Monthly Archives: January 2022

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria is one of seven African research hubs for the new National Institutes of Health (NIH) five-year program, Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa). In addition to the seven research hubs, the NIH DS-I Africa initiative also awarded five research training grants, four ethics program awards, and an open data science platform and coordinating center awards. The investigators of all 17 awards will all work together within the DS-I Africa consortium to promote the use of data science for innovation and discovery in Africa.

Building on existing data, researchers of the IHVN research hub for INFORM Africa will establish data streams from public and private sectors to understand the multilayer interactions that may explain the dynamics and impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic, through three proposed research projects and two cores:  the Data Management and Analysis Core to support management and analysis of both pre-existing data and new data produced through the Hub, and an Administrative Core.  By utilizing large datasets on HIV and SARS-CoV-2 from Nigeria and South Africa, two of Africa’s largest and most affected countries, INFORM Africa will be able to provide novel insights on the epidemiology of both viruses as well as their impact on each other, to create a core capability for governments across Africa to better respond to both these concurrent epidemics as well as future epidemics.

Job title	Program Manager/Coordinator
Location	International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
Project	Inform Africa (Role of Data Streams In Informing Infection Dynamics in Africa), one of the seven research hubs grant award of the new National Institutes of Health five-year program, Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa)

Opening date: 20^th January, 2022
Closing date: 3^rd February, 2022

Job purpose

The Program Manager/Coordinator will work under the direction of the overall INFORM Africa Principal Investigator (PI) and in close collaboration with the INFORM Africa multiPIs (MPI) and key personnel to provide high level scientific coordination and administrative management to meet the INFORM Africa objectives. Duties include those described below:

Duties and responsibilities

The duties of the program manager/coordinator working under the direction of the INFORM Africa PI include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Scientific Administration
   1. Prepare materials for, and liaise with INFORM Africa multi-PIs and key personnel for Institutional Review Boards ethical approvals.
   2. Work closely with INFORM Africa multi-PIs and key personnel to ensure that adequate progress is made on milestones for each of the projects and cores.
   3. Work closely with INFORM Africa multi-PIs and key personnel to ensure that scientific reports from the projects and the cores are prepared, collated, reviewed and submitted on time to NIH following sign off by the PI.
   4. Prepare research materials and coordinate activities of INFORM Africa sub committees and subsequent research proposals.
   5. Attend working groups meetings, conferences, and meetings of INFORM Africa research hub or the DS-I Africa consortium as assigned by the PI.
2. General Administration
   1. Coordinate and conduct the dissemination and local implementation of research terms of reference and procedures to INFORM Africa research hub.
   2. Schedule regular videoconference/Zoom calls or meetings for the INFORM Africa steering committee, subcommittees, the scientific advisory board, the community advisory board, the investigative team and develop minutes, action items with timelines.
   3. Follow up on action items identified to ensure timeliness of activities.
   4. Develop and maintain a filing system for INFORM Africa documents & maintain contact lists.
   5. Act as the point of contact for internal and external partners.
   6. Maintain and monitor project plans and project schedules.

3. Travel Logistics
   1. Coordinate itineraries, flight and ground transport, and other travel support services.
   2. Work with IHVN and partner travel logistics to ensure that travel requests, accommodations, and remunerations are submitted on time and within budget.

4. Budget Management and Reports
   1. Work with IHVN grants and contracts and finance department to ensure research grant expenditures are per sponsor and organization regulations, policies, and procedures.
   2. Work with grants and contracts and finance department to prepare financial reports, maintain correspondence with INFORM Africa stakeholders via emails, memos & letters.
   3. Prepare meeting retirements as needed.

5. Communications
   1. Communicate activity schedules and information to the INFORM Africa team and other collaborators where relevant.
   2. Work with the communication team to post activities of INFORM Africa, and promote the visibility of events.

Experience and Skills

• Strong research training and applied research experience.
• Literature search and systematic review skills.
• Organizational skills, ability to absorb new tasks as they arise and are assigned.
• An analytical mindset with problem-solving skills
• Mature interpersonal and communication skills.
• Nigeria and/or other African country-related work experience.

Educational qualifications

A research-oriented individual with an interest in science and good at health project management and research administration with:

• A PhD, MD/MPH or MPH with significant experience in research program management, especially multi-site research consortia.

Working conditions

• Location: The coordinator will be based at the IHVN in Abuja, Nigeria, the prime for INFORM Africa research hub.
• Duration of Engagement is for 5 years, contingent upon availability of grant funding.

