Research Manager at Program for Accessible Health Communication and Education (PACE)

Job Description

Job title: Research Manager
Based in: Kampala
Reporting Line: Executive Director
Anticipated Start date: April 2022.

Who we are?
Program for Accessible Health Communication and Education (PACE) is a local Health NonGovernmental Organization in Uganda and an Independent Network Member of Population Service International (PSI). PACE’s work focuses on achieving universal health care coverage by addressing the health needs of Ugandans through consumer powered healthcare approaches and affordability of health products in the areas of HIV/TB, Reproductive Health, Malaria, Maternal and Child Health and access to clean water. For more information, please visit www.pace.org.ug

Join us
We are looking for an experienced Individual to take on the role of Research Manager. The position will provide strategic leadership over the research unit and oversee the development of the PACE research protocols, acquisitions of appropriate approvals and oversee the implementation of all PACE research and monitor, evaluate, and learning to inform program improvement in line with PACE mission.

A member of the senior leadership team, the position shall guide, manage, supervise, mentor and coach staff under his/her supervision as well as

Sound interesting? Read on…

Your contribution

Duties and Responsibilities

Planning
 Develop an annual research Plan (ARP) based on the knowledge requirements for PACE projects.
 Engage in relevant MoH TWGs to ensure stake holder engagement and research buy-in at national sub-national levels to facilitate research utilization.
 Prepare study protocols according to program information needs and in line with best practices in collaboration with the backstop team.
 Prepare and submit research protocols to ethical review committees for clearance for all designed studies before study activities can commence.
 Develop and review training materials, field work manuals and other data collection procedures
 Develop and monitor research budgets, workplans and procurement plans

Study coordination
 Oversee the implementation of the PACE research and supervise research consultants
research officers and temporary staff and manage all research activities or studies in line
with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and available resource pool
 Oversee compliance with all applicable research laws and regulation and PACE research policies following best practices.
 Oversee all field PACE research activities at the assigned regional offices, and associated district offices, including research logistics management, assessment and testing, transport of specimens, procurement and distribution of supplies, and storage of data and supplies.
 Coordinate regular meetings for all investigators and collaborators at national and
international levels
 Maintain updated regulatory binders for all PACE research projects

Analysis and dissemination
 Analyze data and prepare survey reports for studies conducted in accordance with quality data management standards.
 Disseminate all research findings to internal and external stakeholders after finalizing
survey reports for program design and performance measurement.
 Prepare knowledge products from research work (policy briefs, abstracts, publications) for presentation at national and international conferences
 Champion the development of scientific writing culture for all project staff

Key performance indicators
 Conduct regular quality control and quality assurance procedures for PACE research
 Communicate regular updates on study progress, study budget status deviations from study
design and feedback given to research agencies and data collectors
 Anticipate research quality issues and design and revise study procedures accordingly
 Oversee IRB protocol submission and responses
 Oversee data collection activities
 Organize and coordinate meetings and workshops

Key Competencies:
1. The candidate shall live and embody PACE values of Transparency and Accountability;
Recognition and Reward; Innovation and creativity; Open communication and teamwork and Speed and Efficiency
2. create an environment where every individual can thrive by upholding PACE’s policy on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
3. Create a safe and respectful work environment for staff, beneficiaries and third parties by upholding PACE’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policy

Core Qualification
 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree or other degree in health-related field
 Master’s degree in Public Health, Health services research, Epidemiology, Project Planning and Management, statistics, or health related field is a MUST
 Good clinical Practice certificate and human subject protection training are a MUST
 At least three years’ experience with progressive responsibility in management of research
 Experience in large scale quantitative surveys, qualitative process evaluations, prevalence
studies, impact evaluations and others applied on donor funded health projects.
 Experience in overseeing malaria, HIV and TB studies at a national level is an added advantage.
 Publication in peer reviewed journals is an added advantage
 Experience in electronic data collection and quality assurance
 Competence in project management and multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast paced and intensity environment
 Attention to detail
 Flexible and team oriented with strong interpersonal skills
 Customer service oriented – demonstrated the ability to identify customer needs and present benefits to meet customer needs.
 Ability to build strong relationships and network.

Requested Application Material
Interested candidates should email their cover letter, an updated CV and copies of academic
documents [as ONE pdf attachment] addressed to the Human Resource and Administration Unit
to apply@pace.org.ug, indicating the Job title in the subject of the email.

Inclusion of your salary expectation in your cover letter is a key requirement.

Applications should reach us not later than 5.00pm (17h:00) on March 18th, 2022.

Applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to submit your
application as soon as possible!

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PACE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of actual or perceived race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, family status or responsibilities, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions or breastfeeding, genetic information, amnesty, veteran, special disabled veteran or uniform service member status or employment status.

**Please note PACE does not solicit for funds during any recruitment process.