Summary
Date Posted: Saturday, October 28 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
• The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) is seeking a self-driven, hands-on leader and skilled project manager oversee the scientific portfolio at the Centre as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). The CSO will lead a team of highly experienced and skilled team that designs and manages a large portfolio of science and innovation programmes.
• The CSO will work in close collaboration with the Zambian Government through the Ministry of Health, other line ministries, local and international partners, and CIDRZ investigators. S/he will provide technical assistance and supervision to CIDRZ research teams in all aspects of scientific inquiry, from research question formulation to results dissemination; and inspire a culture of excellence at CIDRZ.

Role and Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategy
● Lead the development and execution of the CIDRZ’s overall research strategy and set institutional research interests and priorities, in alignment with CIDRZ’s strategic objectives and the Zambia Ministry of Health priorities.
● Actively coach others to develop and hone their technical skills, shape their career paths and implement succession strategies and tactics
● Recruit and manage a team of scientists, investigators and supporting staff to ensure that projects are completed within scope, budget, quality and time
● Develop productive, self-sustaining scientific programs
Programme Management
● Manage the scientific review process of new opportunities including evaluation and execution of all research programs and grants to ensure scientific merit (rigor), study design, feasibility, regulatory guidance, project management, timelines, and budgets are met.
● Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of scientific research operations and coordinates the administrative structures that support scientists.
● Manage and lead the team, ensuring adequate staffing levels, enhance staff training, development, performance management and daily supervision to maximize efficiency and productivity.
● Model and promote a culture of adherence to codes of ethical principles and standards of professional conduct for researchers at all levels.

Performance Management and Quality Assurance
● Develop and manage programme-wide performance monitoring for all science thematic pillars, platforms and programmes, through the use of relevant performance indicators and other reports
● Lead in the development of standards and policies on risk management across programmes and platforms – including risk identification, mitigation and reporting.
● Develop and manage programme evaluation processes and systems to ensure delivery of programmes is as per schedule, budget and to the agreed quality level
● Provide oversight and support the collection of various types of data and compiles that information as stipulated by research protocols and good practice guidelines.
● Provide support for data analysis and interpretation, recognition, and presentation of results to different audiences.

Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
● Lead the development and implementation of a strategic, goal-based development plan to attract, build, and maintain effective and mutually beneficial relationships with individuals, communities, foundations, funders and corporations capable of contributing significantly to CIDRZ.
● Convene stakeholder forums, including community groups for CIDRZ-sponsored scientific meetings, advisory groups, and roundtables to inform overall scientific strategy and advance critical research questions.
● Build networks and develop strategic partnerships with investigators, researchers, national and international academic institutions, industry stakeholders, national regulators and relevant government agencies and community networks to advance CIDRZ’s scientific agenda and programs.
● Support grant writing and business development in one or more scientific areas aligned to the Centre’s strategic and research priorities
• Review proposals from research staff and approving or rejecting them based on scientific merit and feasibility of the project
• Showcase CIDRZ’s initiatives and present a compelling case for funding to development partners and donor agencies.

Qualifications
● PhD in a clinical or research discipline, preferred training in a pure science (biomedical, biochemistry, immunology etc.)
● 10+ years of experience in industry, academia, and or non-profit research organisation preferred.
● Demonstrable track record of working as a Principal Investigator for at least 10 years.
● Demonstrable track record in research, grant writing and reviewing and fundraising.
● Proven record of leading independently funded programmes, strategic research leadership, including the ability to drive innovation, collaborative and interdisciplinary research programs and partnerships with multiple stakeholders for at least 4-5 years.
● Proven experience in successfully developing, leading, and supervising complex initiatives and high performing teams.
● Demonstrable publication track record in one or more areas of expertise, including as first and senior author on peer-reviewed manuscripts in well recognized and respected journals.
● Experience in proposal development, financial administration and management of diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
● Proof of continuing education, career training and membership in professional organizations to maintain knowledge in scientific fields is an added advantage.
● Able and willing to travel regionally and internationally for approximately 25% of the working year.
● Must be willing to relocate to Lusaka, Zambia.

Behavioral Competences
● Organizational integrity:gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, authenticity, and acceptance of responsibility.
● Communication:Conveys information and ideas clearly and concisely to individuals or groups in an engaging manner that helps them understand and retain the message. Listens actively to others.
● Action oriented:proactively confronts and resolves difficult issues, makes courageous decisions, and takes bold action in the face of indecisiveness, or fear.
● Talent management: attracts, develops and retains talent to ensure that people with the right skills and motivations are in the right place at the right time to meet CIDRZ’s needs.
● Coaching and mentoring:attracts, develops and trains talent with right skills to further CIDRZ talent needs for programme development and execution; acts as a role model by continuously living the CIDRZ values.
● Achievement orientation: builds a culture that leads to greater excellence and continuous improvement; aligns systems, processes, policies and roles to create a performance-oriented culture.
● Continuous improvement:plays a leadership role in implementing improvements in research, processes, programmes and innovation.
● Innovative thinking: fosters a culture and develops approaches that generate innovative outputs.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 120

Level of Education: Associate Degree

Job application procedure
• Application Deadline: Tuesday October 31, 2023
• Application submission: recruitment@F4Pafrica.com 

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