Job Description

Main purpose of the job:

• A senior data manager within the VIDA research setting is a high-level position responsible for managing and overseeing the collection, organization, and storage of data generated from experiments, observations, or surveys
• This incumbent is responsible for ensuring the quality, security, and accessibility of data, as well as leading a team of data personnel to produce credible research data

Location:

• Wits Vaccines & Infectious Diseases Analytics (VIDA) Research Unit xe2x80x93 Soweto, Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

Technical data management and analytics

• Developing and implementing data management plans to ensure data is collected, processed, and stored in compliance with ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements
• Contribute to refining, structuring, and development of study data collection report forms
• Overseeing the collection of data from multiple sources and ensuring data quality through regular audits and assessments
• Designing and implementing database systems and protocols to store and manage data
• Ensuring data security and protecting the confidentiality of sensitive information
• Providing training and support to researchers on how to use data management tools and systems
• Collaborating with other data management professionals to develop and maintain data-sharing agreements
• Archiving and preserving data for future use and access
• Managing a team of data personnel, including providing mentorship and professional development opportunities
• Developing and implementing data analysis and reporting processes to support decision-making and drive research initiatives
• Communicating data-driven insights and recommendations to stakeholders, including researchers, funding agencies, and external partners
• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards and publish daily
• Develop a database in REDCap for VIDA students
• Automate repetitive manual processes through scripting and design models for data cleaning, validation, and reporting
• Attend study ad hoc reports requests from study leads and sponsors
• Ensure that study data backup procedures are solid and regular to prevent any potential data loss

Compliance

• Develop data management SOPs and policies relating to studies
• Ensure unit compliance with all WHC and relevant external data policies
• Maintain appropriate documentation of all research study material and consistency with SOPs
• Identify potential risks and resolve issues relating to research compliance
• Develop and implement process improvement initiatives to strengthen research study conduct and compliance, to ensure study compliance with relevant regulatory and GCP quality standards
• Ensure that data sharing process with external collaborators is in alignment with VIDA policies and that data sharing agreement is provided and observed
• Ensuring data security and protecting the confidentiality of sensitive information through well-defined processes

Staff Management and Capacity Development

• Contribute towards the development of team/company knowledge
• 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
• Manage staff effectively including performance, conduct, efficient working, processes, and corrective action as required

Customer service

• Communicate with donor representatives around compliance issues as and when required
• Ensure all customer interaction (Both internal and external customers) is of the highest professional level, E.g. Respond to emails/queries within two days
• Build and maintain authentic relationships with all stakeholders ensuring that all interactions are professional
• Effectively manage work processes to maintain high levels of productivity

Effective self-management

• Take ownership and accountability for responsibility areas, demonstrate effective self-management, and demonstrate team and individual leadership and collaboration to support everyonexe2x80x99s 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 your own career development by participating in ongoing training and development activities such as forums, conferences, policy-setting workshops, etc.
• Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations and communicate appropriately with initiative and solutions
• Support and drive the businessxe2x80x99 core values; maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback

Required minimum education and training:

• At least a Masterxe2x80x99s level qualification in Computer Science/Statistics/Biostatistics/Epidemiology/Demography and/or any Data Analytics or other highly quantitative and computational discipline
• A Doctoral qualification will be advantageous

Required minimum work experience:

• 2 years experience in data management and analysis working in a research environment

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, computer data acquisition, research data management, and report writing
• Demonstrated knowledge and track record of statistics, and proficiency using a statistical software package such as Python, STATA, or R for import, export, manipulation, and analysis of large datasets
• 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

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: 31 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.

AJ Personnel