Call for Expression of Interest |
This Call for Expression of Interest is addressed to experts who are interested to work with the Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association (SARIMA) to develop articles on the application and use of the Professional Competency Framework (PCF) for research management in the context of a project titled “Building the profession of research management through the Professional Recognition of Research Managers Programme.”
The project is financially supported by the Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) hosted at the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICHEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank and WHO; and ESSENCE on Health Research (Grant number P20-00003).
Background to the PCF
The PCF which identifies the competency areas and the underlying competencies for research management in Africa was developed through a consultative project. The process to develop the PCF and the resulting learning has been documented in an article titled “Scaling up Professionalization of Research Management in Southern Africa.”
The data collected during the development of the PCF lent itself to further publications. In addition, the PCF is a dynamic framework that should evolve with the growing profession and as it is implemented. The lapse of time since the adoption of the PCF provides an ideal opportunity to reflect on its use in practice.
The PCF which identifies the competency areas and the underlying competencies for research management in Africa was developed through a consultative project. The process to develop the PCF and the resulting learning has been documented in an article titled “Scaling up Professionalization of Research Management in Southern Africa.”
The data collected during the development of the PCF lent itself to further publications. In addition, the PCF is a dynamic framework that should evolve with the growing profession and as it is implemented. The lapse of time since the adoption of the PCF provides an ideal opportunity to reflect on its use in practice.
Expert expectations
The expert would be expected to work with SARIMA to produce the following outputs:
The expert would be expected to work with SARIMA to produce the following outputs:
1) An article, worthy of publication in a research management journal, focusing on the cross cutting/transferable competencies within the PCF. The importance of ‘softer’ or pervasive skills in research management is described in literature and are in high demand in the management of complex areas such as COVID-19.
2) An article, worthy of publication in a research management journal, using a case study approach to explore examples of how the PCF was introduced in organisational settings, what elements are used and what are the areas in need of improvement or refinement.
3) An article, worthy of publication in a research management journal, on the analysis of the PCF and translating the dimensions of the framework into the professional recognition process where a portfolio of evidence is required for awarding professional status (refer to https://iprcouncil.com/). It is envisaged that this paper will essentially describe how a framework like the PCF leads to the setting up of a professional recognition programme in line with professionalisation processes described in literature.
It is estimated that the expert will need to spend approximately 150-200 hours between 15 February and 30 November 2021.
It is estimated that the expert will need to spend approximately 150-200 hours between 15 February and 30 November 2021.
Submission details
1) Complete and submit the Expression of Interest.
2) Submit a recent curriculum vitae and a quote outlining the proposed approach with timeframes, hours required and the rates to karin@sarima.co.za. Kindly indicate on email the following in the subject line: EOI – Your Name and Surname.
3) Closing date for submissions: 20 January 2021.
2) Submit a recent curriculum vitae and a quote outlining the proposed approach with timeframes, hours required and the rates to karin@sarima.co.za. Kindly indicate on email the following in the subject line: EOI – Your Name and Surname.
3) Closing date for submissions: 20 January 2021.