Clinical Officer (AFRICOS) , Mbeya

Locally known as the Walter Reed Southern Highlands AIDS Program, the Henry Jackson Foundation Medical Research International (HJFMRI) is an international non-governmental organization working in several countries conducting research studies and providing care and treatment to people affected by HIV/AIDS.  HJFMRI is funded by the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief PEPFAR.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHSW), HJFMRI has been leading a comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and treatment program in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania since 2004 with support from the President’s Emergency Plans for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  The program is based within the Mbeya Referral Hospital and has since extended to more than 100 health facilities in Mbeya, Rukwa and Ruvuma regions, which collectively represent a catchment area of about 6 million people.  Mbeya region is one of high prevalence regions in Tanzania and expansion of HIV care and treatment programs is critical.

Walter Reed Program is seeking qualified candidate to fill the positions below.  Cover letters and resumes should be sent to the Human Resources Manager, P.O. Box 6396, Mbeya or e-mailed to;  recruitment@wrp-t.org   NOTE:  to be considered, applicants must put the TITLE OF THE JOB in the SUBJECT LINE. Deadline for submission of the application is October 20th, 2014. Those who do not meet the minimum requirements as detailed below should not submit applications.
Job Description

Position: AFRICOS Clinical Officer
Reports to: Research Director
Location: Mbeya

Position Overview:

The Walter Reed Program/Henry Jackson Foundation Medical Research International (WRP/HJFMRI) together with the NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Center (MMRC); the University of Munich and the Mbeya Referral Hospital (MRH), aim to improve treatment and care of HIV infected patients through clinical research tightly integrated into the routine implementation of the national ART Program. Projects conducted in the collaborative setting focus on treatment experienced HIV infected patients, the management of HIV associated diseases such as Cervical Carcinoma and Tuberculosis and program evaluation of the PEPFAR funded ART program in the southern highlands of Tanzania, integrating research activities into the routine patient care, capacity building and infrastructure development. In this context, the collaboration aims to implement the AFRICOS Study, a cohort study following up to 500 HIV positive patients on Care at MRH and 100 HIV negative participants over a long period of time and as such is seeking to fill the position of a Clinical Officer.

The candidate will work under the supervision of the AFRICOS Study Clinician to ensure that clients who are enrolled in AFRICOS are examined and managed clinically during and after the enrollment process. This will include but not limited to ensuring that their vital signs are taken and that they are consented properly before they are enrolled in the study. The person will work closely with Walter Reed Program (WRP), Mbeya Referral Hospital (MRH) and Mbeya Medical Research Centre (MMRC) clinicians and Research Liaison Officer who are involved in the study. S/he will be required to work closely with the Laboratory in charges of WRP, MRH and MMRC to ensure that patient samples are collected appropriately and sent to the testing labs in the required time.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with AFRICOS Study Physician and the AFRICOS Team to ensure that clinical research and related activities of AFRICOS are performed in accordance with federal regulations, partners and sponsoring agency policies and Good Clinical Practice and principles of ethical research and other requirements that apply.
• Assists in the development of AFRICOS study document materials and tools necessary to implement and document all phases of the AFRICOS Study, including but not limited to budgets, protocols amendments, training materials, checklists, study logs and IRB submission.
• Support, coordinate and facilitate all phases of study implementation including but not limited to patient selection, recruitment and Informed Consent Process, Patient enrollment and follow up, clinical management and reporting of Adverse Events and Serious Adverse Events, management of study specific training and study close out;
• Other Clinical duties as assigned by the Study P.I or designee.

Qualifications:
The suitable candidate should have:
• Hold a minimum of Diploma/Higher Diploma in Clinical Medicine.
• Have at least three years of experience in Clinical Research, including participant enrolment in clinical studies.
• Have documented Ethical and GCP training including CITI.
• The person should have experience and conversant with Codes of Ethics of Clinical Research.
• Further formal training in HIV (e.g. counseling, treatment literacy, PMTCT, PITC) is an added advantage.
• Mastery of Spoken and written English is mandatory.
Personal Skills:
• Good computer skills.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Good coordination skills and ability to work in a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English
• High degree of commitment
• Results oriented i.e. with the ability to meet deadlines with competing priorities.
• Willing to work independently in a multidisciplinary team.