Director - Research Capacity Strengthening

VACANCY
 

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH CAPACITY STRENGTHENING
 

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization that carries out policy-relevant research on population, health, education and development issues facing sub-Saharan Africa. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, APHRC also supports research capacity strengthening efforts in the region and the engagement of policy-actors with research evidence.

This exceptional opportunity will lead the vibrant and creative Research Capacity Strengthening (RCS) arm of APHRC towards an increasing profile and reach across Africa in four key areas:

1. Building and expanding formal partnerships with universities to improve graduate training in general, and doctoral training in particular, in the broader areas of APHRC’s work
2. Fostering opportunities to support individual and institutional research capacity through fellowships and training workshops
3. Conducting training workshops to enhance the capacity of African policymakers, program implementers, and the media to utilize relevant scientific evidence
4. Training programs including planned academic offerings in collaboration with partner universities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide overall direction and guidance to the organization’s various research capacity strengthening programs and ensuring synergies across these programs;
• Lead the translation of the organizations’ strategic plan into annual work plans for the RCS Division
• Lead the RCS team in setting priorities and in resource mobilization;
• Manage and nurture the network of partners on the RCS programs at national, regional and international levels;
• Work with HR to recruit and retain staff for the division;
• Work with the Internal Auditor to identify and manage risks in the division.
• Work with Director of Operations to ensure proper budgeting and overseeing divisional expenditure in line with contractual obligations with funders’;
• Work with Director of Policy Engagement and Communications to enhance effectiveness in policy engagement and communication in the Division;
• Work with Director of Research to enhance provision of individual and institutional capacity building for research staff and engage APHRC researchers in RCS programs
• Lead the Center’s Board discussions on the RCS Division

APHRC is seeking an accomplished leader with the following attributes:

• A PhD in any of the social or health science disciplines and at least 10 years of post-qualification experience in an academic or research institution, five of which must be at a senior management level;
• Experience developing and managing graduate training programs;
• Extensive experience working in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Solid fundraising record for training programs;
• Strong organizational, writing and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent networking skills;
• Excellent and demonstrable research productivity, including publications and grants;
• Good understanding of financial management;
• High level of personal integrity, transparency, professional discretion and an ability to interact effectively with diverse partners acting as a role model for others; and
• Good interpersonal relationship skills and ability to build and lead a cohesive team in achieving the overall goals of the division.

APHRC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however those from the African continent will be given priority.
 

Interested candidates are invited to send via email no later than May 15, 2015, their letter of application and CV with contact details of three referees to jobs@aphrc.org. Please, indicateDirector RCS on the subject line of the email. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Cover letters should be addressed to:

The Human Resources Officer
African Population and Health Research Center, Inc
APHRC Campus, Manga Close, off Kirawa Road, Kitisuru
P. O. Box 10787-GPO, Nairobi

Website: www.aphrc.org