Africa Office – Work plan
The implementation of the Africa Office grant will be structured into four work packages (WP).
Project management
The EDCTP Africa Office is hosted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) through an agreement signed between the SAMRC and the EDCTP Association. The hosting agreement covers rentals, electricity, water, IT support, human resource and purchasing support, cleaning services and security. This work package will support the renewal of the hosting agreement with SAMRC for the period of the Global Health EDCTP3 grant.
Capacity development and networking
The Africa Office will provide technical support for the design and implementation of the Global Health EDCTP3 activities concerning networking and training on clinical research and regulatory and ethical issues in sub-Saharan Africa. The Africa Office team will also support the organisation of the EDCTP Forum, Fellows’ meeting, and workshops on proposal preparation, as well as project and financial management. To enhance the impact of EDCTP-funded networks the team will organise exchanges between the EDCTP Alumni Platform, Networks, and consortia to promote synergies and collaborations.
Strategic partnerships
The Africa Office will develop further links in Africa with industry, like-minded organisations, funders, and other bodies working in the field to speed up the R&I process in sub-Saharan Africa. The one full-time equivalent Project Officer will implement activities that enhance the Global Health EDCTP3 communication and outreach activities on the EDCTP achievements to increase visibility in Africa. This will include developing or renewing Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with relevant regional players in sub-Saharan Africa (e.g., Africa CDC, AUDA-NEPAD) to bring them into alignment with the Global Health EDCTP3 framework and to contribute to its effort.
Conferences, forums and meetings
The Africa Office will contribute to the organisation of EDCTP Forums. African-based grantees supported by EDCTP such as trainees, fellows, and project coordinators are key stakeholders in such forums. The one full-time equivalent Project Officer will lead the participation of the AO in organisation of the forum which includes mobilisation of African researchers and policy makers to join the forum, implementing the recommendations of the organising and scientific committees, and running supportive activities during the forum.