Project Manager, Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA)
16-Oct-2024
Project Manager, Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA)
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
67043BR
Job Summary
The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies (HCPDS) is a university-wide initiative dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused primarily on the quantitative social science of population change, socioeconomic development, and public health. Our goal is to produce population-based evidence that will better inform policies needed to create healthy and resilient societies.
The HCPDS is seeking a full-time, experienced Project Manager (PM) to serve on its NIH-funded study, Health and Aging in Africa: Longitudinal Studies in South Africa (HAALSA). HAALSA began as a community-based longitudinal cohort study nested within the heath and socio-demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in Agincourt, South Africa. HAALSA has recently been renewed for the next 5-year period, which will include continuation of the community cohort study as well as the launch of a nationally representative survey in South Africa. The goal of this research project is to explore aging in South Africa, with focal areas in cognitive health, cardiometabolic disease, HIV and HIV treatment, public policies, social determinants of health, and health inequalities. Research focuses on exploring the interrelationships between: Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias; physical and cognitive functioning; lifestyle risk factors; household income & expenditure; depression and mental health; social networks and family composition; HIV infection; and cardiometabolic disease. HAALSA is currently collecting a fourth wave of data on the community cohort, and the team is concurrently preparing to collect the next wave of dementia-specific data (2025), followed the launch the nationally representative survey (2026).
The PM will report to the project director and will work closely with her to strategize and implement effective systems for the day-to-day administration, management, planning, and execution of HAALSA deliverables. The PM will be involved in most aspects of the project, including preparing for the next two critical years of data collection; liaising with the HCPDS finance and grants manager; overseeing human subjects and IRB processes; and collaborating with the HCPDS communication manager on the project's website, branding, and research dissemination. The PM will serve as team lead to one fulltime research assistant who handles meeting logistics, travel coordination, and publication tracking, amongst other tasks.
This is a full-time appointment starting in mid-late fall 2024. This position has a one year term limit with a strong possibility of renewal.
This is a hybrid role. The PM will be required to be onsite 2 days/week in Cambridge, MA. Specific days and schedule will be determined in consultation with the HAALSA project director.
Candidates are asked to visit the project and HCPDS websites for more information.
https://haalsi.org/
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/population-development/
The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies participates in the University’s Green Office Program and is committed to creating a more sustainable, healthy workplace. Our vision is rooted in our shared responsibility to build and operate a campus that contributes to the well-being of every member of our community—and ultimately to the health of the planet. For more information, see the https://green.harvard.edu/campaign/our-plan
Position Description
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Work closely with the HAALSA project director to define and execute the study deliverables, including developing project timelines/deadlines and creating execution strategies. Engage, partner, and collaborate with HAALSA colleagues to proactively identify opportunities to leverage systems to improve the effectiveness of our research and the impact of our team’s work.
- Establish and manage trusted, cooperative relationships with cross-functional partners from around the globe.
- Works closely with leadership to develop and manage the timeline and subsequent responsibilities around survey launches including the field staff training. Lead the coordination of complex logistics with overseas collaborators, and troubleshoot operational challenges as needed.
- Liaise on a regular basis with the associate director of finance and the senior grants manager to track finances and prepare progress/annual reports.
- Manage and develop new strategies for enhancing project-related communications, facilitating collaboration between the team members, research partners, and external collaborators.
- Meet regularly with the HCPDS senior communications coordinator to build and update content for the project websites. The PM will also serve as the Harvard team point person for the complex rebranding of HAALSA that is being developed by leadership.
- Oversee the tracking and revising of IRB submissions and approvals, working closely with the HCPDS Data Compliance Specialist to ensure timely processing.
- Prepare comprehensive reports, presentations, and research materials for both internal and external stakeholders, showcasing project progress and findings.
- Serve as team lead for the HAALSA research assistant II who provides administrative support such as organizing meetings and taking notes, making travel arrangements, and tracking publications. Delegate tasks to the RA II and conduct training/coaching as needed.
- Perform other functions as required to support the achievement of overall project goals and timelines
PLEASE NOTE: Travel to South Africa once per year for a 2 week durations may be requested.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required
- 3+ years of relevant work experience required
Additional Qualifications and Skills
The following job-specific skills and competencies are preferred:
- Master’s degree in public health, medical, or health science related field strongly preferred
- Project management experience involving data collection and/or complex research studies at a higher education institution or research center
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Knowledge of, interest in and/or experience with long-term/longitudinal research studies
- Supervisory or team lead experience
- International work/travel experience
- Experience in working with complex longitudinal data sets such as HRS, SHARE, and related international sister studies or experience working on NIH studies.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong and positive interpersonal skills and leadership qualities
- Solid team building and cultural awareness, and demonstrated experience with trust building, negotiation, conflict management and coaching
- Comfort in interacting with individuals at all levels internal and external to Harvard
- Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary groups of colleagues
- Experience managing multiple responsibilities at various stages and work independently with occasional guidance from supervisor
- Strong organization and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality results on time and to manage competing priorities
- Strong software and computer skills
- Experience working with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a research sponsor (highly desirable)
- Experience with a team-based communication platform like Slack is preferred
- Awareness of and aptitude to appropriately and effectively understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based difference within group environments
- Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Skills related to creating and supporting an environment that allows for inclusion, effective intercultural engagement, and personal humility and authenticity
Additional Information
Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!
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- The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
- Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
- This position has a 90 day orientation and review period. The O&R period will be waived for any internal Harvard employee transfers.
The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Work Format Details
This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
- Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
- Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
- Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
- Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
- Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
- Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
- Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
- Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Job Function
General Administration
Department Office Location
USA - MA - Boston
Job Code
405012 Admin Professional (N)
Work Format
Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)
Sub-Unit
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Salary Grade
056
Department
Harvard Center for Population and Developmnent Studies
Union
55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers
Time Status
Full-time
Pre-Employment Screening
Criminal, Education, Identity
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
At the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, we believe that diversity is integral to the Harvard experience and our mission of improving public health education, research and policy. Diversity of cultural backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and ways of understanding the world enriches our community and enables us to best meet the public health needs of the United States and the world. Ongoing learning and development related to diversity allows for both individual and institutional growth, and is necessary to foster and sustain a culture of inclusion. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for learning, living, and working at the Harvard Chan School. We maintain an unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging as core to our institutional values and to actively counter, minimize, and address racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, gender bias, and all forms of discrimination.
Learn more about the School’s mission, objectives, and core values, our Principles of Citizenship, and our diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
