Abstract
This study was aimed at developing a framework for assessing the competencies of health research managers and conducting self-assessment of 20 health research managers working for the-Health Systems Research Institute and its affiliates. The research managers were purposively sampled and self-assessment was conducted through a self-administered questionnaire. The average age of the persons sampled was 44.16 years and the average duration of working as a health research manager was 2 years and 5 months.
The self-assessment framework was developed by reviewing relevant documents. The Health Research Management Modules produced by WHO were considered as providing the conceptual framework for drafting the self-assessment questionnaire, which was later improved by the working group comprising a number of experienced health research managers. The self-assessment framework included eight domains of competencies as follows: 1) organization analysis; 2) research program planning and management; 3) research project planning and management; 4) capacity-building of the health research system; 5) information system for research and knowledge management; 6) financial management system for research projects; 7) management for research utilization; and 8) general management.
Results show no competency domain was assessed as good or best (average score equal to or more than 3). Competency for capacity-building of the health research system was scaled as the poorest (2.40), while the competency of research project planning and management was scored as the highest (2.67). The average score of every domain was higher for more experienced health research managers (over 3 years of working in this position) than for the less experienced ones (less than 3 years’ experience).
This study helped to identify clearer roles and competencies of health research managers. However, the competency framework needs improvement since its validity and reliability have not been tested, and the number of subjects sampled in this study was small.
