Project Coordinator

The South African Medical Research Council; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading medical research organization in Cape Town seeks a Project Coordinator to manage various research projects and grants. The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills and experience in stakeholder liaison. Responsibilities include overseeing project timelines, facilitating communication among stakeholders, and ensuring the timely submission of reports to funding bodies. This position offers a chance to contribute significantly to impactful research initiatives in South Africa.

Qualifications

• At least 2 - 3 years of relevant experience coordinating/managing projects/grants.
• Experience in stakeholder liaison including coordinating events/meetings.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of projects/grant awards for delivery in line with timelines.
• Liaise with PIs and host institutions to coordinate project activities.
• Lead timely submission of high-quality reports to funders.

Skills

Project management skills

Stakeholder liaison

Analytical skills

Education

3-year tertiary qualification in a science or related discipline

BSc degree or equivalent in biomedical science or related discipline

Job description

Overview

Job title : Project Coordinator

Job Location : Western Cape, Cape Town

Deadline : November 08, 2025

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Responsibilities

Project Management

• Responsible for the management of a portfolio of projects / grant awards (SHIP, EDCTP3 / GHP, SAMRC) to ensure conduct and delivery of the projects in line with approved timelines, milestones and budgets
• This includes :
• liaising with PIs and host institutions
• attending regular project meetings
• raising and addressing matters regarding project activities and budget
• managing disbursements
• reporting back on project progress and status
• project monitoring and support – review technical and financial reports and make recommendations to management.
• developing / updating project summaries on projects being managed
• coordinating review meetings
• filing project documentation
• In consultation with and under the supervision of a Programme Manager and operating within clearly defined boundaries

This includes :

• Lead and manage timely submission of high-quality South African Annual Workplans and reports to EDCTP3 / GHP (e.g. In-Kind Activities (IKAAs))
• Take initiative to source, extract and collate programme statistics and outputs for funder reports (EDCTP3 / GHP, DSTI, OHAMR, SAMRC) and compile the reports for submission. This includes reporting on IKAAS to EDCTP.
• Supply impact assessment reports of SA participation in EDCTP3 / GHP, OHAMR, EP-PerMed, and GloPID-R with key statistics & indicators upon request. This includes liaising with the relevant secretariats, project coordinators, and project managers to obtain information on funded SA projects.
• File programme documentation and maintain a database of information related to the administration and management of South African initiatives and projects related to the EU (EDCTP3 / GHP, OHAMR, and GloPID-R)
• Take initiative to source relevant EDCTP3 / GHP, OHAMR, and GloPID-R calls and other relevant information for reporting to SAMRC and DSTI and dissemination to the SA research community
• Facilitation of RFAs under the supervision and sign-off of programme manager, as required, including :
• liaising with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate drafting and publicizing of RFAs through email, webinars, and / or roadshows, particularly to historically disadvantaged institutions of higher learning and research
• field queries from applicants and institutions
• facilitate the peer review and selection processes including coordinating selection committee meetings
• contribute to the preparation of EMC submissions for award approvals
• facilitate drafting and signing of funding agreements
• provide feedback to applicants, including award letters and project initiation letters

Program Coordination

• Lead and manage timely submission of high-quality South African Annual Workplans and reports to EDCTP3 / GHP (e.g. In-Kind Activities (IKAAs))
• Take initiative to source, extract and collate programme statistics and outputs for funder reports (EDCTP3 / GHP, DSTI, OHAMR, SAMRC) and compile the reports for submission. This includes reporting on IKAAS to EDCTP.
• Supply impact assessment reports of SA participation in EDCTP3 / GHP, OHAMR, EP-PerMed, and GloPID-R with key statistics & indicators upon request. This includes liaising with the relevant secretariats, project coordinators, and project managers to obtain information on funded SA projects.
• File programme documentation and maintain a database of information related to the administration and management of South African initiatives and projects related to the EU (EDCTP3 / GHP, OHAMR, and GloPID-R)
• Take initiative to source relevant EDCTP3 / GHP, OHAMR, and GloPID-R calls and other relevant information for reporting to SAMRC and DSTI and dissemination to the SA research community
• Facilitation of RFAs under the supervision and sign-off of programme manager, as required, including :
• liaising with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate drafting and publicizing of RFAs through email, webinars, and / or roadshows, particularly to historically disadvantaged institutions of higher learning and research
• field queries from applicants and institutions
• facilitate the peer review and selection processes including coordinating selection committee meetings
• contribute to the preparation of EMC submissions for award approvals
• facilitate drafting and signing of funding agreements
• provide feedback to applicants, including award letters and project initiation letters

Stakeholder Liaison

• Serve as focal point of all South African EDCTP3 / GHP and, OHAMR funded projects and initiatives for efficient and effective coordination and administration.
• Act as a communication linkage between General Assembly members in DSTI / SAMRC and the EDCTP Africa Office in any scientific and policy matters in the interest of both EDCTP3 / GHP and South Africa.
• Contribute to arranging and participating in internal and external stakeholder events / meetings, including support for agenda preparation and dissemination of meeting materials and drafting media outputs
• Support meeting planning and logistics in coordination with the administration staff, Programme Manager, Corporate and Marketing Division, Office manager and SAMRC Events team for larger beneficiary meetings
• Drafting of meeting reports and monitoring of actions
• Contribute to the preparation of stakeholder communication materials (e.g. website material, presentations, reports, etc.)

Requirements

Core requirements

• 3-year tertiary qualification in a science or related discipline
• At least 2 - 3 years of relevant experience coordinating / managing projects / grants (i.e. proven project management skills) as defined in the core key performance areas stipulated above.
• Experience in stakeholder liaison including coordinating stakeholder events / meetings

Advantageous :

• BSc degree or equivalent in biomedical science or related discipline
• Demonstrated experience working in a public funding and / or research environment or similar, managing or coordinating projects, grants, fellowships or scholarships.
• Experience working in international research funding programmes, particularly European Union / Commission-related funding programmes.
• Experience in multi-institutional programme coordination including contract management
• Administrative / Management jobs