Reporting relationships:
The position reports directly to the Director of Laboratory Program-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. The Manager will have close working relationships with Executive Director, Human Immunology Laboratory, Associate Director Program Management, African Regional Director, Medical Affairs Director, and ADVANCE Program Coordinator.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
General
You will be responsible for scientific management and coordination of the VISTA (Vaccine Immunology Science and Technology for Africa) Program, and to ensure that key goals of the program are met; this includes coordinating the training and mentorship of young African researchers, working with Principal Investigators at partner institutions to fully implement program objectives, coordinate technological transfers and VISTA’s initiatives to equip laboratories in order to achieve sustained laboratory capacity regionally for innovative HIV vaccine research and development.
As an expert in immunology or virology research, you will provide input into the scientific direction of VISTA with the goal of increasing the overall contribution of African scientists in HIV vaccine discovery and design. Developing training opportunities, fostering collaborations and partnerships to deliver of these goals will be a key component of the position.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Liaison
Maintain effective liaison with the other project managers at IAVI and with the VISTA team at the Human Immunology Laboratory Imperial College London to contribute to the overall success of the VISTA project.
Research Management and Administration
Participate in the management, coordination and monitoring of the progress of VISTA immunology and virology projects, to ensure potential risks are mitigated, and program objectives and milestones are achieved against set goals.
Play a key role in the delivery of the VISTA research activities in Africa by providing support to the VISTA PhD students and post docs and investigators. This includes coordinating virtual lab meetings and networking opportunities.
Coordinate training workshops and conferences, and perform regular review of activities and accomplishments against set program goals.
Contribute to developing program strategic objectives, annual work plans and budgets.
Work to ensure that VISTA activities are well integrated with other IAVI initiatives on research capacity building in Africa e.g. International Training Program.
Collate information for the preparation of updates on the progress of the projects in a variety of formats, e.g. letters, briefing, progress reports to donors and investigators.
Contribute to maintain projects records and documentation.
Committee servicing and travel
To assist in drafting agendas, distributing papers and taking minutes of the regular Committee meetings, workshops, checking that action points for others have been completed as well as completing those for self and the Principal Investigator where appropriate.
Other
Undertaking any other reasonable duties as may be determined by the post-holder’s line manager.
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
The post holder is expected to observe and comply with all IAVI policies, procedures and regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.
IAVI is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in our Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
Required qualifications and experience
Qualifications:
Essential
A Ph.D. in Immunology or Virology or equivalent
At least five years’ work experience in a relevant role gained from a medical/academic/research environment
Experience:
Essential
Proven success in conducting research in immunology or virology
Experience in managing multi-center-based research or academic programs and projects
Experience of managing teams especially within a highly matrixed setting
Proven success in servicing committees, project teams and working groups
Experience of managing budgets
Previous work in a multicultural environment
Desirable
Previous work experience in the field of Global Health and/or HIV Research
Skills:
Essential
Proven ability to work towards a goal or objective in the face of resistance
Ability to relate appropriately to others
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships at all levels
Ability to exercise initiative
Ability to work without close supervision
Solid reasoning and analytical skills
Excellent organisational skills with an ability to multi-task and prioritise
Ability to work under pressure, with minimal supervision and meet deadlines
Good written and oral communication skills
Clear, concise report writing skills
Computer literacy, with advanced Microsoft Office skills
