CENTRE FOR TROPICAL MEDICINE NUFFIELD DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL MEDICINE

Transcription

1 CENTRE FOR TROPICAL MEDICINE NUFFIELD DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL MEDICINE Job Description Job Title: Chief Operating Officer Thailand/Laos Major Overseas Programme _ Salary Grade: Grade will be dependent on qualifications and experience, and the duties will be adjusted accordingly University Grade 9: 42,563-49,342 per annum or University Grade 10: 49,342-57,201 per annum plus an attractive package of additional benefits Location: Responsible to: Tenure: Bangkok, Laos and other sites linked with the Wellcome Trust - Mahidol University - Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Programme. Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit - Home Nick Day, Director of the Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) and Wellcome Trust - Mahidol University - Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Programme. Three years in the first instance Background The Wellcome Trust - Mahidol University - Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Programme (the Programme) aims to conduct research to improve the health and reduce the infectious diseases burden of rural communities in Asia and elsewhere in the developing world. We develop effective and practical means of diagnosing, treating and preventing malaria and other neglected diseases such as rickettsial disease, meliodosis, influenza and leptospirosis. The Programme has a research and administrative hub within the Faculty of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol University in Bangkok - Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) - where there is a strong partnership between Mahidol University & the University of Oxford. The Programme has two major sites beyond Bangkok; Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (MORU- SMRU) based in Mae Sot on the Thailand Myanmar border, and the Laos Collaboration based in Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane (LOMWRU). There are a number of other study sites and collaborations across Thailand, and in other parts of the developing world including Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, and The Gambia.

2 The Programme was established in 1979 and is supported with significant funding from the Wellcome Trust, though we also receive funding from other trusts and foundations, governments, and multi-lateral donors. The current grant portfolio is approximately 45million. We receive administrational support from the University of Oxford and have a UK base in the Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine (CCVTM) within the Nuffield Department of Medicine (NDM). Together with the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) a sister research Programme based in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam -The Thailand/Laos Programme forms an Asian wide Research Network. Responsibilities and duties of the post-holder Research administration and governance have grown increasingly complex over the last few years and during the same period the Programme has embarked on a period of expansion that now sees an annual expenditure of around 6-7million per year. This all places additional administrational demands on Programme staff and structures. Staff numbers have also increased rapidly and the Programme currently employs over 300 staff in Thailand and Laos as well as other countries in the region. The impressive growth in research capacity and expertise now needs to be matched by a professional operational structure as a matter of priority. The new post of Chief Operating Officer has been created to meet the challenge of this expansion, by ensuring that the operations and research support activities of the Programme are financially sound, robust, and efficient and meet modern business standards. The scientific research is supported by the following key groups: Operational Finance Grants Management Fund Raising Administration Estates and maintenance Procurement (logistics and purchasing) Human Resources IT support Project Management Scientific Clinical Trials Support Group Laboratory Management QA/QC The post holder will be responsible for the operation and strategic leadership of the above departments with the exception of the Clinical Trials Support Group and the Laboratory Management Department. These specialist scientific departments will report directly to the Programme Director and Deputy Directors, but will report to the post-holder with respect to their budgets and general operational management. The post-holder will sit on the Programmes Management Committee, the Finance Committee and the Scientific Review Committee. The post holder will contribute to the Programmes overarching scientific strategy and ensure that the support departments are equipped to deliver against this strategy in the future. The post-holder will report to the Programme Director (currently Professor Nick Day) and have the following key responsibilities:

3 To support the Director in the day-to-day activities of the Programme including strategy and policy development. To identify and respond to key governance issues, particularly those raised by external stakeholders. To work closely with the Chief Financial Officer and Unit Manager in support of developing the Programme s business processes. To ensure the efficient operation of the service Departments (as above) that support the scientific programmes. The post holder will be based in Bangkok, but will visit SMRU and LOMWRU at least biannually. Key Duties Responsible for the efficient operation of the Programme s services in support of research, providing strategic leadership and operational management of the professional and administrative support services and resources that underpin this. Develop service level agreements for each service department in consultation with support staff and users to define the levels of service that should be provided with the resources available to support current and future scientific activities. Become secretary for the Programme s Scientific Review Committee and contribute to decisions on resource allocation and strategic changes relating to the Programme s overarching activities. Chair the group made up of the Heads of each service department that will inform, and respond to, changes in the Programme s overarching strategy and the changing needs of the scientific programme. Direct management responsibility for the co-ordination of effective business processes across the Programme, ensuring that these are regularly reviewed to support the Programme s mission. Ensure that all aspects of the Programme s support functions provide high quality, professional and cost effective services that enhance the performance and efficiency of the Programme s work. Ensure effective implementation of change management processes. In conjunction with the Director and working with other senior staff, produce the annual budget and five year plan, and prepare reports for the Wellcome Trust, the University of Oxford, Mahidol University and other stakeholders. Sit on the Finance Committee and maintain an oversight of income, expenditure, budget planning to ensure research activities are kept within budget. Responsible for the provision of management information, analysis, reports and financial papers to support the Directors and other internal and external stakeholders in achieving and reporting on the Programme s financial objectives. To include reports to the Wellcome Trust, University of Oxford and Mahidol University.

4 Review management and administrative systems and infrastructure so that they fully support the achievement of Programmes objectives and goals, in collaboration with the Director and other stakeholders. Ensure that the Programme s operational structures have the flexibility to meet the requirements of a range of research sponsors and where a sponsor s requirements are not met by current systems, lead discussions with the sponsor to arrive at a reasonable alternative. Responsible for the operational and financial management of a diverse grant portfolio, ensuring that different sponsor requirements are met and all grant costs are reimbursed. With respect to grants awarded via Oxford, report to the Administrator of Tropical Medicine in Oxford on the financial management of these grants. Support the Senior Research Administrator and Fundraiser in grant applications and funding to ensure that there is no funding gap preventing the Programme meeting its scientific objectives. Liaise with the Wellcome Trust on administrative and governance issues pertaining to the Programme. Liaise with Oxford University, particularly the NDM Head of Administration (currently Darren Nash) and the Tropical Medicine Business Manager, on operational and administrative aspects related to the Programme. Carry out any other duties as required by the Director. Person Specification Essential Criteria: Educated to degree level or equivalent. Over 2 years experience in leading complex international project management. Proven experience of leading and managing a multidisciplinary team, particularly through organisational growth, with the ability to engage and motivate staff to fulfil their potential. Excellent diplomacy skills. The ability to engage and interact productively with stakeholders in Thailand, Laos and other collaborative sites in Asia and Africa, To engage and influence senior staff within the Programme to achieve buy-in across the organisation for changes to operational structures and processes. Experience of developing and implementing effective processes and systems to support the activities of a research organisation in an international environment, preferably in Asia. Knowledge of the operational requirements placed on organisations whose income derives from external grants with variable HR/accounting requirements and costing models. Evidence of successful leadership including experience of planning and management including resource management. Understanding of risk management.

5 A high level of strategic and creative thinking with the ability to manage complex situations, competing operational priorities and a significant level of ambiguity. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to produce reports and draft complex correspondence. Proven ability to develop financial strategies and leading a finance function within a complex organisation, including innovative finance reporting. The ability to travel within Asia. Desirable Criteria: Postgraduate qualification in the area of health, or related discipline and/or a management related subject. Experience of conducting academic research Application Process Completed applications should be sent to the Senior Personnel Officer, Centre for Clinical Vaccinology &Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Old Road, Oxford OX3 7LJ or to tropical-personnel@ndm.ox.ac.uk. Please quote the reference B ND The closing date for applications is Tuesday 27 July 2010.