Manager: Research

Invest in your future with NHLS

National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is the largest diagnostic pathology service in South Africa and offers unrivalled career opportunities for competent, qualified individuals who are passionate about delivering an unequalled service to the public sector. We offer high-quality training, diverse exposure in our more than 250 laboratories as well as sought-after research and publishing opportunities.

Grants Management and Administration
National Microbiology Surveillance Unit
Manager: Research
(12-month fixed-term contract – renewable)
(Ref. NICDCDCEX1011/001-01)

An exciting opportunity exists to join the NICD’s National Microbiology Surveillance Unit. This unit co-ordinates a national surveillance programme for invasive bacterial and fungal infections, in South Africa, called GERMS-SA (the Group for Enteric, Respiratory and Meningeal Disease Surveillance in South Africa). Within this surveillance programme are new projects, one of which is a nested case-control study looking at the effectiveness of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine which was recently introduced into the national infant immunisation programme.

We are looking for a dynamic health professional who will work with a team of medical officers involved in coordinating the GERMS-SA programme and other projects. This position will provide the applicant with the opportunity to obtain experience in surveillance and public health research. If you are self-motivated, passionate about public health and epidemiology, enjoy travelling and want to contribute to public health in South Africa, you should apply. You will mainly assist in the planning, resourcing and co-ordination of all research activities of NMSE and GERMS-SA related projects.

Key job responsibilities: • Communicate effectively with national and international partners • Review clinical case report forms for consistency and accuracy • Assist with managing and training surveillance officers • Assist with surveillance and research work at local sites when surveillance officers are away • Assist with site visits and surveillance audits • Follow up surveillance cases telephonically • Assist with organising and running surveillance officer meetings • Compile surveillance reports • Assist with obtaining ethics approval and permissions for surveillance and research projects • Advise surveillance officers with GERMS-SA related queries • Update and write SOPs • Present surveillance findings at national and international conferences and meetings.

Key competency requirements: • A 4-year professional qualification (Nursing, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or other health-related courses) with appropriate registration with a regulatory body • 3 years’ post-qualification experience • 2 years’ clinical research experience and knowledge of study protocols • An interest in public health work • Communication skills (verbal and written; good telephone manner) • Self-motivated and able to work independently • A driver’s licence and own vehicle • Language proficiency in English (proficiency in isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho or Setswana will be advantageous) • Experience in public health, applied epidemiology and communicable diseases • Computer literacy • Attention to detail.

Interested persons who meet the requirements are invited to send their concise CVs to the address mentioned at each division.

Interested applicants who meet the qualification and experience requirements are invited to submit applications (concise 2-page CV) as directed above. Applicants must ensure their applications have been received. Due to inherent job and operational requirements, the apedidates.

Correspondence will be limited to short-listed candidates. If you have not heard from the NHLS within 2 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

The NHLS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. The filling of positions will be guided by the NHLS Employment Equity targets.

For further information about the NHLS, please visit www.nhls.ac.za

Closing date: 26 October 2011.