Senior Project Manager at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

JOB PURPOSE: 

The main purpose of the job is to coordinate the training, and other activities across the IDeAL consortium and to help develop the consortium’s annual activity plans, ensure resource availability and allocation and the delivery of each activity on time within budget.

Description: 

REPORTS TO:  Head of Training & Training Programme Manager 

BUDGET AND RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:  Work planning and task allocation, requisition and procurement of supplies, consumables and ensuring sensible use of resources.

JOB DIMENSIONS:

IDeAL, the Initiative to Develop African Research Leaders, was established in 2008 as a research training platform at KEMRI-Wellcome with funding from the Wellcome Trust, it was subsequently designated IDeAL in 2015 with further funding from Wellcome and UKAID. Since then, IDeAL acquired a broader national and regional focus culminating in the formation of formal consortium that include KEMRI-Wellcome, Pwani and Strathmore universities in Kenya, Center for Infectious Disease, Zambia, Epicentre in Niger, University of Oxford and Glasgow, UK.

IDeAL aims to develop sustainable health research capacity by establishing a critical mass of local research leaders across all domains of health research, including laboratory sciences, epidemiology, clinical research, social sciences, health systems, and implementation research. The Initiative employs comprehensive framework for attracting recent graduates to health research through a graduate research internship scheme, offering high-quality Masters and PhD training, and retaining those trained in Kenya, the region, or research that is relevant to Africa. IDeAL ensures quality through financial support, operational assistance, a vibrant training environment, technical and leadership development, and post-training support. This framework is underpinned by core values that include diversity, inclusivity, equity and long -term horizon.

The holder of the post will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of all activities under IDeAL phase 2 and prudent use of IDeAL’s funding as per funder’s expectations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify and engage stakeholders including clients, team members, vendors, and other relevant parties in IDeAL to ensure alignment and collaboration throughout the project.  
•  Oversee the utilisation of IDeAL’s funds and resources to support project activities and deliverables.
• Develop comprehensive project plans to track IDeAL’s progress that outlines objectives, scope, timelines, milestones and resource requirements.
• Manage the relationship between IDeAL’s secretariat, partners institutions and collaborators
• Manage recruitment, administration and welfare of IDeAL-funded fellows.
• Risk management by Identifying potential risks in IDEAL and develop mitigation strategies to minimize the impact on project outcomes.
• Reporting by providing regular reports to IDEAL stakeholders on progress, issues and recommendations as well as maintaining comprehensive project documentation
• Quality assurance ensuring IDEAL  project deliverables meet quality standards and adhere to relevant regulations and requirements.
• Budget monitoring ensuring project expenditures and managing the project budget to ensure the costs are controlled and within approved limits.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters’ Degree in project management or related degree
• Project Management Certification i.e. PRINCE2, PMP, etc.
• At least 8 years’ relevant experience, 5 of which are in Project Management.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Understanding of operational aspects of multinational research and  capacity building consortia 
• Experience in developing or running undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate attachment and training scheme
• Experience on organizing workshops, conferences and short courses
• Good presentation skills.
• Some level of fluency in French will be an added advantage.

COMPETENCIES:

• Good knowledge of project management framework best practices as defined under PRINCE2 or PMP and demonstrate ability to implement PMO (Project Management Office) successfully.
• Demonstrated successful management work experience
• Strong IT skills and particular in the use of project management software,
• Strong report writing skills for funding and implementing partners
• Experience in planning for and implementing multi-country training projects
• Experience in planning for and coordinating high-level steering committee meetings
• Understanding of project financial reporting

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

• National and international travel to visit study sites for mentorship, training and trouble shooting.
• Be available to work flexibly, out of hours if necessary.