Field Research Project Manager – Guinea – M/F At Alima

ALIMA PRESENTATION

THE ALIMA SPIRIT: ALIMA’s purpose is to save lives and care for the most vulnerable populations, without any discrimination based on identity, religion or politics, through actions based on proximity, innovation and alliance of organizations and individuals. We act with humanism, impartiality and respect for universal medical ethics . To access patients, we are committed to intervening in a neutral and independent manner.

CARE – INNOVATE – TOGETHER: Since its creation in 2009, ALIMA has treated more than 10 million patients, and today deploys its operations in 12 African countries. In 2022, we have developed more than 60 humanitarian medical response projects to meet the needs of populations affected by conflicts, epidemics and extreme poverty. All of these projects support national health authorities through nearly 511 health structures (including 47 hospitals and 464 health centers). We work in partnership, particularly with local NGOs, whenever possible in order to improve access and the transfer of skills which ensures the sustainability of our actions for our patients. Furthermore, to improve the humanitarian response, we are carrying out operational and clinical research projects, particularly to combat malnutrition and viral hemorrhagic fevers.

THE ALIMA TEAM: More than 2,000 people currently work for ALIMA. The field teams, closest to the patients, receive their support from the coordination teams generally based in the capital of the countries of intervention. They receive support from the 4 desk teams and the emergency and openings service team based at the operational headquarters in Dakar, Senegal. The Paris and New York teams are actively working on fundraising and representing ALIMA. The rest of the ALIMA Galaxy includes individuals and partner teams who work on behalf of other organizations such as the medical NGOs BEFEN, ALERTE Santé, SOS Médecins, KEOOGO, AMCP-SP, DEMTOU-Humanitaire, PAC research organizations -CI, Inserm, the Universities of Bordeaux or Copenhagen and many others.

OUR COUNTRIES OF INTERVENTION: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Chad, Ukraine.

OUR PROJECT THEMES: Malnutrition, Maternal Health, Primary Health, Pediatrics, Malaria, Epidemics (Ebola, Cholera, Measles, Coronavirus, Lassa Fever), Research, Hospitalization, Emergencies, Gender-Based Violence, vaccinations, mental health, etc.

POSITION LOCATION: The position is based in Guinea

CONTEXT OF THE MISSION

In Guinea, ALIMA is responsible for conducting the Covicompare research project:

Covicompare

Elderly people represent the population most at risk of contracting severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 disease. This is also the population most at risk of presenting a vaccine response diminished by immunosenescence. It is therefore essential to evaluate, in elderly subjects, the vaccination protection induced by current vaccination schedules.

The Covicompare project aims to evaluate the immunogenicity induced by COVID-19 vaccines, and to compare this vaccine response in “elderly subjects” compared to “young subjects”. It will take place simultaneously in several European and African countries (Mali and Guinea), to have a broader vision of as many vaccines as possible and populations of different origins. Each country participating in its own research protocol. The protocols of the different countries will be harmonized to allow standardized interpretation of analyzes separated by country, then pooled analyses. The expected benefit for society of evaluating vaccine effectiveness in elderly subjects is to subsequently be able to adapt the vaccination schedule recommended by the country, to effectively protect subjects at risk.

For the Covicompare Guinea protocol, the vaccine proposed for study at the time of project implementation is the Sinopharm vaccine. This is a vaccine in use by Guinea’s national program.

This is a phase II, non-randomized, open project which included 200 participants and will follow them over two years (End of monitoring in August 2024).

The project is implemented in Guinea by ALIMA, under the coordination of ALIMA’s CORAL platform based in France. Management of study data will be ensured by the PACCI/MEREVA program, a binational methodology and management center based in Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire and Bordeaux in France (INSERM Unit 1219).

PROTECTION OF BENEFICIARIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Level 3 : As part of their duties, the position holder will be required to visit programs and be in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Therefore, a criminal record check or presentation of a certificate of good conduct will be necessary. In situations where it is impossible to provide a criminal record or a certificate of good conduct, a sworn declaration will be requested.

FUNCTIONAL AND HIERARCHICAL LINKS

You report to the head of mission based in coordination;

You supervise the project team with the support of the mission manager;

You collaborate with coordination (medical, logistics and financial and human resources) and with partners.

MAIN MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

Under the supervision of the Head of Mission, you will serve as national project manager for the Covicompare study.

You are responsible for the smooth running of project activities. In close collaboration with the other members of the coordination team, you plan upcoming activities and define priorities for proper implementation of the defined strategy. You analyze the context, risks and related constraints in close collaboration with the Coordination in the field and with the support of the Coordination. You are responsible for supervising teams, monitoring programmatic indicators and donor contractual indicators and monitoring project expenses – with the support of coordination, and communication with governmental and non-governmental actors in relation to the project. You will prepare the end of activities and the closure of the project on the site in October 2024.

1.Definition and strategic planning

2.Program implementation

a) Project management and monitoring

b) Representation

c) Management of material and financial resources

d) Data analysis and reporting

e) Supervision and animation of teams

f) Security analysis and management

g) Closure of the project and Closure of the Research site:

– At Admin/HR/Finance level:

– At the logistical level

3.Implementation of preventive measures against abuse of power, gender-based and sexual violence

EXPERIENCES / TRAINING OF THE CANDIDATE

Training

You hold a higher education diploma, Master’s level in Public Health (Epidemiology or International Health) and/or additional training in clinical research (DU for example).

You have at least 5 years of professional experience in clinical research. You have good experience in care; You have experience in a developing country and/or field experience. You have prior experience in managing multicultural teams. You have a great ability to lead a team.

LANGUAGES

Excellent written and oral expression in French and English

TERMS

• Duration and type of contract : 7-month renewable fixed-term contract under French law
• Taking position : ASAP
• Salary : According to ALIMA salary scale + valuation of experience + Per Diem

ALIMA supports:

• Travel costs between the expatriate’s country of origin and the mission location
• Accommodation costs
• Medical coverage from the first day of contract to one month after the date of departure from the country of mission
• Mission costs for the employee and his dependents
• Evacuation for the employee and his dependents