Purpose of Assignment
The Consultant will be based in Aga Khan University, East Africa home to the Medical College, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Graduate School of Media and Communication, East Africa Institute and Institute of Human development.
The key campuses for the scope of work will be Nairobi and Dar-es-salaam. Presently there is minimal activity in sponsored research progressing in Kampala.
The Consultant will define strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the existing research management structure and make recommendations on how to make it more accountable and efficient in grants competitiveness.
He/she is, expected to deliver output that includes drafting of an organogram, policies, process maps, and job descriptions for positions necessary for successful competitive research administration within four to six months. This should be done, with the recognition that AKU is one university with multiple campuses with interlinked governance systems. Particularly important in this case is link between EA structures and Office of Sponsored Research in Karachi under Associate Research Vice Provost
Duration of assignment
6 months
Reporting to
The Associate Dean, Research, MC/SONAM – EA, Aga Khan University
Deliverables
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF GRANTS
Budget support during competitive grants application
Award contracts and sub-contracts including NDAs
Financial administration of donor grants
Closure of awards
RECRUITMENT
Hiring of research staff
Hiring of short and long term consultants
Managing contracts and separations
Labour law provisions
PROCUREMENT FOR SPONSORED RESEARCH
Purchasing of scheduled and non-scheduled items
Importation of equipment and supplies
Storage of equipment and supplies
End project disposal of equipment and supplies
LEGAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE
Award contracts and sub-contracts including NDAs
Property rights provisions
Material and data transfer
Litigation and Insurance
ICT SUPPORT
Submission for ethical approval
Institutional checklist approvals
Tracking of finances during implementation
Ordering and consumption of supplies
Closure of grants
Source documents retention as per the law
RESEARCH ETHICS
Efficiency of submission and reviews
Compliance with national laws
Monitoring compliance with terms of approvals and risk reporting
Skills & Knowledge
The Consultant, will be minimum Master’s Degree holder in Public Health, Business Administration or Public Administration with Professional certification with CRA, SRA, NCURA or HUMENTUM. Other equivalent qualifications will be considered.
He/she will have a minimum of 10 years of research administration experience and astute in organizational and change management at leadership level. Research Project management experience is essential as well as demonstrated experience with operation of medical centers.
