CLINICAL TRIAL COORDINATOR CLINICIAN JOBS AT THE MRC UNIT THE GAMBIA

The MRC Unit, The Gambia is the Council’s largest establishment conducting medical research in a developing country. The Unit aims to improve the health of people in low-income countries by excellence in multi-disciplinary research programmes. We are undertaking a randomized clinical trial that will examine the effects of administering a pneumococcal-conjugate vaccine either to expectant mothers or to newborn infants within 48 hours of birth, on pneumococcal carriage (as a surrogate of pneumococcal disease) in early life.

The MRC Unit, The Gambia is currently recruiting to fill the following position:

Position: Clinical Trial Coordinator/Clinician

Job Description:
The MRC Unit, The Gambia is undertaking a randomised clinical trial that will examine the effects of administering a pneumococcal-conjugate vaccine either to expectant mothers at between 28 and 34 weeks gestation, or to newborn infants, shortly following birth, on pneumococcal carriage (as a surrogate of pneumococcal disease) in early life. The two groups will be compared to the routine 2, 3 and 4 month infant schedule currently recommended by WHO and used in The Gambia. As well as assessing pneumococcal carriage and the immunogenicity of the vaccines (including transplacental and breast milk antibody transfer), safety follow-up of both mothers during pregnancy and also their newborn infants will be central component of the trial.

This study requires field work that will be conducted at the Fajikunda, Bundung and Sukuta area and a laboratory component in the laboratories in MRC Fajara. The Clinical Trail Coordinator would be responsible for planning and overseeing the daily trial clinic activities including vaccination and monitoring of vaccines.

Qualifications/Requirements:
MBBS or equivalent primary medical qualification.
Part 2 FWACP, equivalent medical qualification or relevant post-graduate degree with significant experience in Clinical Trials.
Previous work on clinical trials of vaccines or drugs following GCP requirements.
Thorough understanding of GCP and relevant clinical trials regulations (e.g. EMA, FDA etc) and ability to apply and interpret them appropriately to the setting in The Gambia.
Practical experience of health research in developing countries.
Experience in managing staff.
Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills.
Excellent organisational skills.
High degree of attention to detail
Enthusiastic and committed team player and team motivator.
Commitment to working in a multi-disciplinary team.
A flexible and well-organised approach to work and an ability to meet deadlines.
Willingness to be on-call and work outside the normal working hours.
Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access).
Desirable:
Record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Ability to work on databases and statistical packages.
Experience of cold-chain management.
Experience in recruiting expectant mothers to clinical trials.

Salary/Remuneration:
The salary will be paid in Grade 2 (35 Points) at a take home salary of D99, 316 Dalasis per month equivalent to a net salary of $2, 482 per month using the prevailing USD/Dalasi exchange rate.
Please note that the salary will be paid in Dalasis and the USD figure quoted is given as a guide using the prevailing USD/Dalasi exchange.

For displaced staff the package will include displacement allowances for family, flights, contribution to school fees for children and shipment of personal effects.

Method of Application:
All potential job applicants that have the skills and abilities for this senior position please contact the Human Resources Office for an application form and a copy of the job description and person specification for the post. Completed application forms together with photocopies of qualifications should be returned to:

Human Resources Office.
Vacancy for: Clinical Trial Coordinator/Clinician (Propel Study)
MRC Unit, Fajara
P.O. Box 273, Banjul,
Gambia, West Africa.

Telephone: 00220 4495442–6 & 00220 4494072-9

E-mail: hr@mrc.gm

NB:
The post is up to 31st January 2017 in the first instance.
For more information about MRC Unit, The Gambia, please visit; www.mrc.gm.

Application Deadline: 17th June, 2015.

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