Job Description

Cochrane South Africa

(CAPE TOWN, PRETORIA, DURBAN)

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) strives to improve the nation's health and quality of life by funding and conducting relevant and leading health research. It further aims to promote equity, career development and progression. The organisation prides itself on six values: pioneering, partnering, excellence, respect, integrity, and citizenship.

Individuals are invited to submit applications in response to the following position:

UNIT DIRECTOR

Duration: 5 year contract

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) strives to improve the nation's health and quality of life through promoting and conducting relevant and responsive health research.

Cochrane South Africa (CSA) is an intramural unit at the SAMRC. Its mission is to prepare and maintain Cochrane reviews of the effects of health care interventions, and to promote access to, and the use of best evidence in healthcare decision-making within South Africa and the region. The post holder will assist with and form an integral part of the SAMRC's transformation agenda.

The Cochrane Collaboration (http://www.cochrane.org/) is a global, independent network of researchers, health professionals, patients, and others who work together to ensure that healthcare decisions are informed by the best available evidence.

The Unit Director position calls for a senior researcher with international standing, proven leadership skills and the ability to enhance and maintain a centre of excellence that facilitates the generation and dissemination of Cochrane systematic reviews, methodological research and primary research to enhance evidence-informed healthcare and policy. Applicants should possess the following knowledge, skills and experience:

• Considerable experience and understanding in the conduct of Cochrane reviews or equivalent systematic reviews and meta-analysis.
• Experience in health-related research at a senior level, with international standing
• Extensive experience in the management of projects, staff and budgets, including the development of a multi-year programme of work.
• Sound knowledge of the health system and disease burden of South Africa and the African region
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and a passionate champion of xe2x80x98evidence-based medicine/practice'.
• Extensive experience or knowledge of the working of The Cochrane Collaboration, within South Africa and/or internationally.
• Experience in training others in these methods.
• Ability to work collaboratively, and to provide leadership.
• Ability to work with people from a range of backgrounds, including healthcare and methodological specialists.
• Advance transformation by mentoring and building capacity in accordance with the SAMRC's Employment Equity Plan
• Develop, implement and monitor progress of the Transformation Strategy of the Unit.

The post requires that the jobholder have a medical degree with specialist qualifications or a doctoral degree preferably in the health sciences, with a sound knowledge of epidemiology and/ biostatistics and a minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of health research. Experience in knowledge translation would be advantageous. The post holder should have a valid driver's license and be willing to travel nationally, and internationally.

Terms & Conditions: The SAMRC retains the right not to make an appointment. In accordance with the SAMRC's Employment Equity Plan, preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from the designated groups. For this reason, we require race, gender, and disability status to be specified. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply. By submitting your application, SAMRC concludes that you are a competent person to consent and that you are giving consent to the SAMRC to process and further process all personal information contained in the application in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, Act No 4 of 2013 (as amended). The SAMRC does its best to provide the most accurate information; however, if there is anything wrong and unclear applicants are encouraged to contact the HR Recruitment Office at 021-938 0648 before the closing date.

The MRC offers a total cost-to-company remuneration package will be negotiated in accordance with qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 26 January 2024

PLEASE QUOTE THE REFERENCE NUMBER (R691A) IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT YOUR SUBMISSION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED SHOULD YOUR APPLICATION NOT BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION.

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