Operations Lead, Community Studies

About The George Institute

The George Institute for Global Health was established in 1999 with a mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide, particularly underserved populations, by challenging the status quo and using innovative approaches to prevent and treat the world’s biggest killers: non-communicable diseases and injury.

With offices in Australia, China, India and the UK, our 700+ people support 245+ active projects and clinical trials across 50+ countries, with 400+ more staff across our social enterprises. We focus on the global health challenges that cause the greatest loss of life, the greatest impairment of life quality and the most substantial economic burden, particularly in resource-poor settings.

Together with our academic partners, UNSW Sydney in Australia, Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India and Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, we work with a global network of collaborators, undertaking clinical, population and health systems research.

Our experts are among the most cited globally, bestowed accolades for excellence and innovation, and regularly participate in policy fora. Our research is published in leading academic journals, referenced in policy documents, and recognised for its excellence, innovation and impact. We are designated a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO CC) for Injury Prevention & Trauma Care, and a WHO CC for Population Salt Reduction. Since 1999, we have raised more than $1 billion for research and produced over 10,000 peer-reviewed publications and other academic outputs.

What we do

• Lead world-class, large-scale clinical trials, epidemiological studies and health systems research to transform treatments and healthcare delivery
• Look beyond single diseases, across the life course, to identify patient-centred approaches to care that can be implemented at scale
• Develop low-cost, innovative solutions to global unmet needs
• Drive our global impact through a program of research, advocacy, thought leadership and disruptive social entrepreneurship

For more information about The George Institute, visit www.georgeinstitute.org.

The George Institute India

The George Institute, a wholly owned legal not-for-profit Indian research institute, has been conducting research related activities in India since 2002. The George Institute India’s mission mirrors that of the parent organization, namely the discovery and implementation of solutions to chronic and disabling health problems through research, policy development and capacity building.

A number of large-scale projects in population, health systems and clinical research, funded by a diverse group of sponsors, both public and private, are conducted in India. The George Institute India comprises two distinct operating groups: Research and Development, and Infrastructure and Resources. It has two separate offices - in Hyderabad and New Delhi, where the research staff and senior management are based.

Context and Role

The Centre for Operational and Research Excellence (CORE) aims to provide high-quality expertise and robust operational systems and processes to deliver The George Institute’s research strategy. The Project Operations team is one of the key functions of CORE-India and supports research with high-quality project operations within the George Institute India.

Operations Lead, Community Studies is responsible for streamlining operations for community-based studies.  The Operations Lead will work closely with senior project investigators, project managers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the systems and processes developed are practical, beneficial, and aligned with the specific needs of community-based and non-clinical research conducted in the India office. The Operations Lead also provides project management and quality assurance related mentorship and guidance to project staff and their teams involved in community research.

Reporting Relationships

The Operations Lead reports directly to the Head of Project Operations, The George Institute, India.

The Operations Lead will work closely with other Project Managers to provide and develop project expertise to deliver projects. The Operations Lead may have direct or indirect line management responsibilities and/or functional responsibilities for Senior Project Managers, Project Managers, and Project Officers.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Coach and inspire team members in their role and responsibilities for project delivery and team oversight, providing technical guidance where required and being the point of issue escalation for project staff.
• Work closely with the Project Operations team to drive continuous improvement in project delivery, including active participation in relevant working groups.
• Actively engage with the implementation of CORE strategic objectives and plans.
• Demonstrate and role model The George Institute’s core behaviors in all interactions with project team members and stakeholders.

Strategic Development & Technical Expertise

• Conduct needs assessments and work with key stakeholders to identify areas where efficiency can be added to community-based studies.
• Establish system-level infrastructure, processes, and tools to support community-based studies.
• Work closely with quality assurance teams and contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and templates to standardize community-based studies in India.
• Provide project management guidance and technical expertise to deliver large and complex community-based projects across The George Institute India.
• Provide guidance on delivering project-specific milestones and budget management, and continuously monitor project progress against these timelines and budgets.
• Understand the synergies between clinical trials systems and processes developed as part of CORE and identify how these systems can be adapted for community-based studies.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in community and non-clinical research project management.
• Provide technical advice and suggestions in project consultations and reviews.
• Support budget development and review for funding applications.
• Contribute to the content and/or delivery of project management training within project operations.

Compliance and Training

• Mandatory attendance at department and project-specific training.
• Attend and actively participate in project management and organizational meetings and workshops.
• Comply with all required project-specific and The George Institute-specific systems.
• Comply with all applicable regulations, guidelines, SOPs, and project-specific requirements.
• Report and escalate identified issues according to The George Institute and/or project requirements.

As a Team Member

• Participate in special projects to improve processes, tools, systems, and the organization.
• Take responsibility for personal learning and development and for setting achievable and meaningful work objectives.
• Demonstrate commitment to The George Institute’s organizational values, including performing to an exceptionally high ethical standard and focusing on integrity, collaboration, and teamwork in all efforts.

As a Team Manager

• Ensure direct reports understand and comply with The George Institute’s policies and procedures, standard operating practices, ethical practice, and the legislative environment.
• Manage the performance of direct reports, including completing plans and setting work and personal objectives.
• Ensure team members participate in and comply with their assigned training schedule.
• Assist in the recruitment of project staff.

As a Team Leader

• Act as a role model and ensure the team’s commitment to The George Institute’s values.
• Actively identify and develop talent within the team.

Work Health and Safety

• Comply with Work Health and Safety legislation and operate in accordance with established Occupational Health and Safety practices and procedures at The George Institute.
• Promote and contribute to a safe, secure environment for staff and visitors.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• At least 7 years’ experience in managing all aspects of complex community/non-clinical research in an academic or public health environment.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of applying Research and Project Management principles.
• Proven management experience of at least eight years either as a line manager or project team manager.
• Demonstrated experience in quality improvement.
• Excellent abilities in written and verbal communication.
• Tertiary qualifications in a related science or health care discipline.
• Proficient in use of the Microsoft Office suite of products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to manage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to see the big picture yet still focus on detail.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing organizational priorities and ambiguous environments.
• Excellent organizational, time management, stakeholder, and project management skills.
• Strong focus on quality work.
• Ability to travel.

 For more details, please see the Position Description for this role.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should send their resume with full contact details, current and expected CTC/salary. Clearly mentioning the job title "Operations Lead, Community Studies" in the subject line to hrindia@georgeinstitute.org.in by the November 10, 2024

Our big and bold mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide needs a diverse and innovative team to deliver it.  So we foster a dynamic, inclusive and flexible workplace where each individual can bring their best selves to work.

Everyone is encouraged to apply, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with a disability, people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, and mature-aged adults.