Reporting

The Program Manager/coordinator reports directly to the INFORM Africa Principal Investigator

More Information

The International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria          www.ihvn-irce.org

Grant website: Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa)

Mode of Application:

• Application letter and detailed curriculum vitae in Microsoft word format should be forwarded to the Deputy Director, Human Resources through this email address: [email protected] 
• When applying, kindly indicate location being applied for at the top right corner of application

This advert closes 14 days from date of this publication and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The Expanding the Pool of Independent Investigators in Implementation Science in Nigeria through HIV Research training (EXPAND Nigeria) project will focus on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) in the area of HIV and implementation research in Nigeria. We aim to develop a flexible, locally-tailored research curriculum incorporating hard and soft skill-building for postdoctoral early-career investigators to attain research independence and to impart program evaluation and knowledge translation skills to program implementers and policymakers, for high-level impact on RMNCAH gaps in Nigeria’s HIV program. EXPAND Nigeria’s scalable curriculum and mentoring approach address both independent research and programmatic capacity gaps, towards attaining sustainability for HIV research/research funding, and high-level programmatic competencies.

This proposal seeks to bridge the last-mile gap between “capacity-built” and “independent investigator-ship” for Nigerian researchers by consolidating capacity into skills, facilitating academic maturity, and growing professional expertise. Projects through which participants demonstrate their skills will leverage funded studies implemented in Nigeria and led by both local and international faculty mentors. Ultimately, both short-term and long-term trainees will have gained and will apply implementation science-informed knowledge and strengthened skills in programmatic and research leadership positions in Nigeria

Job Title	Research Training Coordinator
Location	International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Abuja
Project	Expanding the Pool of Independent Investigators in Implementation Science in Nigeria through HIV Research Training (EXPAND Nigeria)

Opening Date: 20^th January, 2022
Closing Date:  3rd February, 2022

Job Purpose

The Coordinator will work in close collaboration with the EXPAND multi-Principal Investigators (mPIs), faculty members and rest of the team to provide administrative coordination, curriculum development and technical support for meeting the training grant’s goals described above.

Duties and Responsibilities

The core duties of the Coordinator include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Research and Training Administration

Coordinate and contribute to EXPAND curriculum development, implementation and review

• Create and maintain EXPAND course schedules and calendars.
• Participation in team meetings for curriculum development and review, and provide administrative support to other team members as needed.
• Provide technical coordination support to project activities, including:
  • Support the drafting, editing, and formatting of course materials, course descriptions, documents, and reports.
  • Support evaluation and update of training program.
  • Maintain online curriculum and learning tools.
  • Support web-based learning, for example by serving in the role of producer for virtual sessions (training provided), sourcing content, e.g. images, videos, and literature based on specific criteria, and other related duties as assigned.
  • Support trainees in administrative tasks related to the curriculum and their research projects including Institutional Review Board applications.

2. General Administration
   • Planning and coordinating EXPAND meetings, workshops and other team events.
   • Taking detailed meeting minutes and preparing meeting reports.
   • Follow up on action items identified to ensure timeliness of activities.
   • Act as the point of contact for internal and external partners.
   • Maintain and monitor project plans and schedules.

3. Travel Logistics

Coordinate logistics for the team and collaborators on project activities and events, including:

• Arrange travel, hotels, visas and other necessary preparations for travel.
• Maintain up-to-date participant lists, draft communications and send logistics emails, respond to questions, troubleshoot issues, and so on.
• Maintain invoices and receipts related to travel logistics for appropriate financial reporting, payments and reimbursements.

4. Budget Management and Financial and Technical Reports
   • Work with IHVN grants and contracts and finance department to ensure research grant expenditures are per sponsor and organization regulations, policies, and procedures.
   • Maintain accurate records and supporting documents for invoicing and expense tracking.
   • Prepare drafts & assist mPIs to complete technical progress and financial reports for funders.
   • Prepare ad hoc reports as and when requested.

Experience and Skills Required

• Mature interpersonal and communication skills-will be working with multiple stakeholders of varied backgrounds.

• Strong organizational, speaking and writing skills.
• Strong research training and applied research experience.
• Analytical mindset with problem-solving skills.
• High-level skills in Microsoft Excel functions and developing high quality PowerPoints.

• Research or general administration training and experience.
• Literature search and systematic review skills.
• Nigeria and/or other African country working experience.

