RESEARCHER- HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a premier research-to-policy institution, generating evidence, strengthening research and related capacity in the African research and development ecosystem, and engaging policy to inform action on health and development. APHRC seeks to drive change by developing strong African research leadership and promoting evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) across sub-Saharan Africa.

APHRC seeks to recruit a Researcher to work in the Health Systems Strengthening Unit within the Health and Wellbeing Theme.  This new role, arising out of our tremendous growth is part of our five-year strategic plan, and focuses on enhancing our health systems strengthening (HSS) portfolio through targeted health systems research projects.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Lead the designing, implementing, and managing health systems strengthening research within the Center. Tasks may include study conceptualization and design, project management and coordination including, obtaining ethical approvals and research permits for studies, recruiting and training of field interviewers, supervision of field work and data management, data analysis, and report writing.
• Collaborate in the co-design and test interventions with stakeholders to inform health systems policy & practice.
• Lead and contribute to financial sustainability of the unit through contributing to fundraising efforts in the unit and cultivating relations with key donors and partners.
• Lead and contribute to scientific paper writing, policy briefs and other publications on health systems research outcomes.
• Supervise, mentor and train early career researchers in the unit and the Center at large.
• Lead policy engagement, knowledge translation and communication to appropriate audiences.
• Participate in strategic planning for the unit and contribute to regular unit reports.

 Qualifications, Skills, and Experience 

• PhD preferably in a health-related field including Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Systems or Clinical Medicine.
• Post-doctoral experience in research on health systems in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Experience in developing proposals and attracting research grants, particularly in health systems.
• Demonstrated experience in managing research teams and partnerships.
• Experience in conducting and managing health systems research projects.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analysis skills (managing, analyzing and interpreting data), with extensive familiarity with quantitative statistical packages (e.g. STATA, SAS or SPSS).
• Excellent communication skills and good record of publications on relevant areas in sub- Saharan Africa.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and ability to work in a culturally diverse team and an understanding of working among vulnerable populations such as in urban slums and rural populations.

Desirable

• Expertise/experience in working with healthcare workers, caregivers and policy makers.
• Expertise in design of community-based cluster randomized trials and quasi experimental studies.
• Expertise in qualitative methods, including familiarity with qualitative analysis software packages (e.g. NVivo).

The successful candidate may be appointed at Associate Research Scientist (3-5 years after PhD), or Research Scientist (6-11 years after PhD) or Senior Research Scientist (12+ years after PhD) levels depending on experience and track record. These positions are classified under Internationally Recruited Positions (IRP), Grades III to VI in our scales.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application in English through Researcher-HSS, and include:

1. A letter of application;
2. A statement of research interests and goals (1-2 pages); and
3. CV with contact details of three referees

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to have a Police Clearance Certificate.

Special Notice

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.