Job Description

Job Summary Division: Wits Planetary Health Research
Main purpose of the job:

• To provide strategic planning, oversight, and portfolio management to support the NIH HEAT Center and Wellcome Trust-funded climate and health projects within the Wits Planetary Health Research Division
• Responsibilities include grants and contract management, HR planning, and infrastructure support
• The role contributes to the Division's mission of advancing research on climate change and public health

Location:

• Parktown, Johannesburg

Key performance areas:
Grant Compliance, Reporting and Administration:

• Develop the strategic vision and expansion of Wits PHR, including overseeing the development of policies and procedures, and ensuring their implementation
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, including effective contract management and administration of sub-recipients and contractor agreements across grants by maintaining an up-to-date database of sub awards, contracts and other project agreements with defined scope, programmatic and financial requirements/reporting schedules
• Ensure compliance with quarterly, annual and ad hoc donor reporting requirements in coordination with technical and WHC teams
• Support the development and review of project costing and other strategic programme documents to support effective implementation of the project
• Support compliance with legislation and Wits Health Consortium (WHC) policies for Climate Change and Health projects in collaboration with WHC Grants and Compliance teams

Financial Management and Reporting:

• Ensure the financial health of the unit by monitoring existing funding sources and supporting the development of new grant proposals
• Conduct long range financial planning to ensure sustainability over grant cycles
• Work with project staff and finance in developing project budgets and ensure resources are utilized efficiently and within budget constraints
• Work with Grants Manager to monitor expenditure and burn rate (conducting financial analysis, risk assessment and forecasting)
• Identify areas of over or underspend and assist with corrective action planning to ensure financial integrity of the project
• Ensure timeous submission and review of financial reports, through Grants to donor management
• Ensure compliance with donor financial reporting requirements in the preparation of periodic and ad hoc reports
• Ensure compliance in procurement processes by providing P2P support and oversight, updating
• delegation and ensuring overall alignment with donor requirements
• Engage with Grants management and HR teams and build systems to ensure accurate, routine, regular and timely inputs linked to budget and expenditure reporting

Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with senior management from WHC Legal department, Human Resources and Grants Management in work planning and resource allocation to effectively support Climate Change and Health projects
• Develop and effectively manage relationships with external and internal stakeholders, including donors, partners and relevant Wits PRP and WHC structures, to enhance strategic and operational alignment
• Coordinate programme activities with external agencies such as NGO partners, regulatory bodies, donor monitoring and auditing agencies and others as necessary.
• Support strategic partnerships between the unit and key sub-national, national, regional and international agencies, including NDoH, Africa CDC, WHO, and policymakers

Required minimum education and training:

• MSc degree with Project Management and Grant Management experience, PhD ideal

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum of 7 years' experience in research management within donor-funded, public health or private health care programmes

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:

• Comprehensive financial and contract operations experience
• Senior Research Management Professional (SRMP)
• Knowledge of NIH, EU, Wellcome Trust and other donor regulations
• Track record of successful project planning and management experience
• Soundtrack record of developing and administering effective organizational policies and procedures in diverse environments
• Results-driven, with proven success in building strong, lasting relationships with managers, associates, and clients.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to speak more than one South African language is highly desirable
• Demonstrated MS Office skills including excellent MS Excel skills and familiarity with accounting packages
• Occasional travel and working outside of core hours may be required

TO APPLY:

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• 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
• Closing date: 12 August 2025
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

Please note:

• WHC, in accordance with its 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
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position

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