Project Supervisor Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS)

With funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), URCS will partner with Malaria Consortium, Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), Erasmus University, and the Netherlands Red Cross – 510 to implement a 4-year Research Project “FORECAST – Forecasting Outbreak Risks from Extreme Climate with Active Surveillance Technology” that aims at improving early warning and control of mosquito-borne disease outbreaks associated by extreme weather in Uganda. The two major outputs of the study include: (a) an epidemic risk mapping system based on an impact-based forecast (IBF) platform; and (b) an improved outbreak preparedness and response plan with guidance on specific actions based on various risk scenarios produced by the IBF platform.
The main purpose of this position is, in collaboration with the consortium members, supervise the collection, review and analysis of data on malaria and extreme weather events; lead the development of risk mapping systems and development of an outbreak preparedness and response plan.

The Project Supervisor will report directly to the Director Health with a secondary reporting line to the Director Operations.
S/He will reinforce the capacity within the project and operations department to conduct malaria-related and other key research. S/He will serve as a member of the URCS’ Research team, support design, implementation, delivery and dissemination of research outputs. S/he will also support resource mobilization in the focus areas of URCS work through proposal writing and other initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
S.NO KEY RESULT AREAS PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Strategic Planning and Management
• Lead in the design and roll out of relevant research documents and tools including protocols, guidelines, data collection tools and ensure efficient data collection, correlation, analysis, interpretation, timely reporting and dissemination of information to all stakeholders;
• Lead and supervise the implementation of all project activities while ensuring compliance to URCS, donor and Government of Uganda policies, procedures and guidelines

Keep up to date with developments in public policy, legislation, best practice, competitor activity and relevant new initiatives in malaria and other URCS intervention areas
• Support the operations team in developing research strategy, a robust operating framework for commissioning and managing the URCS’ research unit.

Prepare, manage and monitor the project budget by developing monthly budget monitoring framework, including monthly Budget Variance Analysis (BVA) as well as following up to ensure that required service outputs are delivered within approved budget allocations and provide value for money
• Ensure Safe custody of and efficient use of the National Society’s resources & assets assigned to the project staff

Conduct Project (FORECAST) Research and other URCS intervention themes research
• Research to track policy developments and guide URCS’ response to emerging issues
• Support design and continuous quality improvement of research in URCS.

Scope, develop and deliver research programmes, including developing timelines; planning and monitoring progress and budgets; coordinating inputs from across the team and the wider organization; and identifying and highlighting risks and potential mitigations.
• Lead and supervise desk-based reviews of past weather events in different parts of Uganda while doing a quality check on the data.
• Lead in and supervise the Research Officer in analysis of retrospective data to assess associations between malaria and extreme weather events
• Lead in and supervise the Research Officer in analysis of retrospective data to assess associations between malaria and extreme weather events
• Facilitate and Supervise the Collection of prospective malaria incidence data from selected health facilities or surveillance sites for use in outbreak risk mapping
• Engage communities in research activities to ensure their needs are addressed, their views are incorporated and the outputs are adopted and used
• Lead the development of an outbreak preparedness and response plan

Coordination, Advocacy and Representation
• Organizing and participating in coordination meetings with relevant stakeholders, nationally and locally
• Attend relevant project meetings, technical working groups and where necessary prepare and make presentations on the project as may be required.
• Attend other relevant events, such as seminars, workshops, conferences etc at local and national level as may be required.
• Coordinating and participating in advocacy events at national and local level in close collaboration with local partners
• Advocate for URCS’ research ideas with donors and humanitarian stakeholders, in cluster meetings, workshops, conferences and in other relevant fora.

