The Senior Administrative Officer will lead and coordinate administrative functions including office management, procurement, logistics, and compliance for research projects in Kisumu. The role involves ensuring operational excellence and accountability across multiple sites, including Kisumu and Siaya, while managing resources, staff, and donor-funded programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Compliance & Governance: Ensure compliance with KEMRI policies, NACOSTI, SERU/IRB approvals, KPPB, and international research ethics standards. Oversee contracts, sub-awards, MTAs, DTAs, and data protection compliance across projects.
- Audit & Risk Management: Support internal and external audits, risk management, and governance frameworks to ensure accountability and transparency.
- Financial & Grant Management: Lead the preparation, monitoring, and reporting of project budgets in coordination with finance teams. Oversee financial tracking, expenditure reviews, donor reporting, and cost recovery for various funders including USG, Gates Foundation, CDC, UNC, Emory, and GWU.
- Operations & Logistics: Oversee procurement processes, workshop logistics, and field activity resources ensuring cost-effectiveness. Monitor the use, maintenance, and accountability of project assets and infrastructure readiness at multiple sites.
- Human Resources: Oversee staff recruitment, contracts, payroll, and performance management. Ensure research staff receive mandatory training in GCP, biosafety, and ethics. Provide mentorship and career development for junior researchers and administrative staff.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with the Ministry of Health (MoH), County Health Departments, and regulatory bodies. Strengthen collaborations with international partners and support community engagement frameworks like Community Advisory Boards (CABs).
- Monitoring & Performance: Establish systems to track project performance, milestones, and deliverables. Ensure compliance with data security, integrity, and sharing requirements. Support the development of research databases and repositories.
Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounts, Project Management, Public Health, Human Resource Management, or a related field (Mandatory). A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
- Experience: At least 4 years of work experience, with at least two (2) years specifically in the management of research projects or donor-funded programs.
- Technical Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of research governance, compliance, and donor regulations. Proven ability to manage multi-site clinical trials, surveillance studies, or large-scale research programs.
- Software Proficiency: Proficiency in MS Office, grants management systems, and research databases.
- Skills: Strong leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, basic accounting, excellent communication, and report writing skills.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) e-recruitment portal at erecruitment.kemri.go.ke. Alternatively, candidates can follow the application link provided: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1185204.
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