PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The OR coordinator will work as part of the MSF Southern Africa Medical Unit (SAMU). They will coordinate and support research activities of MSF’s medical programmes primarily within the Southern Africa region. This is a one year, full-time post with the option to renew. The post is based in Cape Town, South Africa, with frequent travel to field programmes.
ABOUT MSF
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or to people that are excluded from access to health care. The organisation has health projects in more than 68 countries.
ABOUT SAMU
The Southern Africa Medical Unit (SAMU) of MSF Southern Africa and Operational Centre Brussels (MSF-OCB) was established in 2006, and provides support to projects with tuberculosis (TB) and HIV activities across Africa and beyond. This includes activities related to diagnosis and management of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB).
MSF Southern Africa is currently recruiting an OR Coordinator/Medical Epidemiologist to be based in Cape Town, South Africa as part of the SAMU team.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
OR coordination (50%)
Overall coordination of research activities across HIV/TB missions
Maintain framework of activities in table
Ensure sharing of plans and outputs
Ensure coherence with advocacy objectives and strategies together with AAU/CAME/advocacy focal points in SAMU
Support increased OR capacity together with M&E activity manager and others in SAMU
Identify gaps in HR at different levels
Support training and mentorship plans
Identify internal and external support for field OR where relevant
Develop and maintain network of relevant academic and scientific partners
Operational research support (50%)
Support field teams in the development of operational research questions and approaches and with aspect of research implementation including
Literature reviews
Development, writing and ethical approval of research protocols
Organizing and implementing/overseeing studies in the field
Cleaning, organising and analysing data
Writing study reports
Communicating results via scientific conference presentations and published articles
Other issues
Provide ad hoc support in areas of expertise where needed including
Support evaluations of MSF projects through data review and write up
Carry out short-term (1 – 4 weeks) field epidemiology missions in the field (surveys, outbreak investigations, rapid health assessment during emergency situations etc.).
Brief and support EPI candidates arriving in the region. They will spend a few days in SAMU for briefing on tools/vision/communication lines/support functions
PROFILE OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Essential:
University degree in public health epidemiology (MPH, MSc, or equivalent)
At least 2 years practical experience in epidemiology, with a focus on health problems of the developing world
Demonstrated experience in designing or implementing at least one of the following studies: randomised trials, observational cohort, sample survey, prospective surveillance, outbreak investigation, quantitative impact evaluation
Proficiency in basic statistical techniques, including sample size calculation, survey data analysis, diagnostic test evaluation, and regression
Good knowledge of common statistical software (STATA, SPSS or univalent)
Good communication skills
Fluent in English and working knowledge of another language (particularly French or Portuguese)
Demonstrated ability in technical writing (reports or peer-reviewed publications)
Willingness to travel up to 3 – 4 months a year
Demonstrable commitment to humanitarian issues
Preferred:
Substantial experience of working in sub-Saharan Africa (>2 years)
Proven experience in field research (as study co-ordinator or principal investigator)
Specific training/experience in at least one of the following field epidemiology techniques: field surveys, prospective surveillance, outbreak investigation
Proficiency in advanced statistical techniques, including multivariate analysis of cohorts, survival data, and case-control studies; and design of complex surveys
Track record of peer-reviewed publication (at least one accepted article as a first author)
Track record in HIV/AIDS research
Knowledge of French or Portuguese
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter HERE by 10 June 2016. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted