JOB TITLE: Research Impact Specialist, Africa Region
REPORTING TO: Associate/Manager, Kenya Business Development and Director, Research Impact
LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya
JOBS SUPERVISED: None
ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: Two-year renewable contract
POSITION SUMMARY: Population Council seeks to recruit an experienced professional to serve as the Research Impact Specialist, Africa Region. The Regional Research Impact Specialist will work closely with country office staff in Nairobi Kenya, the Director of Research Impact, to increase the use of evidence to strengthen national, regional and global health and development programs, policies, practices, and investments. S/he will manage and provide technical input for a portfolio of dissemination and utilization activities designed to amplify the impact of the Population Council’s social, behavioral, and biomedical research in the Africa region.
The Specialist will be responsible for translating technical information, evidence and data into presentations, briefs, tools, infographics, and/or other materials that are accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. S/he will also provide coordination and management support for the Council’s growing research utilization/impact (RU/RI) portfolio and network in the Africa region as well as support resource mobilization activities. The Specialist will sustain strong collaborative relationships with colleagues at multiple levels and areas across the organization. S/he will also be responsible for supporting strategic partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, including program implementers, policy and advocacy organizations, government, multilateral development agencies, as well as other health and development partners.
The Specialist will work effectively both independently and as a member of multi-cultural as well as multidisciplinary teams. S/he will be a self-motivated, strategic thinker with excellent organizational skills and a strong focus on delivering results.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Contribute to development of evidence-based briefs, presentations, tools, infographics, and/or other materials as well as targeted research uptake plans, and strategies tailored to the needs of key stakeholders and strategic partners
- Work closely with country office staff in the Africa region, the Director of Research Impact, and other colleagues to convene and facilitate webinars, workshops, symposia, and other events in partnership with key stakeholders to collaboratively advance evidence-informed programming, policymaking and investments
- Support strategic partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, including program implementers, policy and advocacy organizations, government, multilateral development agencies, as well as other development partners
- Build and maintain strong relationships across the region with key Council program and country office staff as well as the global research impact, communications, and development teams to advance shared research impact goals
- Identify, document, synthesize and/or consolidate research utilization successes, approaches and case studies across the region in partnership with country offices, research impact staff and other colleagues
- Monitor and track progress against key research impact metrics working in coordination with the Council’s knowledge management staff and systems
- Assist business development and program staff to develop proposals and mobilize resources for enhancing data/evidence utilization
- Coordinate and provide management support for the Africa regional research impact portfolio, including coordination with operations/administrative staff
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in public health or a related field preferred with at least three years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in public health, international development or a related field with at least five to seven years of relevant experience; or a satisfactory combination of education and relevant experience
- Exceptional ability to communicate in writing and verbally, including strong presentation and facilitation skills as well as the proven ability to convey evidence and data in ways that are relevant and accessible to diverse audiences
- Outstanding interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to effectively engage with a broad range of colleagues and partners at multiple levels
- Self-motivated; flexible and adaptable; creative; and hard-working with demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of multi-disciplinary teams
- Proven ability to think critically, problem solve, manage multiple priorities, adhere to deadlines, and work well under pressure to achieve results
- Knowledge of and experience operating within the global health and development landscape, including familiarity with social, behavioral and/or biomedical research as well as research utilization
- Experience working on multicultural teams required; professional experience working across multiple countries in Africa desired
- Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail, efficiency, forward-planning, and follow-through
- Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite required, familiarity with data visualization and analysis desired
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%)
How to apply
Qualified candidates should send their resume and cover letter to: [email protected]
The application deadline is 31st January 2021. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Population Council is an equal opportunity employer
The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries.
More Information
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