Study Manager for the ‘Zipime Weka Schista’ Study Zambart

Zambart is a research institution known internationally for cutting edge applied and interdisciplinary research on urgent public health issues. Zambart’s mission is to provide evidence based research to influence policy. Zambart staff form an interdisciplinary team with a range of expertise including epidemiology, clinical science, social science, laboratory, operations research, health systems and services research, health policy analysis, health economics, health communication and counselling. Zambart’s head office is located at Ridgeway Campus, the University of Zambia.

Study Summary: The ‘Zipime Weka Schista‘ study, is a novel one-stop approach for improving young women’s sexual and reproductive health through community based infection screening in Zambia.

The study mainly focuses on the detection of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a chronic and disabling parasitic gynecological disease that gets often confused with sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) due to their similarities in clinical presentations. The study will recruit women in three areas in Zambia and follow them up for two years.

Station: Lusaka, Zambia

Job Title: Study Manager for the ‘Zipime Weka Schista’ Schista study

Roles and Responsibilities

• Assist with the design and management of the BILHIPV intervention activities across three schistosomiasis endemic sites in Zambia.
• Lead on the study protocol and study master file preparation and submission to ethics review boards in the UK and Zambia.
• Work in close cooperation with stakeholders in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the study.
• Assist in management of study budget resources
• Responsible for providing overall technical leadership and guidance to intervention staff as well as overall supervision of technical responsibilities
• Work closely with MOH, health authorities at all levels and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) and cervical cancer (CC) agencies implementing CC screening, schistosomiasis control, ART delivery, and other HIV related activities.
• Spearhead training of the BILHIPV Intervention staff
• Supervise, track and monitor progress of intervention activities at both household and clinic levels and provide appropriate timely feedback.
• Travel to study sites regularly to supervise field teams.
• Contribute to dissemination of results of the study through report and manuscript writing with colleagues and independently

 Essential requirements

• Higher degree in health-related sciences e.g. MB.BS/MD/MPH/MSc epidemiology
• At least 3 years research experience in reproductive health and HIV-related fields
• At least 2 years of working experience in the delivery of health services
• Ability to work independently as well as manage and lead a successful team
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice guidelines
• Sensitivity to the economic, cultural and political issues which affect research in an African context
• Proven people-management and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Commitment to fostering the development of research
• Computer literate with strong skills in the use of MS Office packages (word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Desirable

• Sound working experience in Public Health Research
• Experience and skills in training and teaching
• Ability to work closely with MOH, NTDs and cervical cancer screening agencies in Zambia
• Familiarity with international developments in schistosomiasis control, cervical cancer and HIV prevention, treatment and care including test and treat strategy.
• Desire for higher training

The appointment is on a two-year contract with the possibility of extension. The possibility of pursuing a higher education degree may be offered to qualified candidates.