Outside the biomedical box of integrated care research. Meet some of our new RESPOND-AFRICA staff
The RESPOND-AFRICA consortium is made up of a range of diverse professionals from Europe and Africa. They are working on several different projects all aimed at improving health outcomes for people living with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and HIV in Africa. They are experts in unique activities that range from infectious disease care, non-communicable diseases care, project management, implementation, social science, or health economics. Have you ever wondered what it takes to be involved in a large global health program including multi-country randomised control trials? We have interviewed some of our new RESPOND-AFRICA members who are both on the ground and behind the scenes to give you an idea. Follow along in our series documenting some of our RESPOND-AFRICA consortium members!
Interviewee name: Ndojime Patrick Mbughuni
Role in RESPOND-AFRICA: Finance Manager – NIMR Muhimbili
Projects involved within RESPOND-AFRICA: MOCCA, META III, INTE-AFRICA, INTECOM
Where they are based: Dar es Salaam – Tanzania
Who are you?
I am a certified Public Accountant by profession and have been working at NIMR Muhimbili for 6 years in the role of Centre Accountant/Centre head of Finance. This was a new experience for me after working at NIMR Headquarters as an Internal Auditor for 5 years, and before that, at one of the biggest companies (private) in the country for 2 years. Although not always easy, I enjoy this challenging role, leading one of the busiest departments at the Centre, managing financial operations of various research projects, working with different people, leading coordination with other different departments, and funders with different objectives and deadlines to meet.
My journey in this field started when I joined NIMR, which is a research institution in 2010
How has your journey helped you lead to this point in your career?
Experience I got in my previous jobs and the challenging work environment is valuable. Since I was a junior officer at GAPCO and then at Tanzania Cigarette company (JTI). I got to learn new skills and new experiences throughout my career, something which is still happening to date. I have learned to endure, be ready to learn new things, self-motivation, respecting others and team playing.
How did you initially get involved in research?
My journey in this field started when I joined NIMR, which is a research institution in 2010. As an internal Auditor, I started learning how things are done in this field through reviewing various operations and research projects at various centres. I was later transferred to my current position (accountant), and this is where I got more experience in research grant management and finance.
What do you hope to do in your role and as a member of the RESPOND-AFRICA consortium?
I hope to contribute to the successful running of RESPOND-AFRICA projects through active participation and objectively issue advise on financial related matters of the projects. Also through facilitating running of these projects’ activities on daily basis to ensure that financial objectives of the projects are met and eventually achieving overall projects’ goals/objectives. The aim is to continue improving over time and ensuring that we become more efficient in the future.
I hope to contribute to the successful running of RESPOND-AFRICA projects through active participation and objectively issue advise on financial related matters of the projects
Besides research and randomised control trials, what do you enjoy doing?
There are so many things that I enjoy, including travelling and sports, and as a father and husband, spending time with family and friends whenever I get a chance to do so.
