<Project Manager>

Department:

Health Studies and Gerontology

Effective Date:

March, 2010

Grade:

USG 10

35 hr/wk

Reports to:

Principal Investigator

General Accountability

The Project Manager is accountable to the Principal Investigator and is responsible for coordination of all aspects of the development, implementation, and reporting of a number of research projects, for making substantive contributions to scientific papers and research proposals, and for participation in the overall management of the activities of the research group. The Project Manager will collaborate with the Principal Investigator toward achieving major project objectives, following research and ethics protocols, within specified budgets.

Nature and Scope

The Geriatric Health Systems Research Group (http://www.ahs.uwaterloo.ca/~stolee/index.html) is a research team, located within the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, involved in research broadly aimed at improving systems of health care for older persons. The largest current research initiative is the “InfoRehab” project (www.inforehab.uwaterloo.ca), a program of research supported by an Operating Grant and an Emerging Team Grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). InfoRehab is focused on enhancing rehabilitation services for older persons through enhanced use and sharing of health information – research methods include advanced statistical analyses, qualitative methods, and consultation with stakeholders. The InfoRehab team includes 17 investigators and 13 collaborating stakeholders from across Canada. Another major project is the evaluation of the CIHR-funded Canadian Dementia Knowledge Translation Network – a national collaborative effort aimed at enhancing the translation of research knowledge into dementia practice and policy. Other projects include collaborative work on guidelines for vision screening, heart failure management in long-term care, and primary care for persons with dementia.

The Principal Investigator of the Geriatric Health Systems Group is Dr. Paul Stolee (Department of Health Studies and Gerontology).

Major Challenges of the Position

The position requires strong research and supervisory skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and excellent decision-making, organizational and time management skills – including the ability to manage and adjust multiple priorities. The position requires an ability to think critically and analytically, drawing upon a sound basis of health science education and experience.

The position requires proven interpersonal and liaison skills to communicate clearly and succinctly with investigators, collaborators, staff and other stakeholders from UW and other institutions/organizations, and including funding agencies and government and community organizations. Co-ordination among multiple projects, sites and investigators is required.

The incumbent will participate in preparing and delivering presentations at scientific meetings, and in writing scientific papers and grant proposals.

The Project Manager must have demonstrated ability to work in a highly confidential manner.

The Project Manager must have initiative, adaptability, flexibility, good judgement, a creative approach to problem solving and the ability to work proactively with minimal supervision.

Statistical Data

Current research funding is approximately $2 million, mostly from CIHR. The team is supported by an Administrative Assistant, and includes Research Associate(s) and Research Assistant(s) working on a variety of projects, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. The research team will vary in size depending on research activity and number of graduate students involved.

Specific Accountabilities

Plan and carry out the implementation of complex research projects, including budgeting, staff training and supervision, consultation with Principal Investigators, liaison with external stakeholders and relevant university departments, and overseeing all day-to-day project operations
Coordinate and participate in data collection, including liaison with study sites and participants; development of questionnaires, interview guides and other data collection instruments; interviewing and survey administration; and follow-up report backs and member checks with study participants.
Oversee, develop, implement and maintain research activity records and documentation (e.g., decision logs, Refworks database)
Coordinate and participate in analysis of statistical and qualitative data.
Undertake and facilitate systematic searches and reviews of the scientific and grey literature
Contribute to the preparation of peer-reviewed articles and presentations, as well as other communication and knowledge exchange activities, including maintenance of project websites
Contribute to the preparation of research grant applications in collaboration with Principal Investigators, including literature reviews, development of project budgets and implementation plans, liaison with other sites, and ethics applications
Provide day-to-day supervision of Administrative Assistant in coordinating administrative, budgeting, and logistical activities in support of research projects and team functioning
Provide day-to-day coordination and supervision of research assistants and Graduate Research Assistants
Maintain communication and collaborative working relationship with Investigators, Collaborators and Research Associates at multiple sites
Take a planning and leadership role in team meetings
Use Microsoft Office, including Word, Powerpoint, and Excel
Use SPSS, SAS, NVivo, and/or other quantitative and qualitative software
Occasional travel will be required.

Project Manager

General Accountability

Nature and Scope

Statistical Data

Specific Accountabilities

Working Conditions