Assistant to the Country Director

The Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) is a large-scale clinical and public health research unit, with sites offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam, Jakarta in Indonesia and Kathmandu in Nepal. 

OUCRU’s vision is to have local, regional and global impact on health by leading a locally driven research programme on infectious diseases in Southeast Asia. Priority is given to health issues important to the hospitals where we work, and to the countries as a whole where we operate: Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal.  All work is intended not only to benefit the patients seen daily at our host hospitals, but also to help improve patient care.

Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) Nepal was founded in 2003 and has since established a reputation as one of the leading clinical research groups in Nepal. There has been considerable investment in upgrading the laboratories and in training young Nepalese clinicians and scientists. The main research focus is on the most common infectious diseases affecting the Nepalese population with a major focus on undifferentiated febrile illnesses and antimicrobial resistance.

Please see more information on OUCRU website: www.oucru.org

• Manages the Country Director’s calendar (including Outlook calendar) by scheduling meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements.
• Draft, prepare, and organize correspondence (emails, letters, reports, presentations) as directed by the Country Director.
• Assist with office-related tasks for the Country Director, including coordinating with relevant team members of parties to send official letters to offices.
• Coordinate travel logistics for the Country Director, including arrangements for transportation, accommodations, meals, and itineraries, in collaboration with the relevant parties.
• Support in scheduling and preparing for both internal and external meetings of the Country Director, including board and senior leadership team meetings. Assist with drafting agendas, taking meeting minutes, and following up on action items.
• Assist in compiling reports and other necessary documents as directed by the Country Director.
• Organize and maintain the Country Director’s office files to ensure documents are well-organized and easily accessible.
• Update and maintain relevant databases of Country Director, such as key stakeholders contact lists.
• Facilitate effective communication between the Country Director and key partners, including government representatives.
• Uphold confidentiality and professionalism when managing sensitive information and representing the Country Director’s office.
• Provide additional support as assigned by the Country Director.

Essential

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, IT or public Health, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in similar role.
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Nepali.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams, SharePoint).
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Discretion in maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information.

Desirable

• Experience working in a Health research or academic organization.
• Familiarity with international collaboration and cross-cultural communication.
• Knowledge of local administrative systems and processes in Nepal.

Key Attributes

• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships.
• Commitment to excellence and attention to detail.
• Flexibility to adapt to a dynamic and fast-paced work environment