Educational Qualifications

An academically-oriented individual with interest in research, research education and research administration with:

• A Masters’ degree (e.g. MPH or MSc in public health, epidemiology, implementation science, or other grant-relevant field).
• At least one year of experience in coordinating a research or research training project, and/or
• Experience in the development of general educational and research curricula.

Working conditions

• Location: The Coordinator will be based at the International Research Center of Excellence, at IHVN headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, where central EXPAND activities will take place.
• Duration of engagement is for up to five years, contingent upon availability of grant funding

Reporting

The Research Training Coordinator reports directly to the two EXPAND multi-Principal Investigators. The mPIs will have different grant areas for which they will be primary supervisor.

General Information

The International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria   www.ihvn-irce.org

Mode of Application:

• Application letter and detailed curriculum vitae in Microsoft word format should be forwarded to the Deputy Director, Human Resources through this email address: [email protected] 
• When applying, kindly indicate location being applied for at the top right corner of application

This advert closes 14 days from date of this publication and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The National AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections Control and Hepatitis Programme (NASCP) is a division of the Department of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH). Its mandate is to coordinate the formulation and effective implementation of the Nigerian government policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures for the prevention of new HIV infections as well as improve on the existing treatment, care and support for those persons already infected and affected by the virus in the country. In collaboration with the USG, NASCP is implementing a first phase of National Clinical Mentoring in the HIV program in 19 Nigerian States for improved HIV service delivery.

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, (IHVN) in collaboration with SASCP is seeking to recruit qualified persons in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to fill the following critical positions necessary for program implementation in the state as indicated below.

Job Title: State Clinical Mentor	State Clinical Mentor
Employment Type: Full-Time	Employment Type: Full-Time
Location:	Rivers State (5 positions) FCT (8 positions)

Opening Date: 12^th January 2022
Closing Date:  23^rd January 2022

Job Summary: The candidate must be domiciled in the state and be conversant with the terrain. S/He is expected to build the capacity of frontline Healthcare workers to provide quality HIV clinical services offered as part of a comprehensive package of care in both public and private facilities as well as in communities.

 Responsibilities:

• Provide on-site clinical training to health care workers on HIV treatment according to the national guidelines, including adult and pediatric ART and the treatment of tuberculosis and other opportunistic diseases.
• Provide training through clinical consultation, assisting local health care workers to identify key bottlenecks affecting patients’ access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and helping them with direct patient care as needed.
• Provide continuous medical education (CME), which may include didactic training sessions to health professionals, as needed. All training will be in accordance with the national guidelines.
• Provide health worker capacity building sessions using various methodologies (including use of project ECHO, low bandwidth video conferencing).
• Assist as requested with facilitating sessions on the weekly ECHO videoconferencing sessions with health workers from various sites in the states.
• Develop standard operating procedures for the provision of HIV clinical care at the health facility in collaboration with the Ministry of health and other stakeholders. This may include troubleshooting problems with the patient flow, tracking defaulters, or clarifying referral pathways by developing appropriate algorithms.
• Submit a monthly report on training and technical assistance activities, as well as findings and recommendations for strengthening services in the health facility and compliance with the national treatment guidelines.
• Perform other duties related to clinical mentoring as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess a degree in Medical Sciences (MBBS or equivalent). Post graduate qualification/Masters level training in Public Health, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics or Obstetrics will be an advantage.
• Must be registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
• At least 3-5 years’ experience with clinical HIV and AIDS care, including the provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART).
• Must have at least 2 years’ experience with program planning, assessment, and implementation of HIV clinical care program. Experience in the provision of HIV clinical training.
• Previous experience in HIV-related operational research is an advantage.
• Good knowledge of current trends and normative guidance (national and international) in HIV clinical care and service delivery.
• Experience in coordinating multi-disciplinary HIV clinical teams for effective service delivery.
• Willingness to travel to clinics and hospitals in assigned geographical areas within the State.

Required Competencies/Skills:

• Demonstrated coaching and mentoring ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with people of different backgrounds.
• Ability to apply problem-solving skills to ongoing challenge.
• Strong organizing, planning, and prioritizing skills.
• Sensitivity to different cultural working environments.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data, and write reports.
• Capacity to operate both as a team player in large diverse teams as well as individually.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Proficiency in the computers and software/applications such as presentation software, spreadsheets, and video conferencing.

Mode of Application:

• Application letter and detailed curriculum vitae in Microsoft word format should be forwarded to the Deputy Director, Human Resources through this email address: [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• When applying, kindly indicate location being applied for at the top right corner of application

This advert closes 14 days from date of this publication and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.