Epicentre is a non-profit organisation created in 1987 by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which groups health professionals specialised in public health and epidemiology. In 1996, Epicentre became a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Response to Emerging Diseases.
Epicentre carries out operational research studies, mainly within MSF movement from its headquarters in Paris, satellites in Geneva, Brussels, Barcelona, New-York and two field research bases in Uganda, and in Niger. Further, Epicentre offers its expertise to organisations requesting short-term field epidemiological studies in developing countries.
Within the scope of clinical research, Epicentre focuses on infectious diseases, particularly malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and some neglected tropical diseases.
Context
In 1995, Epicentre created a permanent research base in Uganda to support MSF projects in the region. In 1997, Epicentre conducted its first survey on shigella resistance in Mbarara. The primary role of Epicentre in Mbarara is to conduct clinical research following Good Clinical Practice (GCP) requirements, on critical public health burdens in Uganda and Africa. To reach this objective, Epicentre collaborates closely with the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). A full-time experienced research team is based at the Epicentre Mbarara Research Base (EMRB). After a period characterized by research projects mainly oriented towards clinical trials on malaria, our research activity has been recently extended to include projects on tuberculosis and infectious diseases in children.
The Mbarara research base is located in Mbarara Municipality, a town of 69,000 persons located 300 km South-West to Kampala. Mbarara District has a population of approximately 600,000 inhabitants, and is mainly rural. The main health facility is Mbarara National Referral Hospital which is also a teaching hospital for the MUST. This is the referral hospital for the Western region of Uganda with a capacity of 240 beds. The research base is structured into several departments: medical resources, laboratory, information system, administration, and logistics.
General responsibilities and position
Under the supervision of Epicentre’s Clinical Research Director, the Director of the Epicentre Mbarara Research Base will: • represent Epicentre in Uganda • manage the EMRB with the coordination team • lead the research strategy.
Principal activities
- Representation of Epicentre in Uganda
The Director is the representative of Epicentre in Uganda. He/she will in Uganda: • be responsible for the respect of Epicentre ethic and values • ensure that the projects are coherent with the overall Epicentre vision • coordinate the implementation of the scientific communication strategy • maintain good relationships with national Ugandan authorities and international institutions • promote scientific collaborations with the “Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)” and other academic institutions • represent Epicentre during official and institutional meetings and present Epicentre activity and strategy when needed
- Leadership of the research strategy and research projects
He/she will: • constitute and chair the EMRB Advisory Board, comprising representatives of the MUST and Mbarara regional hospital • lead the assessment of the research-related needs at the different levels (local, national and international) • participate to the various Epicentre / MSF / working groups meetings when needed • participate to the analysis of research priorities by liaising with the technical advisors (from Epicentre HQ or working groups) and by seeking other expertise when required • develop a 2-year research plan with his/her colleagues from Epicentre HQ , taking into account the advices of the Advisory Board, and coordinate its implementation • follow the scientific literature and keep updated in the scope of the research agenda of the EMRB • translate the research priorities identified into operational / financial / human resources /logistic terms • participate with his/her colleagues to the writing of concept notes and research proposals • coordinate the various components of the annual strategy review and review the final report and presentation • review all scientific communication from the EMRB
- Management of the EMRB
The Director is responsible for the overall organization of the management of the EMRB and is in charge of a smooth communication between EMRB and Epicentre HQ.
He/she is assisted by a Management Committee composed of the administration coordinator, the laboratory coordinator, the medical resources coordinator, the logistic coordinator and the information system coordinator. In collaboration with them, he/she will :
• support the implementation of all studies • ensure that the clinical research projects follow the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Laboratory practices (GLP) • ensure that the human resources (expatriates and national staff) are adequately recruited in terms of skills and qualifications, properly trained to fulfil their tasks • coordinate the annual individual reviews and establish the training and continuing education plan • be in charge of the health policy of the staff, comprising insurance policy, infection control plan (implemented and followed) and professional health plan • be responsible of the respect of the study budgets, participate to the external funding raising when necessary and negotiation with the sponsors / funds providers, be responsible of the respect of the agreement/contract applications • be responsible for the information system policy
• ensure that the lab techniques are implemented in accordance with the research strategy • ensure the adequate logistic support to the EMRB and the studies • ensure that the security level is properly adapted to the situation and security measures deployed in due time
Candidate requirements
Mandatory • Medical Doctor • Minimum 3 years experience in senior public health or research management positions in resources-limited countries • Experience in representation and negotiation with national health authorities and other health and/or research actors • Knowledge or clinical experience in infectious diseases • Intermediate knowledge of quantitative epidemiological research • Fluent in English (written and oral) • Good communication and negotiation skills • Willing to work and live in rural setting
Assets/Plus • Clinical or epidemiological research academic level : MSc, MPH, PhD • Previous professional experience in research in developing countries • Previous experience of management/direction/coordination of a research team • Previous experience with MSF as Head of Mission or Medical Coordinator • Intermediate knowledge in biostatistics • Previous experience in legal and budget negotiation, agreements writing with academic research institutions
Conditions
• Expatriate MSF/Epicentre Status •Duration: 24 months •Expected starting period: between 1st July and 1st September 2012 •Place: Mbarara, UGANDA •Deadline of application : May 31st 2012
Please send your CV and motivation letter by e-mail with ref DEMRB to Nathalie Guérineau: job@epicentre.msf.org For additional information, please contact Jean-François Etard : jean-francois.etard@epicentre.msf.org
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