Research Manager at MRC Laboratories, The Gambia

Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

The Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) is a charity established in 2015 with a mission is to improve human health and save lives in Africa by growing a cohort of African researchers working in Africa, who lead and partner excellent, collaborative health research that benefits patients, populations, policy makers and practitioners throughout the region and globally. For further information on AREF, please visit https://www.africaresearchexcellencefund.org.uk. 

The AREF team is hosted by the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in The Gambia. We are looking for an experienced professional to join the AREF team based in The Gambia. The post holder will be managing AREF’s competitive awards to ensure that the very best, talented, emerging and young African health researchers receive our support in a transparent and impartial manner. S/he will ensure that the finances and capacity development programmes are on track by implementing a systematic monitoring and evaluation scheme throughout the award cycle. 

1. i) Essential requirements:

• Phd in biomedical sciences or equivalent.
• Significant experience in a biomedical sciences research and funding environment (e.g., charity, university, public sector).
• Previous experience in planning and delivering funding competitions, peer review, and grants management.
• Demonstrated good business-intelligence and analytical skills.
• Broad understanding of human health challenges in Africa.
• Experienced with grants management systems. 

1. ii) Desirable: 

• Experience of delivering research funding competitions in low- and middle-income countries.
• Formal training and experience in people, project, or process management.
• Experience of budget management. 

An attractive salary commensurate with the qualifications and experience required for the role will be paid. 

In addition, a generous overseas package is available including rent-free furnished accommodation, flights, displacement allowance for spouse and children, contribution to school fees and shipment of personal effects in line with displaced terms and conditions. 

The appointment will be for 3 years initially and subject to a probationary period of 6 months. 

To apply, please visit www.mrc.gm to complete an online application. 

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 31^st August 2023. 

Interview will be held mid-September 2023. 

MRCG at LSHTM is an equal opportunities employer and operates a strict no smoking policy. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.