Project Coordinator

TITLE: Project Coordinator

REPORTS TO: Study Principal Investigators

LOCATION: New York, NY

DATE: October 2012

POSITION SUMMARY:         

ICAP at Columbia University is conducting both NIH- and USAID- funded research studies that aim to improve the delivery of HIV services in resource-limited settings.  The focus of these studies includes prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (PMTCT), linkage and retention in HIV care, and HIV testing and prevention strategies The New York research study coordinator is a full time position with duties split between at least two studies.

JOB FUNCTION
With support of the senior study staff, the New York Project Coordinator will be responsible for providing overall technical support with regard to study implementation including development of standard operating procedures, study staff training, data management, report writing and all study procedures at study sites located in designated sub-Saharan African countries, which may include Swaziland, South Africa, Lesotho, and/or Kenya.  The Project Coordinator work closely with research staff in the local ICAP office and will conduct frequent visits to study sites to support study implementation, assess data collection practices and to ensure compliance with protocol standard operating procedures. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for reporting all deviations from the protocol and adverse events to each study’s principal investigator and senior study staff.  The Project Coordinator will also conduct routine data quality assessments to ensure accuracy of data and will provide additional training support as needed. The Project Coordinator will work closely with in-country study coordinators, study co-investigators and report to each study’s principal investigator. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee and assist with study implementation including development of standard operating procedures, preparation of documentation for IRB submissions, sensitization of health facility staff, ensuring site readiness for start of the study, developing strategies for recruitment, and providing on-going technical support to ensure continued implementation of the study.
• Provide weekly updates and communicate regularly with senior study staff to inform them of study progress and any challenges encountered at the sites.
• Assist in-country study coordinators to provide regular updates on the progress of the study to the health facility management and clinical care teams at study sites.
• Supervise all study-related activities at designated study sites including management and on-going technical support for all on-site study staff in designated countries.
• Oversee data quality assurance for the study through routine data quality checks and on-site assessments as per study standard operating procedures.
• Oversee on-site data management for the study including facilitating submission of data from the on-site study team to New York offices.
• Oversee on-site adherence to the protocol and standard operating procedures for study procedures; ensure adverse event reporting to the study principal investigators.
• Assist with other aspects of the study as directs
  

EDUCATION

• Masters degree in public health, health management information systems, statistics or related field.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and practical experience in health related research, including adherence to research protocols, data collection procedures and ethical requirements of human subjects research.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite applications, including MS Access.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in business, international relations, public health or project management
• Written and spoken language skills in French or Portuguese
• Administrative Project Management training and experience in international settings
• Solid understanding of USG’s project design and development process and the factors important to evaluation committee decision making
• Minimum 3 years of work experience in the international development field. Field-based experience desirable
• Demonstrated expertise in writing and analyzing proposal sections, including past performance, corporate capabilities, management plans and budgets
• Excellent technical skills in writing, editing, formatting, research and negotiation

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Frequent travel to study sites in designated countries located in sub-Saharan Africa. Each trip on average would be 1-2 weeks with approximately 6 trips per year.

TO APPLY:
To apply for this position, please visit this posting on Jobs at Columbia.

Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, creed, national and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status.