Competency-based Training Needs Assessment for Research Managers and Administrators in Africa and the United Kingdom to Strengthen Equitable Partnerships

Abstract

Background: The need for competent research managers and administrators (RMAs) has increased due to the complexity in managing research projects between disparate and international partners. To facilitate the creation of robust training and professional development programmes it is essential to first understand the status quo. A collaborative project, Sustainable Management and Administration for Research: Training across the project Lifecycle (SMARTLife), made up of RMAs from South Africa, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom (UK) developed a set of competencies to conduct an RMA competency-based training needs assessment scoping tool. Method: Nine areas were identified: Equitable partnership; Finance Management; Project Management; Monitoring and Evaluation; Reporting and Communications; Equity, Diversity & Inclusion; Training and Capacity Development; Impact a& Sustainability; and Ethical, Social, Legal a& Social Implications. Tasks for each competency area were identified to develop an scoping tool that had 168 data collection points. The tool was advertised through press releases, mailing lists and social media. Results: 108 responses were obtained: with 49% from 15 Africa countries/the remainder from the UK. The UK (71%) had more permanent RMA staff members compared to Africa (39%). There were more respondents in Africa with the title of Research Manager/Coordinator(p=0.0132) compared to the UK where most of the RMAs were employed as Finance/Contract officers. 60% of respondents from the UK had more than three years experience while only 35% from Africa had experience. While most RMAs had formal higher education qualifications, their training was not in research management and administration, which requires a diverse range of skills. Confidence in specific tasks varied between the UK and Africa whereas collaborative partnerships challenges and enablers were similar. Conclusion This work highlights differences in RMA training and experience RMA between Africa and UK, this work could inform much needed competency-based training for RMAs and partnership strategies that aid mutual-learning.

Research Management and Administration in the Western Balkans

“…It appears that RMA is a dominantly female profession although additional research is needed to reach reliable conclusions. These findings are broadly consistent with previous findings in Europe (Virágh et al, 2019) and globally (Kerridge & Scott, 2018a;Oliveira, Trindade, et al, 2022;Shambrook & Roberts, 2011), although Nembaware et al (2022) have found that African countries have twice as many male RMAs compared to the UK. RMA professionals are mostly situated within public HEI/Research Performing Organisations (RPOs).…”

“…One of the possible explanations may be the high costs associated with the EARMA membership and additional costs of attending conferences and competencybased training programmes that are not affordable to many RMAs from the WB. In addition to this, some scholars have contended that existing training programmes for RMAs are mainly available in the north and likely to differ between countries offering content that does not equally address the needs of less developed countries (Campbell, 2010;Nembaware et al, 2022).…”

The Influence of RMA Associations on Identity and Policymaking Internationally

“…Other authors covering the issue of professional associations highlight the added value of RMA associations in the provision of trainings (Nembaware et al, 2022), opportunities for professional development (Kirkland, 2005c;Kirkland & Stackhouse, 2011;Nembaware et al, 2022), peer learning (Poli, 2018a;Kirkland & Ajai-Ajagbe, 2013) and networking (Kirkland & Ajai-Ajagbe, 2013). In addition, Langley and Ofosu (2007) underline the opportunity for sharing best practices and offering support to each other as the key values of such associations, referring to the examined associations as 'sustainable self-help organisations that disseminate good practice across the regions.…”