Project Manager

Job Purpose

As the UK based Project Manager for the Wellcome/MRC funded Healthy Lives Malawi study and wider research project activities of the Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit (MEIRU), the post-holder will  provide comprehensive project and research management support to the MEIRU Director (Professor A Crampin) and other relevant University of Glasgow PI’s and partners for post-award management and administration of multiple complex Malawi and SSA collaborative projects. The post-holder will lead and deliver various elements of project development, including tracking, financial and budget management, collaboration agreement management, governance, and risk management.

Main duties and responsibilities

1.      To lead and deliver project reporting, financial management, project co-ordination, portfolio management (where appropriate) and project change processes and control, to inform both day-to-day operational decision making and short and long term project budgeting and strategy. Further, to manage project meetings including preparing agenda, minutes and following up action points to keep project on track.

2.      To provide specialised advice and support to Principal Investigators (PIs) on research support matters relating to University of Glasgow (UofG)/MEIRU collaborative projects, by conducting analysis and produce detailed reports in collaboration with PI and Co-I’s to Wellcome/MRC as funder, outlining progress of the projects, including milestone and deliverable reporting.

3.      To liaise and lead collaboration efforts between project members, Wellcome, external advisory boards, external partner organisations and third parties, with responsibility for building relationships with stakeholders both locally and internationally to support the achievement of University objectives, initiatives and changing priorities.

4.      To support MEIRU and other partner institutions as required to monitor budget expenditure with respect to Healthy Lives Malawi and other MEIRU/UofG collaborative projects and ensure post award financial adjustments are implemented according to funder guideline and partner project advance and actual payments are tracked and managed according to CA

5.      To provide post-award advice and support, including milestone tracking and planning in consultation with PI’s, Co-I’s and locally, Malawi based research project work package team leads.

6.      To provide pre-award support to PIs in Public Health when required, for UK and Global collaborative research projects, including  assisting with application development and bid writing support where appropriate.

7.      Undertake procurement of specialist project laboratory equipment and consumables as required, and arrange ambient, cold & frozen international shipments to Malawi.  This includes closely monitoring expenditure and preparing international country specific customs clearance documentation as appropriate, both locally when shipping from Malawi to UK and internationally when shipping from UK to Malawi. Ensure appropriate MSDS are adhered to with respect to items classified as hazardous.

8.      To carefully check and monitor all aspects of contractual documentation and regulatory approvals, including drafting and submitting amendments as required and to liaise with College Research Management Team regarding funder terms and conditions.

9.      Analysing Grant Agreements to monitor project timelines and deliverable and milestone dates across projects to ensure appropriate activity scheduling to meet contractual obligations, presenting results and putting forward recommendations through briefings, presentations, or written reports to inform decision making.

10.   To work with project teams to ensure that an accurate, transparent and complete record of project output is maintained within the University of Glasgow MEIRU database. To support the PI and the relevant partner institutional teams in the management of knowledge generated by the project, ensuring that publications and other output comply with Wellcome requirements.

11.   To support funder and other audits as required, ensuring adequate audit records are maintained, by introducing a process to monitor and maintain records of resource used.  To support the input of submissions to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), via knowledge exchange, impact and public engagement strategies and support and promote an understanding of Open Access and obtain open access rights for all possible publications.

12.   Produce MEIRU project updates and outputs for the Malawi and Glasgow Network Inter Collaborations (MaGNetIC)

13.   To liaise, communicate and build relationships with other groups within the School of Health and Wellbeing, across the University of Glasgow and other research institutes, locally, nationally and internationally to align research themes and promote national and international collaborations.  Disseminate MEIRU project outputs to meet UofG PE activity objectives and raise the profile of MEIRU/UofG collaborative projects.

14.   To work with the MVLS Research Management Team  and finance office  to ensure a seamless  support service is delivered for the MEIRU Directorensuring  projects are managed according to internal UofG policies and external funder guidelines to meet financial, governance and audit trail transparency objectives.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Qualifications 

Essential

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

Desirable

B1 Masters Degree in a science or health-related discipline

Skills

Essential

C1 An awareness of international collaboration mechanisms and specifically the research and innovation landscape in the UK including funding bodies, SFC-funded partners, and academic institutions

C2 Significant project management experience both short-term deadline driven and longer-term involving multiple conflicting deadlines and coordination across multiple organisational units

C3 Outstanding analytical and numerical skills to monitor budgets and produce meaningful interim financial management reports to inform and guide PI and project team decision making as and when required

C4 Knowledge and understanding of interrogating and maintaining databases, processing, analysing, and presenting data

C5 Ability to critique, evaluate and reflect to work to improve and develop ideas and projects

C6 Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels

C7 Ability to use social media effectively

C8 Ability to exercise initiative, proactively problem solve, multitask, prioritise work commitments and work independently but also as part of a team

C9 Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing environments

C10 Ability to interpret complex guidelines and prepare reports and budgets in line with the requirements set out and as requested by the PI

C11 Ability to assess risks and financial implications and take appropriate action to mitigate risk

C12 Ability to effectively liaise and communicate with O/S research partners and colleagues in a culturally sensitive and appropriate way, respectful of cultural beliefs, attitudes, values, traditions, and experiences

Experience

Essential

E1 Experience working across organisations, disciplines, and sectors, both nationally and internationally

E2 Experience of successfully overseeing complex projects to completion

E3 Experience organising and running events

E4 Experience in networking effectively and influence in a culturally appropriate and respectful way

E4 Experience in communicating in a respectful and culturally appropriate way with colleagues from all job levels within the research teams both locally and internationally

Desirable

F1 Experience of Medium/Intermediate level skill in website design and maintenance

F2 Experience working within cross-institutional networks

F3 Experience working with international collaborators or research networks

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £37,474 - £42,155 per annum pro rata.

This post is part-time (21 hours per week), and open ended with funding available until 31 January 2024 in the first instance.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.