patient representative groups and other stakeholders and manage such stakeholder communications
- To monitor project milestones and deliverables, identify potential delays, bottlenecks and their effects on project deliverables; and implement strategies to ensure operational effectiveness.
- Be responsible for the timely production of scientific and administrative reports with the Kenyan and Oxford team members with specific roles in the preparation of financial reports as required to ensure compliance with funders’ terms and conditions
- Plan and track capital, operating budgets and expenditures in liaison with the finance and grants departments of the KWTRP, Oxford and project partners.
- To liaise with the KEMRI-Wellcome finance, procurement and human resources teams and assist personnel working on projects to achieve project objectives and follow policies and operating procedures.
- To be responsible for scientific and administrative documentation such as protocols, ethics documentation and correspondence with collaborators. Monitor, and maintain records of, scientific outputs from the projects and disseminate project achievements appropriately;
- To work alongside senior administrators in drafting and setting up of all research related contracts, e.g. collaborative agreements, funding agreements, and support subsequent amendments to these contracts. Assist with due diligence reviews as per funders’ requirements.
- To monitor research work by project members (to identify potential issues and to provide solutions) and implement strategies to mitigate risks.
- Support the Principal and Co- Investigators with recruitment activity, liaising closely with the HR teams; Draft job descriptions/adverts, shortlist and interview candidates and manage/support the process of appraisals and continuous professional development
- Contribute to the design and maintenance of project websites and written materials, in compliance with funders’ expectations and best practice
- To manage project events (e.g. partner meetings, workshops); this includes budget management, organisation and bookings, event administration and publicity;
- To work alongside the Oxford Senior Programme Manager and Oxford and Kenya operations teams to cost applications for internal and external funding, advise on interpreting the financial guidelines of funding bodies for each scheme; analyse the financial and resource implications of any application, and highlight any risks inherent in the project
- To ensure that any new application is completed and submitted to the funder by its deadline; that all audit requirements are met; the application complies with the funders' terms and conditions.
- Contribute to collaborative decisions that affect research projects
- Represent the research projects to relevant internal committees, funding agencies and external organizations
- Undertake other duties as assigned
SKILLS AND COMPETENCE: state the educational background, experience & skills required to perform the job
Required:
- Masters in Project Management, Business Administration or related filed
- Minimum 6 years’ experience in management projects using project management tools
- professional qualification in Project management; Certificate in Prince2 Practitioner or PMP is Mandatory. Certificate in ITIL or Prince2 or Agile will be added advantage
- Demonstrated successful management (3 years) of technical experience at a senior position or Managerial position managing complex project including preparing financial reports, project milestone reports and roles in budgeting/forecasting, tracking expenditure and staffing supervision.
- Highly developed problem solving and organization skills, with an ability to meet competing deadlines
- Ability to communicate effectively to a high standard, including relatively complex scientific matters, orally and in writing
- Ability and willingness to actively contribute towards developing and improving innovative ways of working and managing projects and research programmes
Desirable
- Prior experience working on health-related projects / programmes
- Experience in accounting practice or of accountancy qualifications is added advantage
- Experience in communications for example developing print or online materials to explain projects
COMPETENCIES
- Have good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Be able to meet assigned deadlines and uphold team spirit.
- Good understanding of Project Management Framework
- Excellent computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office package.
- Trouble shooting capacity and clarity of thought
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:
- Based at the KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Be available to work out of hours if necessary.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
To apply for this post you must be a registered user. Log into your account then go to Vacancies, view the post and click on the button: "Apply for this job".
All applicants are required to state their current/last salary.
Candidates must supply an email and telephone contact that will be used when offering interviews. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates shall be required to produce ORIGINALS of their National Identity Card, academic and professional certificates, original transcripts and testimonials, detailed curriculum vitae and valid clearance certificate (certificate of good conduct) during the interviews.
The application closing date is 7th February 2020
KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is an equal opportunity employer. Direct or indirect canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. KWTRP does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees).