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Position Title: Project Manager — MRC/UVRI Ugandan
Medical Informatics Centre,Uganda Jobs,
Organisation: MRC/UVRI Uganda,Jobs Vacancy in Uganda,
Centre Division/Section: IT/ Bioinformatics
Reports to: Unit Director Project (if any):
Bioinformatics Grade: 38 points Band A Contract end-date:
Brief Company Profile:
The MRC/UVRI Uganda Virus Research Unit on AIDS conducts large-scale
epidemiological and
intervention studies, clinical trials, virological and
immunological research and behavioural studies, and has generated a wealth of
research results that have been used to inform policy and practice, and that
have led to a large number of scientific publications in peer reviewed
journals over time. The Unit is a center of excellence in HIV/AIDS related
research.
The MRC/UVRI with the Sanger Institute is setting up the MRC/UVRI Ugandan
Medical Informatics Centre (UMIC) that will be located at the UVRI campus in
Entebbe. It will be closely associated with the Ugandan Ministry of Health and
other educational and research
Institutes in Uganda, as well as pan-African research centres as part of
established collaborations with MRC/UVRI.
The central aims of this project are:
(1) to develop a medical informatics in Uganda and
(2) to develop human research capacity in medical informatics and
computational genomics in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in collaboration with UK and
SSA centres. The UMIC is being developed to capitalise on technological
advances in genomics and to ensure the efficient utilisation of data resources
in clinical epidemiology and large scale genomics across SSA from on-going
research programmes.
Overall Purpose:
The post holder will be responsible for the planning, execution and
management of the set-up phase for a major new initiative within the MRC/UVRI
unit – the MRC/UVRI Ugandan Medical Informatics Centre (UMIC).
The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of this
project and specifically for:
• Planning and coordinating the physical construction of the UMIC
• Planning and coordinating appropriate procurement and installation of
computational resources
• Coordinating the training of UMIC staff
• Planning for the sustainability of the UMIC
• Integrating the UMIC’s governance structures with those of the APCDR
• Ensuring the project is delivered before a strict deadline
The project manager will be accountable for the project management,
performance and delivery of the associated infrastructure, technology platforms
and for the management of budgets and meeting the project’s objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
The post holder will be responsible for accomplishing the following:
1. Project Management – to lead and manage the set up phase of the Project.
·
Ensure that local plans meet the
overall requirement of the project and are responsive to changing scientific
requirements.
·
Liaise with and coordinate
contractors to ensure the timely delivery of the project.
·
Define appropriate resources
(people and money) to ensure successful implementation of the project. Manage
budget(s) liaising with funding partners as required.
·
Develop, review and coordinate
internal organisation and work arrangements to support and ensure the delivery
of the project.
·
Support the local IT systems and
technical staff in the delivery of the project, reviewing and revising work
projects where necessary to ensure successful outcomes.
·
Production of written reports and
presentation to a variety of audiences across the project.
·
Drive the agenda and organize the
business of the UMIC Steering Committee and its sub-committees (Capacity
Building & Research Training and Infrastructure Development) ensuring
issues are discussed and decisions taken in a timely manner.
·
Carry-out and implement decisions
made by and directions from the UMIC Steering Committee and its sub-committees.
·
Developing and maintaining
awareness of external initiatives, considering their potential impact on the
set up of the project and co-ordinating with external projects and funding
partners
·
Establish and manage
relationships with relevant contractors and stakeholders. Provide a point of
contact for questions and feedback regarding the project and operations.
·
Maintain strong working
relationship with the MRC/UVRI and MRC central administration on behalf of the
project. Provide high-level administrative support to the project
2. Communication – to lead and manage:
·
A network of stakeholders
[internal and external] associated with the Programme; this will include using
advanced communication and negotiating skills together with regular use of
presentation skills including the use of PowerPoint and Audio visual aid e.g.
Video conferencing equipment.
·
The active involvement and
engagement of sponsors, key stakeholders and pan public sector agencies. Ensure
collaborative working and the use of appropriate management of change processes
to overcome resistance to change and ensure successful outcomes.
·
Establish appropriate working
links with senior stakeholders and manage the communication/administrative
officers.
·
Negotiation with and persuade
individual and groups. This will require the communication and provision of
highly complex, potentially contentious information, for example requirements
for infrastructure reconfiguration, across organisations to groups who can
challenge the process of change and where there may be barriers to acceptance.
·
Communicate and negotiate with
audiences who may be challenging and occasionally hostile.
·
Ensure that processes exist for
effective communication with staff, irrespective of working pattern, that staff
involvement in decision making is positively encouraged and that staff are
fully engaged in changes affecting them.
·
The Project Manager will be
required to work alongside the IT systems lead and Programme stakeholders in
order to plan, execute and monitor the implementation of the project.
3. To lead and manage change within short times frame to ensure:
·
Provide strategic direction and
leadership during the set up phase of the project, ensuring key deliverables
and learning
·
The development and
implementation of an appropriate project management approach.
·
Make judgements involving a
number of exceptionally complicated situations where pre-determined solutions
are not necessarily available, these judgements will impact across project.
·
Identify, develop and implement
appropriate education, training and development programmes to support implementation
and integration of the project to sustain long term success.
·
Maintain an understanding of best
practice nationally and internationally to support the strategic development of
the project. Ensure that this is shared as appropriate.
4. Management of resources – manage all resources associated with the
Programme (human, physical and financial)
·
Scope and define technical staff
requirements and oversee recruitment and training of new staff.
·
Contribute to the definition of
requirements for new staff positions and drive the process forwards.
·
Define appropriate work
structures and processes
·
Oversee laboratory refurbishment
project to containment level liaising as required with FM Buildings Project
Managers.
·
Co-ordinate equipment
specification, purchase, installation and testing
·
Ensure appropriate arrangements
are in place for managing regulatory issues
·
Define and manage budgets for
science and infrastructure components of the project
Financial Responsibilities:
DFA to be agreed
People Management Responsibilities:
Works closely with the Head of IT and the IT staff but also closely with
the different Scientists and Heads of Programme.
He will be supervising the bio informatician and a team of (TBA)
Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements:
The job holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due
regard to the MRC’s:
·
Code of conduct
·
Equality & Diversity Policy
·
Health & Safety Policy
·
Information technology policy and
Data Protection Act
Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual
appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between postholder and line
manager
The above lists are not exhaustive and the job holder is required to
undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the
post. All staff are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly
in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.
Person Specification:
Education / Qualifications / Training required:
(E) Bachelor’s Degree in a
relevant subject
(E) Master’s degree in a relevant
subject
(E) Background in the Life
Sciences coupled with the ability to quickly assimilate relevant scientific and
technical details
(D) Programme/Project Management
qualification, e.g. PPM, MSP, Prince
Skills & Abilities
(E) Ability to communicate highly
complex technical concepts and analysis effectively to different organisations
and audiences; including formal presentations e.g. Board Level
(E) Demonstrate an ability to
provide, receive and record both routine and highly complex communications,
electronically, orally and written
(E) Ability to overcome barriers
associated with conveying complex technical information to a non-technical
audience
(E) Ability to organise, plan and
prioritise a diverse range of complex strategic projects to meet statutory and
other deadlines typically involving other disciplines/organisations
(E) Ability to work closely with
a variety of stake holders and commercial suppliers form professional working
relationships.
(E) Demonstrate an ability to
analyse and compare complex logistical and strategic issues, and to act as an
expert reference point.
(E) Ability to develop and
maintain effective working relationships with team members and other staff
(E) Can demonstrate initiative,
creativity, flexibility and a personal ethos of continuous improvement and
problem solving
(E) Show an ability to gain and
understand of other professionals ‘problem solving’requirements
(E) Ability to focus, concentrate
and accurately complete tasks within given timeframes while dealing with
unscheduled interruptions e.g. changing priorities
(D) Ability to manage
implementation of the projects and implementation across organisations
(E) Ability to translate strategy
into action
(D) Demonstrate additional
specialist knowledge and expertise e.g. advanced presentation and facilitation
skill, and a management qualification e.g. Cert. in Management
(E) Arrange meetings with
appropriate attendees and direct the organisation of travel arrangements
(E) Ability to keep the project
on track; reassess priorities appropriately and alter deadlines and work as
appropriate
Previous work experience required:
(E) Significant breadth of
experience at senior managerial level evidenced by a broad portfolio of work
across public or private sector, together with experience of staff management
at a senior level
(E) Proven track record of
leading and implementing significant projects that involve a wide variety of
international stake-holders
(E) Experience of managing
significant budgets
(E) Experience of working with
commercial suppliers and external agencies
(E) Experience of successfully
leading and implementing project driven change management.
Personal Attributes
(E) Ability to meet the frequent
travel needs of the post. (The post-holder will be required to travel as
required, mainly to the UK and to other locations within Uganda)
(E) Flexible to meet the needs of
the project
(E) Excellent communication
skills across highly complex structures that include spanning academic,
professional and managerial disciplines
Competencies:
Core:
·
Personal Integrity
·
Emotional Resourcefulness
·
Ability to Learn
·
Forward Thinking
·
Reliability
·
Openness to Others
Job Specific (delete as appropriate):
·
Independence
·
Analytical Thinking
·
Proactivity
·
Results Orientation
·
Thoroughness
·
Concern for Excellence
·
Flexibility Towards Others
·
Service Orientation
·
Development Orientation
Additional information:
The most complex aspect of this role is that the post holder will be
responsible for the management, coordination and implementation of a large and
complex international project with a strict deadline while simultaneously
incorporating the requirements of leading scientists.
The post holder will also be required to effectively and tactfully solve
unforeseen problems of varying complexity and scale as they arise.
Mode of Application:
Applications including copies of academic qualifications, curriculum vitae
and names plus
telephone contact details of three (3) referees should either be addressed
to:
The Human Resources Manager
MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS
P. 0. Box 49, Entebbe.
Or to:
Email: recruitment@mrcuganda.org
Closing date for applications: 05:00pm, 23rd May 2014.
