Deputy Trial Manager-Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU) based at the National Institute for Medical Research campus in Mwanza, Tanzania is a collaborative research unit of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the National Institute for Medical Research. The mission of the Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit is to contribute to improving health through the development and evaluation of interventions against HIV and other health problems by conducting research, including clinical trials, to the highest international standards; to enhance the capacity to carry out such research in Tanzania and the East African region; and to contribute to the translation of research findings into health policy. MITU is currently collaborating with other international research partners and the World Health Organization to prepare and implement a one-year multicentre clinical trial to test the safety and immunogenicity of a promising vaccine candidate to prevent viral haemorrhagic fever. The study is being conducted in healthy volunteers. The Unit is now inviting applications from motivated and suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position:

Deputy Trial Manager

The successful applicant will be a fully-registered medical practitioner, and will ideally have a post graduate qualification in epidemiology or a related field; proven technical expertise in the quality management of clinical trials related to infectious diseases and/or vaccines; experience in clinical/laboratory procedures in research and collaborative research involving human clinical, epidemiological or laboratory outcomes; proven skills and experience in multicentre research.

Specific Responsibilities

Assist the Trial Manager with the day-to-day management of the clinical trial in the Mwanza

·         Assisting the Trial Manager with the day-to-day management of the clinical trial in Mwanza, Tanzania.

·         Assisting the Trial Manager in dealing with clinical results and queries, reviewing case report forms, and other relevant study documentation and maintaining Study Master Files.

·         Assisting with communication between MITU/NIMR, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), the trial sponsor and the other trial partners.

·         Coordinating, training and supervising field team staff in MITU/NIMR (and other sites as required) in order to ensure that the trial is conducted to GCP and international trial standards.

·         Participating in meetings and discussions to discuss research progress, findings and any other aspects of the study.

·         Participating in writing up of the trial findings in reports and publications.

·         Assisting with preparation of reports for the trial governance bodies (e.g. Clinical Steering Committee, Steering Committee, Data and Safety Monitoring Board) and the funding agency.

·         Travel to progress and coordination meetings as required, including meetings in East Africa or Europe.

·         Undertaking other duties as may be required by the Principal Investigator of the trial and the Trial Manager.

Essential Qualifications

·         Candidates must be fully-registered medical practitioners, with a medical degree from a recognised university

·         At least one year’s relevant experience working as on clinical trials, or as a research coordinator, based in sub-Saharan Africa.

·         Clinically active within the past 3 years.

·         Evidence of having practical experience in the management of research teams.

·         Evidence of having practical experience of assisting with leading or coordinating of GCP compliant studies including familiarity of study monitoring visits.

·         Evidence of having worked effectively both independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary scientific team.

·         Excellent inter-personal skills and a willingness to work with others to overcome problems as and when they arise.

·         Evidence of having worked effectively in a multicultural environment.

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

·         Ability to relocate to Mwanza to start work for MITU as soon as possible and no later than August 2015.

Desirable Qualifications

·         At least one year of experience working in on early phase clinical trials

·         Experience of working on vaccine-related research studies.

·         Experience of working in sub-Saharan Africa, and ideally in East Africa.

·         A postgraduate qualification in epidemiology or public health or equivalent experience demonstrated through publications.

Mode of application:

• Letter of application with details of how you meet EACH of the above criteria and suitability for the post. 
• A daytime mobile telephone number and e-mail contact details.
• Curriculum vitae (CV) including names and addresses of three referees (two must be from your most recent employers).
• Copies of all relevant certificates and memberships and qualifications.

Closing date for applications

• Applications received later than Friday 24^th July 2015 will not be considered
• Interviews will be held at the earliest available opportunity and you will be notified by email if you are selected for interview.

All documents to be sent by email to recruitment@mitu.or.tz

A competitive remuneration package will be offered.