Research Medical Officer at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

JOB PURPOSE: 

The post holder will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day clinical activities related to the RVF003 vaccine trial, evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of a Rift Valley Fever vaccine. Together with the Principal Investigator, the post holder will safeguard the health and welfare of the participants and ensure staff compliance with the protocol. Additionally, the post holder will perform and oversee clinical procedures and make trial-related medical decisions. He/she will work with the Principal Investigator to contribute to tasks preparatory to the project including protocol development and submissions, developing a study work plan, organising and conducting training for project-specific staff, and higher level responsibilities for ensuring field and laboratory procedures are carried out as well as data analysis, preparation of reports and manuscripts and correspondence with international collaborators and the sponsor. The post holder will need to be self-sufficient and be able to work with minimal supervision in a demanding environment, often with unpredictable timelines. The post is mentally demanding and extremely good communication is essential. The post holder may also be required to contribute to other associated projects.

Description: 

REPORTS TO:  Principal Investigator

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: Clinical officers, fieldworkers, nurses

BUDGET AND RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:   Management of study imprest

JOB DIMENSIONS:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide medical oversight of trial participants including ensuring good clinical governance at the study site(s) with regards the clinical evaluation of participants
• Coordinate the activities of clinical study team members, ensuring Good Clinical Practice (GCP) in all aspects of study implementation
• Appraise performance of study clinicians, nurses, and fieldworkers
• Supervise the clinical research team as required in the provision of patient care, and data management while ensuring adherence to study protocols and procedures
• Maintain high quality research output through undertaking research analysis and scientific writing for publication
• Evaluate skill-mix and skill requirements within the site-based clinical teams and build capacity of team through on-the-job training as required
• Ensure study staff are adequately trained on most currently approved study documentation including trial protocol, standard operating procedures.
• Contribute to drafting reports to the relevant ethics, regulatory and safety bodies.
• Drafting clinical reports and peer-reviewed journal articles for stakeholders on both national and international levels, as well as for research funders.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Undergraduate degree in Medicine and Surgery. added advantage Master’s degree in public health, infectious diseases, epidemiology or other allied discipline
• At least 3 years’ post-qualification experience in adult clinical medicine
• Registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board
• Ability to cover clinical visits on an on-call rota basis

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Understanding of Good Clinical Practice
• Experience of working in clinical studies
• Training in adult life support (basic and/or advanced)
• Management experience
• Computer literacy with proficiency in Microsoft applications

COMPETENCIES:

• Unquestionable integrity
• Excellent interpersonal, written, presentation and communication skills
• Good analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Ability to work as part of a team in a multi-cultural environment
• Delegation and teamwork