Medical Officer NGO Jobs – MRC Uganda

Job Title:   Medical Officer   

Organisation: MRC Uganda

Duty Station: Entebbe, Uganda

About Organisation:

The Medical Research Council (MRC UK) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence with dominant research themes in the areas of HIV and emerging infections, vaccines and immunity, and chronic diseases and cancer. Through a multidisciplinary approach, intersecting basic science, epidemiological research, social-behavioural research and the conduct of new intervention evaluation studies, the Unit contributes knowledge on changing epidemics and diseases, the evaluation of innovative health care options, treatment and prevention and the development of health policy and practice in Africa and worldwide. Following the signing of strategic transfer agreements between the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Medical Research Council (MRC UK), the Unit formally joined LSHTM on 1st February 2018. The exciting new partnership will boost research capacity into current and emerging health issues in Africa and throughout the world. The Unit is based at the UVRI Entebbe campus with established outposts in Kalungu, Masaka, Wakiso and Kampala Districts.

Job Summary: The position holder will manage the operational delivery of the Mental Health Data Prize (Investigating predictors of depression treatment outcomes and causal mechanisms of group support psychotherapy effects on depression among persons living with HIV: A secondary data analysis of the SEEK-GSP trial) Project, ensuring all activities ranging from data analysis to training portal development are implemented on time, within scope and budget; and,

The Medical Officer will oversee logistics, coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, support compliance with research governance, and facilitate team communication.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Principal duties;

• Develop and maintain a detailed project plan, identifying milestones, deliverables, and risk mitigation strategies;
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including data scientists, clinicians, digital platform developers, and field staff;
• Oversee scheduling of interviews, focus groups, and pilot activities with healthcare workers;
• Track project progress and ensure adherence to timelines, escalating any issues that could impact delivery;
• Liaise with external collaborators including the Ministry of Health, TASO, and local HIV clinics;
• Manage internal reporting processes and contribute to donor progress reports for the Wellcome Trust;
• Assist the PI with preparation for ethical review board submissions and compliance documentation;
• Maintain project documentation (meeting minutes, logs, status reports) in accordance with LSHTM procedures;
• Support budgeting and procurement related to project activities (software, field travel, incentives); and,
• Coordinate logistics for team meetings, workshops, and launch events of the SEEKGSP Academy;

Financial Management;

• Monitor project expenditures against budget and alert the PI to any deviations; and,
• Assist in preparing financial reports and liaise with finance officers for audits or funder queries.

Line Management responsibilities;

• Supervise administrative or field staff as needed (e.g., research assistants, interns); and,
• Support team performance through goal setting, feedback, and professional development.

LSHTM Integration;

• Ensure alignment of project practices with LSHTM policies and standards; and,
• Represent the MHDP project in institutional meetings or cross-project collaborations when called upon.

Environment;

• Office-based at the Entebbe site; and,
• Must be adaptable to changing project needs, including occasional work outside normal hours during key events or deadlines.