Job Description

• The incumbents' main functions will include VIDA data department overall leadership, strategic management, technical data management, analytic input, compliance, and staff management
• The incumbent will also oversee all data platforms and databases, data collection, storage, quality, and linkages, and provide overall leadership of data management requirements across studies

Location:

• Wits VIDA, Nurses Residence, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto - Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

Research data leadership

• Setting and advancing data management strategies in line with the organizational strategic plan and direction
• Provide overall leadership, and management of the data department and staffing including efficient resource delegation and mobilisation across studies, departments, and internal projects
• Develop and sustain appropriate data management structures for the unit and communicate with all VIDA departments and relevant line managers
• Assist in institutionalizing data literacy and ensuring a data-driven culture across departments
• Supporting relevant cross-functional and business-related analyses as required
• Oversee maintenance of all databases, datasets, data sharing activity, and related administrative oversight of unit data application
• Support and drive the development of internal or administrative databases and data management
• Identify, curate, and establish strategic data and data management/analysis collaborations and projects

Technical Data Management and analytic input

• Provide strategic and technical input into research tools and database design
• Oversee development and implementation of databases and data management plans across research streams and facilitate technical resource planning
• Liaise with external and internal stakeholders to facilitate data sharing in accordance with data sharing SOPs and contracts or collaboration requirements
• Provide data management technical support to data managers
• Oversee timeous data cleaning and analyses and generation of results tables for senior scientists and principal investigators/study leads as required
• Assist with monitoring of field data collection process
• Liaise with IT to ensure IT processes align with data requirements and modern data infrastructure
• Drive business-level data infrastructure, storage, and management projects

Compliance

• Oversee development, implementation, review, and inter-operability of all data-related SOPs
• Advise and lead as required on IT-related data storage and integrity/risk management
• Advise on data sharing, ethics, and other data-related compliance requirements
• Advise on SOPs and data management/linkage/analysis policies relating to studies
• Ensure compliance with all WHC, unit, and relevant external data and related policies
• Provide input into the development of data quality assurance procedures in accordance with ethical and GCP requirements and SOPs

Stakeholder relations and communications

• Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations and communicate appropriately with initiative and solutions
• Build and maintain a high standard of professional, authentic internal and external stakeholder relationships (internal relations at all levels of the organization, and external relations with relevant public, private, and third sector stakeholders as well as academic collaborators and media where applicable)
• Ensure compliance and drive risk management
• Demonstrate integrated and effective problem-solving and apply discretion and diplomacy as required
• Support and/or drive programmatic interactions with sponsors as applicable
• Support program-specific communications and participate in organizational communications, driving organizational values

Staff management

• Lead cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams to promote productivity within projects; effectively supervise and manage staff duties and targets and maintain sound labor relations
• Effectively plan and mobilize resources to support all research requirements
• Coordinate and conduct training on the requirements for specific studies/program components and ensure robust regular review and ongoing development of team capabilities
• Work with management to empower and develop teams or individuals as skills needs or deficiencies are identified
• Foster an environment that promotes talent recognition, development as well as agency and individual leadership; promote harmony, teamwork, and sharing of information
• Mentor, coach and facilitate personal and professional staff development wherever possible
• Ensure staff comply with policies, unit standards, and administrative and internal communications requirements; promote company policies, strategies, and values always.
• Manage staff effectively including performance, conduct, efficient working, processes, and corrective action as required
• Demonstrate effective delegation and decision-making
• Capacity development:

• Develop supervisory skills and leadership talent within the team
• Contribute towards the development of team/company knowledge by identifying relevant training needs and topics
• Assist in facilitating relevant training material and presentations and (for example: data software and techniques such as REDCap, R, Python, SQL)
• Proactively contribute to internal knowledge sharing on areas of expertise (across functions)
• Oversee and drive ad hoc research training interventions i.e., Journal Clubs, Writing Series, Research Methodology Course
• Participate actively in research leadership groups and fora
• Provide coaching and mentoring internally as required

Effective self-management and performance ownership

• Apply knowledge of the organizational systems, structures, policies, and procedures to achieve results
• Take ownership and accountability for responsibility areas, demonstrate effective self-management, demonstrate team and individual leadership and collaboration to support everyone's combined and individual objectives
• Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of own work are consistently and accurately maintained
• Take ownership of driving own career development (for example by participating in ongoing training and development activities such as forums, conferences, policy setting workshops, etc., and developing a relevant network, driving individual development plan goals)
• Support and drive the business' core values; maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback

Required minimum education and training:

• At least a Master's Degree in Data Management, Health Informatics, Epidemiology, Statistics, or any other Data Analytics or other highly quantitative and computational discipline
• A Doctoral qualification will be advantageous

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum 5 years experience in Data Management, Data Analysis, and Data Strategy involving multi-disciplinary studies
• A good understanding of data technologies, tools, and methodologies including proficiency in data warehousing, data modeling, data integration, data governance, data analytics, and data visualization
• Effective communication is essential for collaborating with other departments, local and international institutions, funders, and stakeholders
• Knowledge of data governance principles and experience in implementing data governance frameworks such as data quality, security, compliance, and confidentiality
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for identifying opportunities for data-driven improvements and optimizations
• Demonstrated experience in leading dynamic, multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience in managing data-related projects including skills in project planning, resource allocation, and risk management
• Team building and developing a high-performing data team through hiring, mentoring, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation
• The ability to develop and execute a long-term data strategy that aligns with the organization's goals
• Knowledge of data-related regulations and compliance requirements such as the POPIA Act
• Demonstrated knowledge and track record of statistics, and proficiency using a statistical software package such as Python or R for import, export, manipulation, and analysis of large datasets

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:

• Team player able to work in a high-performing collaborative environment, and support scientific investigations across disciplines
• Ability to set priorities and work under pressure on a variety of tasks concurrently
• Demography and population statistics knowledge/experience/application an advantage

TO APPLY:

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
• Please Apply Online.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 26 September 2023.
• Note AJ Personnel is fully POPI compliant.
• Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.

Please note:

• AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.

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Company Description

The Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics (VIDA) Research Unit of the University of the Witwatersrand, formerly RMPRU (Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit) has for over 20 years conducted numerous studies to assess the burden of and to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD).

AJ Personnel