Statistician (Wits RHI)

Main purpose of the job:

• To lead analysis of climate and health data using traditional biostatistics and data science methods within the HE2AT Center, in line with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa program (DS-I Africa), and the EU HIGH Horizons project
• These projects include leading research groups across Africa, and universities in the EU, UK, and USA
• These projects, among the largest climate change and health projects in Africa, will provide the evidence needed to mount a response to climate change in Africa
• We document the health impacts of climate change on pregnant women and children across Africa, and the effectiveness of interventions to reduce these impacts

Location:

• 22 Esselen Street, Hillbrow, Johannesburg

Key performance areas:

Data analysis planning and implementation

• Write data analysis plans for grant proposals and study protocols
• Oversee data management staff
• Provide support for the project team in planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities, including tracking tools
• In conjunction with the Scientific Lead and project team, oversee the preparation of data for analysis of health outcomes, and environmental exposures across Africa
• Write progress reports of data analysis for stakeholders including networks and funders
• Participate in data science analyses with other partners and external stakeholders
• Assist with coordinating inputs of partners on data analysis plans in grant applications
• Stay abreast with relevant data analysis advances and collaborate closely with other investigators on related studies

Research Dissemination

• Publish scientific publications
• Compile conference presentations
• Supervise PhD students, where relevant

Project Leadership

• Supervise and manage the data and statistical analysis team to ensure optimal employee engagement
• Identify, supervise and provide clear direction to Consultants supporting the analysis activities
• Generate ideas for data analyses and novel approaches to investigating the data
• Offer thought leadership on policy implications and future research needs based on emergent research findings
• Participate in discussions regarding the future direction of the research within Climate Change and Health at Wits RHI
• Provide thought leadership on how to best structure research activities in the team and amongst partners

Staff Management

• Supervise and manage the data and statistical analysis team to ensure optimal employee engagement
• Identify, supervise and provide clear direction to consultants supporting the analysis activities
• Perform and facilitate coaching sessions with the team to develop their skills in statistical analysis
• Coach and train team members to ensure the acquisition of knowledge and skills required by the organization
• Promote harmony, teamwork, and sharing of information

Required minimum education and training:

• PhD in Biostatistics or Data Science
• Meets criteria for an Associate Professor position at Wits University

Required minimum work experience:

• Minimum 10 years ‘experience with statistical analysis
• Time series analysis (advantageous)
• Highly experienced in implementing independent data analysis projects and running them to completion
• Experience leading teams of junior to mid-level statisticians
• Experienced working in an environment that involves the application of public health principles

Desirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:

• Meets criteria for an Associate Professor position at Wits University
• Good writing and data visualization skills
• Experience in time series analysis advantageous
• Ability and experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong experience with statistical packages e.g. SAS or Stata, R, Python, Stata programming skill
• Experience with coordination of data management teams
• Experience in managing sensitive data (e.g. according to the POPI act)
• Previous experience in statistical analysis of large health projects would be of added value
• Experience working with large and complex datasets (e.g., remote sensing, health data, climate model data)

TO APPLY:

• Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration on Ditto Hire (our application tracking system) to enable and protect you as a candidate to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions. This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL. However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market.
• AJ Personnel is fully POPIA Compliant.
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
• The closing date for all applications: 05 August 2022.
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.

Please note:

• Our Client, WHC - RHI, maintains mandatory Covid-19 requirements, and as such only Covid-19 vaccinated incumbents will be considered for positions.
• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.