Director Research

Projahnmo Research Foundation (PRF), a Bangladeshi NGO, in association with Johns Hopkins University, USA, has a long and illustrious history of conducting research in Bangladesh. PRF’s research has contributed to science and many of those research findings are translated into action in respect to maternal, neonatal and child health in our country and abroad.  PRF has also supported the career development of numerous Bangladeshi public health professionals. PRF is seeking qualified and motivated applicants from Bangladeshi nationals for the position of Director Research.  

 

The Director Research will be responsible for the overall management of all ongoing research projects. As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Director Research, under the direction of the project PI and PRF Executive Director (ED) will be responsible for planning, execution, and study-related communications with the study managers/focal persons and the PI and other investigators (the team of investigators). S/he will assist in preparing and reviewing study reports, identifying gaps and potential solutions, and communicating with PI.  S/he will be also responsible for administrative management of staff and the team of investigators. S/he will have to ensure effective and efficient use of the project's resources and materials. The Director Research will be reportable to the PIs on technical matters and to the PRF ED on administrative matters.

 

Duty station: Dhaka

 

Responsibility # 1: Research Implementation

Coach, manage, and support a team of researchers Must ensure all relevant IRB/ERC approvals and compliance Obtain administrative approvals as needed (from DGHS, DGFP, DGDA, implementing hospitals etc.) Supervise and assist Study Managers/ Study focal persons to ensure adequacy of implementation, identify barriers/challenges of implementation, and help design strategies to overcome the challenges of ongoing studies Make visits to field and study hospitals and ensure research implementation as per protocol Assist Project Managers in developing details implementation plan Attend weekly meetings with study teams Monitor the progress of activities and provide feedback Facilitate training to study staff about the study Support logistics supply to the field office Identify challenges of implementation and assist in designing strategies to overcome those

Responsibility # 2: Research Monitoring

Design field monitoring reporting template Assist in designing data quality assurance systems and tools Review weekly, fortnightly, and monthly reports and identify issues, and provide feedback Assist in preparing standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Responsibility # 3: Report preparation

Assist in preparing and maintaining records of research activities and prepare periodic and ad hoc reports, as required by investigators, funding agencies, and/or regulatory bodies Review routine quantitative and descriptive reports and suggest improvement/change, if necessary Support to writing manuscripts

Responsibility # 4 Communication and liaise

Organize stakeholder meetings and workshops for dissemination of study findings Liaise with the local study community to obtain feedback and consent from the local community on planned studies Share study results with study participants and local community Represent PRF in different stakeholder meetings, workshops and seminar in the country and abroad Maintain close liaison with stakeholders, including hospitals where PRF studies are implemented, DGHS/DHFP, WHO Dhaka Office, UNICEF Dhaka office, professional bodies Regularly communicate to PI and other investigators to update progress and share issues with potential solutions Maintain regular communication to donor and attend weekly/fortnightly/monthly conference call even after work hours Attend weekly Zoom call with PIs and investigators even after work hours

Responsibility # 5 Administrative support

Support study team to hire vacant positions Approve requisitions and bills Track and monitor expenditure and timeline Serve a member of different committees of PRF

Responsibility # 6 Project development

Assist to develop new project Draft budget for grant submission Provide supporting data from different studies to develop new project

 

Reporting: Reports to Executive Director and on technical matters to Principal Investigator (PI).

Supervise: All project managers/study focal persons

Qualification and experience:  

• Bachelor’s in medical science (MBBS) with master’s in public health. Candidates with PhD will be given preference
• At least ten years of professional experience with at least five years in a senior position, including project/research management experience.
• Experience in research program management and administration, financial management, award compliance, and tracking activity performance and costs
• Strong in written and verbal English and Bangla communications
• Skilled in MS Office software
• Must have a track record of performance, possibly some publications

Core Competencies:  

• Planning and organizing.
• Operational decision making.
• Developing and coordinating with teams.
• Coaching and counseling.
• Managing performance for success.
• Delegating authority and responsibility.
• Networking, collaboration and building partnerships
• Scientific writing and publication in peer-reviewed journal

Job Nature: Fixed term

 

Salary: Competitive. (Salary can be negotiable based on qualifications and experience).

 

Benefit: 12% retirement fund contribution by PRF will be given as per organizational policy.

Application instruction: Projahnmo Research Foundation (PRF) is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates. Any persuasion will disqualify the candidature. Only short-listed candidates will be invited for interview. Interested candidates who fulfill the requirements should submit the electronic application in http://jobs.prfbd.org/ or send a hard copy application which includes cover letter, updated CV, current and expected salary, copies of all certificates, and two copies photograph to the HR Officer, Projahnmo Research Foundation, Level 7, House 97A, Road 25, Block A, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh with name of the position over the top of the envelop by 10 October 2024.