Job Description

Zvitambo is an internationally recognized multidisciplinary public health research institute with the mission of improving maternal and child health in Zimbabwe, and to apply its findings to improve health globally. Zvitambo conducts research and provides technical support and education to reduce the burden of malnutrition and infectious diseases. Zvitambo is now seeking an enthusiastic and experienced individual to fill the position of Trial Medical Officer to support a clinical trial in Harare called Co-SAM. This clinical trial is looking to improve the outcomes of severely malnourished children with medical complications who require hospitalization.

The Co-SAM trial will be conducted at Zvitambo in 3 hospitals: Parirenyatwa Hospital, Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Chitungwiza General Hospital. It is sponsored by Queen Mary University of London and funded by the National Institute of Health Research, UK (NIHR).

Full title of the trial: An adaptive multi-arm trial to improve clinical outcomes among children recovering from complicated severe acute malnutrition.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Co-SAM Trial Medical Officer is responsible for providing medical care to research participants in the Co-SAM trial and carrying out other duties that will enable successful implementation of the research trial in a timely manner following Good Clinical Practice principles.
• (S)he will work closely with the Principal Investigator and Trial Manager to ensure that a high standard of clinical care is provided to the study participants.
• Principal duties of the Trial Medical Officer:
o assesses study participant eligibility to enter the trial;
o provides clinical care to study participants and conducts referrals as appropriate following study SOPs;
o prescribes, and where appropriate, administers study IMP and other concomitant medication;
o performs specimen collection on study participants as required.
o collects data as required by the protocol, completes source documents and CRFs and resolves queries;
o ensures compliance with the study protocol by providing thorough review and documentation at each subject study visit;
o reports all adverse events and completes adverse event forms for submission to local ethical review boards and the trial sponsor;
o prepares progress reports to regulatory bodies (MRCZ and MCAZ)
o participates in study-related training sessions and regular meetings;
o supports maintenance of proper documentation on all study participants;
o performs other duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator.

Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications/ Essential criteria:
• Medical degree
• Current practicing certificate
• Registered with MDPCZ
• At least five years’ experience in a clinical setting;
• Previous experience on a clinical trial;
• Computer competency including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Excellent organisational skills;
• Strong motivational skills;
• Ability to work to strict deadlines;
• Fluency in Shona and English;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Clean class 4 driver’s licence;
• A current certificate in Good Clinical Practice and Ethics is required by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe. Certificates can be obtained at a https://gcp.nidatraining.org/

Desirable:
• Experience in managing children with severe acute malnutrition;
• Post graduate diploma (or higher) in public health.

How to Apply

Please email your application to [email protected] with the subject: Application for Co-SAM Trial Medical Officer. Please include a cover letter, CV, your practicing certificate, and other supporting documents; it is preferable if this can be combined as one PDF document.

The closing date for applications is 15 December 2023. This post will start in the first quarter of 2024. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Consider your application unsuccessful if not contacted within eight (8) weeks after the closing date of the advert. Any form of lobbying at any stage will lead to automatic disqualification.

By submitting your personal information, you consent to Zvitambo holding and using it in accordance with its recruitment policy and procedure. Zvitambo reserves the right to verify documents attached with the relevant awarding institutions to authenticate their validity.

Zvitambo is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse work force and does not ask for money at any stage of recruitment.