Background

The center for innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa) is a World Bank supported African Center of Excellence hosted in the College of Health Sciences of Addis Ababa University. The main objective of CDT-Africa is to support equitable access to interventions (Medications, diagnostics, and other interventions) and bring about sustainable development in Africa through high quality capacity development for innovative drug and therapeutic discoveries.

As part of this effort, CDT-Africa would like to hire an experienced trial co-ordinator who can co-ordinate CDT-Africa projects. The trial co-ordinator would be linked to the SPARK project (SuPporting African communities to increase the Resilience and mental health of Kids with developmental disorders and their caregivers). SPARK is a cluster randomized controlled trial of the WHO Caregiver Skills Training programme for children with developmental disorders. SPARK will be working across the Gurage Zone and in Addis Ababa.

The Role of the Trial Co-Ordinator

The successful applicant will be responsible for the co-ordination of trials within CDT-Africa projects, with particular responsibility for SPARK, under the guidance of CDT-Africa Center Lead and study investigators.

Principal responsibilities:

• Work closely with project investigators to plan and co-ordinate trial activities.
• Responsibility for all trial regulatory procedures, including the development and implementation of standardized operating procedures.
• Prepare reports for the Data Safety and Monitoring Board and ethics review committees.
• Attend and contribute to technical meetings around trial procedures.
• Support research coordinator to prepare for field activities, including planning staff activities, utilization of cars and financial resources.
• Support the line management of research assistants, field coordinators, data collectors and other field staff.
• Responsible for ensuring all data collection is in line with quality requirements for a clinical trial.
• Responsible for ensuring that the data manager implements all standardized operating procedures for quality data management.
• Work with statistician on randomization procedures.
• Liaise with local and international stakeholders to support engagement in the studies.
• Involvement in research dissemination activities.
• Additional tasks as directed by the Head of the Center or study investigators.

Personal attributes

• Well organised.
• A high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to work with others, including international collaborators
• Excellent communication and organizational skills

Terms and conditions

Salary: Negotiable depending on qualifications and experience.

Hours of Work: Are governed by the laws of Ethiopia. However, the nature of the work is such that it might require working overtime and weekends, with due financial compensation.

Holidays: Are governed by the rules of Addis Ababa University for project workers.

Length of Contract: This is a 3 year post subject to six monthly contract renewal.

Probationary Period and Notice Period: There is a three-month probationary period for this role. The notice period is one month.

No. required : One

Terms of employment : Full-time, 3 year post subject to six monthly contract renewal

Reports to : CDT-Africa Center Lead

• MSc in Health-related or social science-related field, with thesis.
• At least 2 years of experience working as a trial coordinator.
• Knowledge of health research essential.
• Experience in working with international collaborators
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Strong computer program literacy and knowledge.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills.