Research Program Specialist

The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria is seeking an individual for the position of Research Program Specialist in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT APPLICANTS WHO ARE NOT SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR PERMANENT RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications Required: NOTE: ALL APPLICANTS MUST ADDRESS EACH SELECTION CRITERION DETAILED BELOW WITH SPECIFIC AND COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION SUPPORTING EACH ITEM. Items 1- 5 are ALL REQUIRED 1. Education: Master's degree or host country equivalent in public health (MPH), social sciences or a research related field of study is required. 2. Experience: - A minimum of three years of progressively responsible work experience in public health sector, a university or higher education setting, government or an international organization is required. Work experience must include substantial exposure to research and/or special study activities such as development of survey documents and questionnaires, protocol development, data review and analysis, coordination or clearance of research activities, or assistance in carrying out research projects. - Work experience with a South African Ethics Research Council or a Human Subjects Ethics Research Council is required. 3. Language: English level IV (fluent) reading/writing/speaking is required. 4. Knowledge: - Broad knowledge of the host country operational environment, including a good working knowledge of the environment for conducting research in South Africa and issues commonly encountered in the implementation of PEPFAR supported research activities in South Africa is required. - In depth understanding of the research process as well as documentation and procedures required for the ethical review and clearance of projects and funding restriction mechanisms for these activities is required. - In-depth understanding of the structure and functions of CDC South Africa, including knowledge of CDC's role in support of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is required. 5. Skills and Abilities: - Excellent organizational skills with attention to details are required. - Excellent interpersonal skills are required. - Ability to plan and establish effective schedules for meeting deadlines for submission of clearance documentation is required. - Ability to coordinate and negotiate effectively with host government, implementing partners and inter-agency partners is required. - Proficiency in scholarly writing is required. - Intermediate user level of Microsoft word processing, spreadsheets and other databases is required.

Job Specification

Basic Function of Position: The Research Program Specialist position is in one of the largest and busiest CDC Division of Global HIV/AIDS offices in Africa. The position is central and integral in the CDC South Africa Office, supporting the research and project activities of two CDC Divisions, their respective staff numbering approximately 70, and over 100 Partner organizations. The Research Program Specialist reports to the Associate Director for Science (ADS), CDC DGHA South Africa, and serves as a focal point for the coordination and clearance of all CDC-supported research protocols, manuscripts and abstracts. The incumbent provides support and assistance to the Associate Director for Science in the review of current program activities and data to identify DGHA's research activities and the identification of specific research needs. Collaborates with and supports CDC technical staff and implementing partners in the development, content and scientific format of questionnaires, survey documents and project protocols funded by CDC. Coordinates and oversees the logistics for the clearance process of these projects, which includes review and approval by the Associate Director for Science, local ethical review boards, CDC Atlanta, and CDC Institutional Review Board (IRB), as required. In collaboration with technical staff, follows up with implementing partners, CDC Atlanta and local ethical review boards to ensure that clearance moves forward in a timely manner to avoid the negative impact of project start delays, and those associated costs, and missed opportunities. Coordinates and facilitates the submission and review of conference abstracts to enable CDC and Partner staff members to present their project findings which benefit the larger scientific community. Helps develop and participates in training sessions for review and clearance procedures with partners and CDC staff which may include individual or group training. Maintains and updates all files and documentation associated with the review and clearance process and research agenda in CDC South Africa, including the evaluation of performance metrics, through the use of SharePoint and other software. S/he will serve as Acting Associate Director for Science and have the authority to review and clear abstracts, manuscripts and protocols in the absence of the Associate Director for Science. In addition the Research Program Specialist helps support the ongoing training and education of CDC South Africa Office staff by helping coordinate the office-wide Science Forum and various Associate Director for Science Brown Bag sessions. Basic Salary: R335,582 - R469,815 per annum Cash Benefits: R101,311 - R112,497 per annum Non-cash benefits include medical, pension and others where applicable Closing: October 2, 2013 (Close of Business) For more details on the Application and Selection process, please go to: Please note that this link will take you to the p-net site. http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html Register and Apply via: http://americanembassy.pnet.co.za