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Job Title:   Program Manager   

Organisation: Medical Research Council (MRC UK) /UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit

Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda

Reports to: Head of Research Support Office

 

About the Company:

The Medical Research Council (MRC UK) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence with dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research, social-behavioural research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council (MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts.

 

Job Summary:   The position holder will be responsible for the provision of Programme Management support which includes strategic management, business development research operations, and administrative support to a portfolio of projects within a research theme. S/he will coordinate the management of the research activities within a research theme with the support of project managers, officers, and administrators.

 

S/he will guide and supervise Grants Officers to facilitate the harmonization of activities across projects and with external stakeholders to maximize project outputs. In addition, s/he will have a holistic view of the program across a research theme and ensure program coordination, management, administration, compliance, and synergies.

 

S/he will act under the guidance of MRC/UVRI&LSHTM policies and procedures and refer major project decisions to the Head of RSO, and Theme Leader. S/he will coordinate the daily activities of research projects with the support of Project Officers and Administrators aimed at delivering a well-functioning management service within a research theme. S/he will be the interface between the themes with the RSO and will lead in initiating all pre-award activities with the pre-award team.

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Business development;

• Identify suitable funding opportunities and alert the head of theme;
• Actively seek funding opportunities in research areas aligned to the Unit’s strategic research agenda. Support researchers in matching proposals to the right funding scheme;
• Provide overall direction and leadership to the theme portfolio of projects ensuring that
• projects are implemented according to funder terms and conditions and Unit Policy;
• Ensure that approvals for submissions are undertaken and relevant background information collected for submissions;
• Coordinate the grant writing team by putting together different components and support grant submissions through donor portals;
• Support management of the program core budget and facilitate budget approvals and revision processes as the Unit and according to MRC/UKRI and LSHTM policies and procedures;
• Lead the team in fundamental substantive operational issues ensuring optimization of human and financial resources and nurturing a culture of results-driven with highest performance standards;
• Ensure that the Unit rules and regulations concerning proposal submissions, finance, procurement, and HR are adhered to; and support an environment of learning for staff within the program;
• Coordinate the due diligence process and support potential sub-award capacity assessments; and,
• Support work package objective writeup and costing of activities for potential sub-awardee applications.

Program planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;

• Ensure that department policy, SOPs, and guide documents developed for the department work procedures concerning program planning and implementation, are adhered to and develop documents upon request;
• Provide strategic advice, direction, and technical input to PI and the researchers and keep the theme informed about emerging issues and trends;
• Ensure program milestones and timelines are collected for effective monitoring and evaluation of project activities;
• undertake the day-to-day management of the operations of the theme, including effective program implementation and document progress towards the achievement of outputs;
• Oversee the establishment of the monitoring and evaluation plan for projects and ensure its implementation is aligned with the overall department monitoring and evaluation plan;
• Plan and participate in the dissemination activities with the project team;
• Ensure that the management information system established in the department and within the Unit is utilized which allows for the efficient and effective collection, storage, and analysis of data throughout the project life cycle and across programs;

Guide the development of the theme’s communication strategy in close collaboration with relevant partners.

• Ensure that communication strategies adopted by projects are aligned to Unit and funder communication;
• Ensure that Terms of Reference or scope of work are developed for all consultants/experts recruited and ensure proper delivery of technical services and submission of technical and other reports;
• Ensure proper coordination of the project implementation among implementing partners/collaborators promoting timely responses;
• Ensure the timeliness and quality of the outputs as well as timely preparation of reports, and delivery of resources and results according to planned timelines and milestones;
• Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning as part of knowledge building, management, and transfer;
• Promote cross-theme teamwork and skills development for the project team members through coaching and mentoring; and,
• Participate in knowledge networks and other forums to draw on best practices and lessons learned in other similar contexts.

Governance;

• Within the set of projects in the portfolio ensure that all compliance points for both donors and the MRC/UKRI are implemented. These cuts across projects both during and after the projects are closed;
• Work with the project leads to ensure that all regulatory compliance are met as well as compliance with donor terms and conditions;
• Cooperates with Unit’s research governance to ensure compliance to all Clinical Trial regulations;
• Be responsible for overseeing the safe-keeping of Unit and project resources ensuring they are kept safe, secure, and not misused; and,
• Ensure approval for financial transactions is done in compliance to Unit and funder conditions.

Financial management;

• Perform accurate accounting of grants, monthly account status reports, reconciliation, and reporting;
• Assist with the reallocation of funds and transfer of expenses(recharges) as necessary;
• Assist with the review of monthly expenditures and reports from Finance to project and principal investigators;
• Where required, ensure that project audits are carried out and audit reports submitted to all parties relevant;
• Review quarterly reports and budgets for shared resources;
• Ensure that reporting deadlines and assignments are met promptly;
• Prepare, maintain, and consolidate financial reports for the theme every quarter;
• Reconcile study-related invoices under the Theme;
• the Unit and for preparation of required reports;
• Facilitate transparent financial management of the program that can stand up to regular audits and evaluations;
• Approve requisitions orders and payment requests in relevant systems and ensure monthly delivery of program outputs; and,
• Coordinate the preparation of work plans, and produce timely reports – financial and progress reports as required by donor reporting systems.

Collaboration liaison;

• Maintain a master reporting schedule for projects within the theme;
• Lead the production of Theme performance reports. Report will be analysed and discussed with the Theme Leaders to ensure that appropriate action is taken to remedy issues, and where necessary, issues are appropriately escalated;
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of financial and technical reports to funders;
• Ensure that all reporting obligations are met; and,
• Ensure that the project is closed according to the Units and funder project closure procedure.

Line management;

• Line manage project managers, and Grants Officers; and,
• Support the Head of the theme with the Management of a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, field, and laboratory staff providing support and guidance.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field or first degree with significant experience in research or project management;
• Prince2 Practitioner certificate is desirable;
• Must have proven experience in managing research projects and teams;
• Should possess excellent financial management skills;
• Advance resource management skills;
• Able to build strong relationships with implementing partners and stakeholders focused on strengthening strategic alliances and reporting project progress;
• Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development;
• Must be familiar with the research environment and managing post-award research activities;
• Must have an excellent understanding of budgeting and preparing forecasts for research projects;
• Advanced knowledge of operations management and operational requirements of research projects;
• Excellent program coordination, project management, and time management skills;
• Must be result-driven and service-oriented; and,
• Excellent communication skills – both written and oral, coaching and facilitation skills.

 

How to Apply
Follow the link below to fill a form and submit your application documentation:

 

 Click  Here

 

Filling the form more than once will lead to automatic disqualification. High level of integrity while filling the form is required and will be considered during shortlisting.

 

All candidates should combine all their application documentation i.e. cover letter, CV & certified copies of academic documents into one PDF document. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. This position is open to Ugandan nationals only. Strictly follow the application procedure

 

as failure to do so will lead to automatic disqualification. Only online applications through the link provided will be accepted. You will receive a notification in your email if your application and documentation have been successfully received.

 

 N.B:  You will be required to present certified copies of your academic documentation before employment.

 

The applications should be addressed to:

 

The Head of Human Resources,

MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, P.O. Box, 49, Entebbe, Uganda.

 

Consider your application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to automatic disqualification. By submitting your personal information, you consent to the MRC/ UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit holding and using it in accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. The Unit reserves the right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to authenticate their validity.

 

NB: MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit strives for inclusion and diversity and therefore considers all job applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, and disability. We highly encourage persons with disabilities to apply and compete for different job openings at the Unit. The Unit is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse work force and does not ask for money at any stage of recruitment.

 

Deadline: 6th December 2024

 

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