Statistician at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Department International Research Center of Excellence
Type of Employment Adhoc: Senior Program Officer

Job Purpose

• The ideal candidate will analyse IRCE datasets and contribute to the statistical analyses sections of scientific manuscripts. S/he should be able to deliver oral presentations to various audiences, to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. The Statistician also ensures that project outputs maintain high-quality standards and that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data.
• S/he will ensure that all output produced meets required standards and complies with the relevant mandates while demonstrating professional competence, and mastery of data analysis concepts and methodologies.
• The ideal candidate should be self-motivated, professional, conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; be capable of managing the work load and prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced research-focused environment.
• The statistician will lead the data management unit at IRCE.

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties of the Statistician include, but are not limited to the following:

• Data analyses for scientific manuscripts
• Developing statistical analysis plans for grant submissions and new research projects including sample size and power calculations
• Database development, review and maintenance
• Statistical computing and modeling, interpretation and discussion of results with research teams.
• Audit data quality of ongoing IRCE research projects, creation of publication-ready graphs and tables, documentation of data and analyses, interpretation of data.
• Work with research team to draft the methods and results sections of peer-reviewed papers and reports.
• Provide guidance on statistical considerations in IRCE’s ongoing research activities.
• Keep abreast of new data analyses tools, statistical methodologies and software upgrades.
• Participate in the preparation of statistical outputs and graphs for IRCE’s scientific manuscripts, publications and press releases.
• Provide training to IRCE staff and collaborators on statistical methods and data analysis.
• Provide supervision for IRCE Data managers, analysts and associates.
• Serve as a member of the IRCE data repository and contribute to the initiative to archive data at IRCE.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director and IRCE Coordinator.

Reporting:

• The Statistician reports directly to the IRCE coordinator and the IRCE Executive Director.

Educational Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, bioinformatics, health informatics or a related field is required.
• A first level university degree in the relevant area in addition to 3-5 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, as well as very good inter-personal skills.
• A minimum of 2-5 years’ work experience in data cleaning, compilation, computation and analysis.
• Ability to carry out sample size and power calculations, contribute to the data analysis sections of grant proposal applications and develop a clear statistical analysis plan for grant submissions.
• Expertise in creation of databases and use of data management software such as REDCap.
• Expertise and proven proficiency in statistical (eg STATA, SAS, SPSS, and/or R) and Microsoft packages (particularly Excel and Access)
• Experience in developing and implementing statistical methodologies is desirable.
• Proven ability to work on multiple projects and balance time-sensitive deliverables is required.
• Ability to generate data tables, charts, graphs will be a key requirement.

Experience and Skills:

• Experience in the use of R statistical package is an added advantage.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office/Excel/Power-point skills.
• Good budgeting and report writing skills.
• Strong organizational, and report writing skills
• Strong organizational, and problem-solving skills with impeccable multi-tasking abilities
• Good interpersonal skills.

Working Conditions

• The successful applicant will be hired on an initial 6 months trial period which can be terminated if performance and fit for job is deemed unsatisfactory.
• If 6 months trial period is satisfactory, successful applicant will be retained on contract, renewable every 12 months.