Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a State Corporation established through the Science and Technology (Amendment) Act of 1979, which has since been amended to Science, Technology and Innovation Act 2013. The 1979 Act established KEMRI as a National body responsible for carrying out health research in Kenya.

Job Summary:

The officer will be responsible for overseeing all stages of the development and implementation of research in western Kenya, including sustained stakeholder engagement with national and sub-national MOH partners, conduct formative and pilot research phases, and trial implementation. S/he will chair in-country management meetings and be responsible for the preparation of standard operating procedures, protocol writing, manage submission of protocol amendments to SERU, coordinate fieldwork, and oversee centralised functions of the study.

Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the officer will entail: –

•  Implementing pre-clinical and clinical research projects and/or supervise designated aspects of the work;
•  General diagnosis, care, treatment and provision of specialized clinical care for study participants;
•  Assist in carrying out fieldwork and pre-clinical and clinical experimental procedures;
•  Carry out experimental and/or developmental work;
•  Contributing to interpretation and validation of results;
•  Conduct community diagnosis, care and treatment during Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities;
•  Assist in organization of the internal scientific seminars;
•  Maintaining the scientific pre-clinical and clinical facility
•  Lead the development of a study monitoring plan;
•  Lead stakeholder engagement activities at relevant stages of the project;
•  Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all data collection and processing as well as for the management and deployment of study drugs;
•  Manage field-based teams to ensure timely data collection, data quality control (quantitative data) and data processing (transcription and translation of audio files) according to SOPs;
•  Work with data managers and Co-investigators to code and analyse data and lead in writing reports, publications, and manuscripts in close collaboration with the Consortium PI based in Liverpool. To present study updates at meetings as necessary;
•  Oversight of procurement and inventory of all study drugs, supplies and equipment;
•  Implement capacity-building efforts to increase and expand the skills of local counterparts and field team technicians;
•  Plan and coordinate meetings for both internal project staff and external collaborators/visitors;
•  Host/participate in scheduled conference calls with the international study partners;
•  Conduct performance appraisal of study site staff in liaison with the relevant technical supervisors of the staff members in Kenya.

Person Specifications

 For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have: –

•  Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following fields; – Medicine and surgery, Dentistry from a recognized Institution;
•  Be registered by Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board
•  Proficiency in computer application;
•  Fulfil the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution

 Key Skills and Competencies

•  Planning and Organizational skills;
•  Communication and reporting skills;
•  Interpersonal skills;
•  Creativity and Innovativeness;
•  Critical thinking skills
•  Team player.

Terms of employment: This is a three (3) year contract, renewable subject to availability of funds, with a probation period for the first 3 months. Salary is negotiable within the KEMRI scheme of service depending on education, experience and demonstrated competency.