Location: This can be working as a remote based contractor to begin with. The role may require relocation to an African HQ at some point in the future.
Hours: Full-time
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer - Africa Clinical Research Network
Our Mission:
The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) works to develop and deploy advanced technology in pursuit of solving some of humanity’s most challenging and enduring problems. Guided by world leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs, EIT seeks to accelerate innovation by driving scientific and technological advancements across four humane endeavours: health and medical science, food security and sustainable agriculture, climate change and clean energy, and government innovation and era of artificial intelligence.
Please visit eit.org for more details.
At the Ellison Institute, we believe that an inclusive, collaborative team atmosphere is just as important to our mission as our scientific aims and methods. We strive to build a supportive environment where everyone feels confident taking creative risks toward innovation. We value emotional intelligence and communicating with empathy and respect for others. We foster a team that is curious, has a deep sense of commitment, responsibility, and the resilience needed to achieve excellence.
Job Summary:
We are establishing a clinical research network and are on a mission to revolutionise clinical research in Africa. Our vision is to build a sustainable, African-led research ecosystem that drives health equity and innovation. By establishing a network of world-class clinical research sites and capabilities, we aim to generate the evidence Africa needs to inform health decisions and policies, while cultivating the next generation of African scientific leaders.
Africa has been underrepresented in global clinical research, conducting only 2% of clinical research despite shouldering 25% of the world's disease burden. While there have been significant investments in disease-specific clinical research sites and networks, these approaches have often led to fragmented infrastructure, limited capacity, and reliance on expatriate leadership. Such models have struggled to drive long-term sustainability or meet the broader health needs of African countries and regions beyond narrow therapeutic areas. Consequently, health products and policies in Africa are often informed by data from other settings, which may not fully account for the rich diversity of African populations and local contexts. This lack of locally relevant evidence hinders the development of tailored health solutions that effectively address Africa's unique challenges and priorities.
Our clinical research network is on a mission to transform this landscape. By partnering with leading institutions and trial units across the continent, we will establish a network of clinical research sites that serve two critical goals: diversifying global research and empowering Africa to meet the healthcare needs of its rapidly growing population.
Our network will be designed to catalyze Africa's self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical and vaccine R&D and manufacturing, ensuring the continent can drive its own health innovation agenda. We will establish digital and clinical infrastructure, while prioritizing deep community engagement to foster trust, relevance and impact.
At our sites, we will conduct rigorous, ethical research that puts African populations and priorities at the centre. By generating high-quality local data that reflects the diversity of African contexts, we can accelerate the development and delivery of tailored global health solutions - for Africa, by Africa. Our goal is to build sustainable research capacity that outlasts any single study or funder, empowering African institutions to become global leaders in clinical research and scientific innovation for generations to come.
Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to join our Africa Clinical Research Network. This role is crucial for developing and implementing a clear strategy for the use of technology within our business, including software for clinical research. The CTO will drive digital transformation, oversee a team that implements digital infrastructure for the network, and lead the team that leverages data insights for research and business operations purposes.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategy and Leadership:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive digital strategy and product roadmap.
- Lead the design and implementation of new digital infrastructure tailored to clinical research needs, building on existing capabilities already present in partner clinical research sites.
- Develop budgets aligned to strategy and priorities; Monitor budget allocations and expenditures related to digital initiatives.
Technical Expertise:
- Dive deep into technical details, including software selection, tooling, and data engineering/management strategy.
- Evaluate and implement innovative digital technology solutions to enhance clinical research and operations.
- Oversee the integration of new technologies and ensure they align with business objectives.
Vendor and Stakeholder Management:
- Manage relationships with technology vendors, driving initiatives, and fostering strategic partnerships.
- Conduct vendor negotiations to secure the best tools and services for the organization.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure technology solutions meet the needs of the organization.
- Stay abreast of latest technology developments in the clinical research ecosystem.
Team Management:
- Build, manage, and mentor a team responsible for software implementation, digital infrastructure build, and ongoing maintenance.
- Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment.
Compliance and Security:
- Ensure compliance with cybersecurity protocols and data privacy regulations across multiple countries.
- Implement best practices for data security and integrity.
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Experience working with leading clinical research software.
- Strong understanding of data management principles, analytics methodologies, and regulatory requirements for clinical research and trials, especially in Africa.
- Strong background in cloud infrastructure and large-scale distributed systems.
- Ability to translate business requirements into technology solutions and actionable insights.
- Proficiency with clinical trial data and management software and regulatory software.
- Expertise in digital transformation and technology leadership within the clinical research industry.
- Strong negotiation skills and experience in vendor management.
Person Specification:
- Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly convey digital and data information.
- Sound judgment and decision-making skills with a proactive approach to work.
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness, with the ability to work in multicultural environments and navigate diverse cultural dynamics.
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of cross-functional teams.
- Effective time management skills, with the ability to work to tight deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively.
- Project management skills with the ability to prioritize, manage timelines, and lead cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated confidentiality and discretion as required.
Education and Experience:
- Advanced degree in computer science, IT, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience working in digital transformation, data analytics, or technology leadership roles within the clinical research industry.
- Fluency in English is required.
Leading multi-country/multi-site healthcare digital infrastructure activities and possessing strong clinical trial software technical understanding are essential for this role.
Please apply online providing a CV and covering letter specifically highlighting how your existing skills and experiences support fulfilling the responsibilities of this exciting role.
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