Job Description

Job Summary

Main purpose of the job:

• To design and implement research projects on climate change and health, analyze study findings, and publish scientific articles
• Work with multi-disciplinary research groups across Africa, in the EU, UK, and USA
• Contribute to projects funded by the Wellcome Trust, NIH, and other donors within the Climate and Health Directorate
• These projects will generate evidence to mount a response to climate change in Africa
• We document the health impacts of heat waves and extreme heat on vulnerable populations in Africa, including pregnant women, infants, HIV-infected adults, and healthcare workers, and we assess the effectiveness of interventions to reduce these impacts

Location:

• Hillbrow, Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

• Participate in discussions regarding the future direction of research strategies and plans for Wits RHI
• Obtain ethical approval from relevant regulatory bodies
• Write research protocols and SOPs for studies
• Develop and design research tools
• Conduct fieldwork/data collection (interviews, focus group discussions, etc.)
• Monitor the progress of research projects
• Write progress reports to stakeholders including networks and funders
• Stay abreast with relevant research findings and collaborate closely with other investigators on related studies
• Identify potential topics for publications that add to the body of knowledge on climate change and health using existing data
• Initiate and conduct a literature review to support the write-up of research findings
• Identify target journals that have a high impact factor
• Lead the development of a manuscript
• Coordinate inputs from contributors to the manuscript
• Conduct data analysis (with input from the statistical team) and write up the results
• Complete manuscript within agreed-upon timelines, submit for publication and respond timeously to peer reviews
• Compile conference presentations as requested
• Disseminate research findings internally and to universities and other stakeholders such as communities, CABs, and media
• Identify research funding opportunities to expand and sustain the climate and Health Directorate
• Lead or significantly contribute to grant proposals from initiation to conclusion
• Ensure the quality of the written proposal
• Coordinate inputs from other contributors
• Ensure grant proposals are compliant with submission requirements
• Support the development of budgets for the proposed grants
• Support the submission of grants on relevant grant portals within submission timelines
• Attend to all staffing requirements and administration
• Supervise and manage the duties of subordinates to ensure optimal staff utilization and maintenance of sound labor relations
• Perform and facilitate performance development and assessments
• Identify substandard performance by team members and take necessary corrective action
• Coach and train subordinates and team members to ensure the acquisition of knowledge and skills required by the organization
• Promote harmony, teamwork, and sharing of information
• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrate effective self-management
• Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of own work are consistently and accurately maintained
• Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback
• Take ownership of driving your own career development by attending training and development sessions and relevant forums/meetings
• Maintain and update expertise and knowledge of developments in the field

Required minimum education and training:

• PhD in appropriate discipline OR a Higher Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Sociology, or Anthropology

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum 5-8 years research experience
• Management of research programs with a record of research outputs evidenced by at least ten published articles in refereed journals
• Qualitative researchers, public health practitioners, or epidemiologists
• Membership of Professional/School/Faculty/Department Committees and/or taking leadership roles in the Public Health domain within the academic, public, or NGO sectors

Professional body registration:

• Relevant registration body

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:

• Experience in public health will be an advantage
• Some basic knowledge of the impact of climate change on health is desirable
• Certification in Good Clinical Practice
• Experience working in a low- or middle-income country
• Experience in writing research protocols, designing tools, and investigator-driven studies
• Ordered, systematic, and analytical in approach to research, with experience in managing and analyzing qualitative datasets
• Familiarity with data analysis software (qualitative)
• Good administrative skills, with working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Tactful, respectful and non-judgmental
• Able to work under pressure and adhere to deadlines
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Assertive, confident, and adaptable
• Able to show proof of publication records and conference presentations
• Familiarity with local SA ethics or regulatory guidelines, and experience with the ethics review process

Demands of the job:

• National and international travel and overtime/weekends may be required from time to time
• Working in rural areas or under-resourced and/or unpleasant circumstances may be experienced from time to time
• Working in a pressurized environment

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: 28 August 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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