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JOB SPECIFICATION - ACTIVE VACANCY


Overview of Role

 

AQUITY Innovations NPC has been appointed by Boston College to serve as the implementing partner for an US National Institute of Health (NIH) research study. The project activities will be implemented in Eastern Cape (Sarah Baartman district) in 16 clinics with satellite office in Gqeberha. AQUITY head office is based in Pretoria.

 

As such we seek to employ the following:


Deputy Program Manager to be based in Gqeberha, Satellite Office; significant travel (1-3 times per week) to clinics across Sarah Baartman district.

Responsibilities

Job Purpose:

The Deputy Program Manager supports the Program Manager in coordinating activities of the NIH-funded Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach for TB (SAIA-TB) study. He/she provides operational leadership, oversight and technical support to the 16 clinics enrolled in the study to ensure that the project achieves its goals over the 5-year implementation period (2023-2028).

Key Responsibilities

  • Support the Program Manager in providing operational and programmatic leadership across the SAIA-TB study; deputise for the Program Manager in her absence and ensure continuity of study activities across all 16 enrolled clinics
  • Navigate and interpret NDoH TB data systems including Tier.net, NHLS, and DHIS2; understand TB data flow from facility to district to provincial level; use routine programme data to monitor study site performance, identify data quality issues, and inform implementation decisions
  • Support team members in the implementation of the study to achieve the desired goals; specifically leading the team of research assistants, and data capturers
  • Participate in national/provincial/district/partner meetings as and when required
  • Liaise with sub-district and district partners, NHLS and other stakeholders
  • Provide regular (weekly) and periodic updates on project status and concerns, and where necessary, troubleshoot in consultation with Prgram maanger and Principle Investigator. Submit weekly KPI report
  • Assist in the identification of implementation problems and bottlenecks, escalate them through relevant channels and develop remedial actions in collaboration with key stakeholders
  • Conduct regular supervisory site visits to participating clinics to support study implementation (1-3x per month per clinic)
  • Identify and document lessons learned, develop, and use existing platforms to disseminate lessons learned to improve program results.
  • Perform other related duties as required for effective implementation of the NIH SAIA-TB study
  • Lead focus group discussions and key informant interviews and review qualitative research protocols with Principle Investigator
  • Support research assistants with REDCap data entry as needed
  • Support abstract and manuscript development in collaboration with the Principle Investigator and study team


Qualification

  • Bachelor Degree or Advanced Diploma/equivalent NQF 7 qualification in Management, Business, Public Service Administration or Public Health
  • Clinical degree (nursing, medicine, pharmacy, etc) will be an advantage.
  • Master’s in Public Health will be an added advantage.


Experience

 

Experience

  • 3 years in management experience
  • At least 4 years’ experience in delivering Public Health or implementing research, preferably in TB and/or HIV; prior experience in implementation research is an advantage and will be actively supported through in-role mentoring and capacity development

Job related requirements

  • Sound knowledge of TB, DR-TB, TB/HIV and Quality Improvement methods
  • Knowledge of the SA Health System (provincial, district, sub-district/local municipalities and facility)
  • Strong working knowledge of NDoH data management systems, including TB data flow pathways, data reporting hierarchies, and primary reporting tools (Tier.net, NHLS, and DHIS2); ability to navigate and interpret routine programme data within the national TB data ecosystem is a core requirement of this role
  • Experience in implementing capacity building techniques / strategies with clinical teams
  • Proven technical report writing and presentation skills
  • Demonstrate experience in managing teams (4-8 individuals)
  • Must be willing to travel to Districts and health facilities often
  • Expertise with REDCap platform – for data entry, quality rule development, report generation and data manipulation
  • Experience conducting research

 

 


Personal Characteristics

Other inherent requirements

  • Ability to take initiative and work without supervision and be decisive in what needs to be done
  • Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
  • Ability to work in a high-profile, highly pressured environment
  • Good interpersonal skills and proven track record working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
  • Project management skills including adherence to project timelines and budgets
  • A valid South African Driver’s License


Take Note

This is an annually contracted job for up to 2 years; subject to the award being funded and the candidate fulfilling all job responsibilities.