Performance management and program quality
• Support project officer/s to ensure smooth implementation of the project activities within schedule and budgets, including keeping track of appointments, work plans, and tasks that need to be accomplished.
• Conducting capacity development and offering support to project staff and volunteers in relevant themes of the research projects.
• Organizing and facilitating workshops to ensure that lessons learnt and good practices are compiled and utilized to improve future planning, programming and implementation.
• Keeping project management team and stakeholders informed about the progress at every project milestone

Resource Mobilization and Partnerships
• Contribute to URCS humanitarian research agenda including identifying new research ideas and participating in developing research proposals among others
• Collaborate with URCS’ partner academic institutions to conduct and publish research

People Management
• Establish priorities and set performance targets for supervisees.
• Appraise staff periodically as per the established schedules of URCS
• Ensure provision of necessary guidance, support, supervision, feedback and other management functions to supervisees in the areas of their responsibility.
• Ensure good order and discipline of staff under his/her overall supervision

Documentation Dissemination and
• Work with the communication team to ensure high quality internal and external communications around research projects.
• Maintain, and where necessary develop standard briefing materials for programme areas (including presentation materials) to support external communications

Ensure project team comply with General Data Protection Regulations and research ethical guidelines
• Develop and maintain an up to date record/database of URCS research work
• Write publications for the URCS website, including fact sheets, issue briefs, data briefs, infographics, and reports, and draft components of abstracts and manuscripts
• Develop presentations summarizing policy issues from original URCS research.
• Work with the communications team to build an external-facing presence for URCS research work both for emergency response and development aspects.
• Present URCS work in strategic meetings and conferences.

Performance Monitoring, Evaluation Reporting (PMER) & Supervise the collection, manage and effectively process projects’ data
• Prepare and submit high quality periodic reports in a timely manner
• Closely work with PMER Manager to support PMER related requirements for projects guided by established framework and tools

Integration of Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
• Understand and comply with all aspects of URCS PSEA Policy.
• Ensure that all stakeholders involved with URCS research work understand and comply with PSEA policy
• Create an organizational culture and foster a working environment which is free from and prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and supports the implementation of this policy.
• Take immediate and appropriate action of reporting upon receipt of any report or complaint about SEA allegations, concerns or suspicions or retaliation related to SEA, as stated in the present policy
• Report SEA incidents as per reporting mechanisms established in 8.4 of the URCS PSEA Policy

Other duties
• Support capacity building for staff at national and branch level in research
• Promote URCS visibility and support dissemination efforts to recruit members and volunteers.
• Participate in any other official activities within URCS or externally as may be assigned by the supervisors.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Minimum qualifications, working experience and competencies:
Education qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Heath, Health Services Research or a related field from an approved, recognized and reputable university is required.
• Postgraduate qualification with research aspect, projects management is an added advantage.

Working experience
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience as a public health research professional within a humanitarian or development-oriented research/policy organization, a government agency, think-tank, foundation, or consulting firm; two (2) of the years with supervisory responsibilities in the relevant field
• Demonstrated ability to understand and synthesize humanitarian services & policy issues, manage projects from start to finish, produce written analytic products, and show an affinity for working with data and statistics.

Core competencies
• Negotiation and conflict management
• Innovation and creatively
• Stakeholder management
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Communication
• Technology awareness
• Policy research and development
• Change capability and adaptability
• Manage resources
• Empowering and building trust.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Research skills
• Excellent command of English language, both written and spoken.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills: collegial, energetic, flexible, motivated, and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, consultants, and others who contribute to program development and management.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population, establish and maintain working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Advanced computer skills (Word, Excel, Power point, access, data analysis software, etc.)
• Ability to work self-motivated and independently and as member of a team
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), presentation and listening skills for multiple and diverse audiences.
• Ability to learn, understand and maintain current best practices in fundraising
• Respect for cross-cultural perspectives and experiences
• Commitment to promoting and encouraging generosity
• Maintains confidentiality and protects sensitive information in accordance with organizational standards
• Excellent data analysis capabilities
• Superb project management and organizational skills, including attention to detail and the ability to multi-task.
• Can work independently and as part of a team, and welcomes opportunities to work across diverse cultures.
• Demonstrated maturity and seasoned judgment. Ability to make decisions and justify recommendations.