TITLE: Research Policy Fellow; International Programs Division
MENTOR: Associate II/International Programs Division
LOCATION: Kisumu, Kenya
ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: Two-year fellowship term
POSITION SUMMARY: The International Programs Division provides leadership and support to the Council’s International offices and Affiliated Organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. As part of the Division’s efforts to maximize the Council’s international presence, the International Programs Divisions’ Fellowship Program aims to increase the effectiveness and impact of Council-led research within and across countries by developing and increasing the capacity and diversity of health research professionals through tailored opportunities. Fellows are placed in selected Country/Affiliate offices where they will work and contribute to key efforts while developing the technical and professional skills needed to make meaningful contributions to global health challenges.
The Research Policy Fellow will contribute to the implementation of the Revive IPTp-SP: Revitalization of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy in Kenya Project which seeks to: (1) Increase program implementers and healthcare providers’ understanding, capacity, and willingness to promote the use of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) in IPTp; (2) Increase community engagement on IPTp and promotes self-care by pregnant women; and, (3) Strengthen the capacity of county government bodies to deliver and monitor IPTp-SP interventions as part of the country’s decentralized healthcare system in the two high prevalence malaria-endemic counties in the country, Migori, and Kisumu. The Research Policy Fellow will be based in Kisumu, Kenya where they will have an opportunity to:
1. Gain first-hand experience on effective approaches to bridging the ‘know-do gap’ between evidence generation and policy impact while contributing their knowledge and skills to the project.
2. Develop their implementation science capacity through their collaboration with Council researchers on small-scale pilots to determine the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of IPTp community delivery models that promote self-care and uptake of ANC services including SP; and their contributions to the midline and endline evaluation of the project.
3. Support the implementation of project activities and grow leadership skills through oversight and management of project teams and direct engagements with partners and government stakeholders at the county and national level.
The Research Policy Fellowship is specifically geared to expanding the capacity and diversity of individuals leading and supporting research in East Africa given the growing policy frameworks, strategic priority areas and actions to guide their implementation in the region. It is limited to citizens of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Responsibilities: The following responsibilities will be refined as learning objectives in collaboration with the Research Policy Fellow through the development of an Individual Learning and Training Plan and Annual Work Plan.
1. Understand how to effectively manage and coordinate operational aspects of a project at the county and national level, including considerations to program compliance with Population Council and donor policies and procedures in areas such as financial management, human resources, and logistics.
2. Successfully engage with and provide support to project partners including on the development of quality outputs and overall responsiveness to project goals and objectives.
3. Invest in and build partnerships with individuals, organizations, and networks at the county and national level working to address malaria in pregnancy.
4. Strengthen data analysis capacity and support the interpretation of research findings to inform policy and programming.
5. Participate in and contribute to the drafting of publications including study reports, evidence briefs and manuscripts for publication in international peer review journals.
6. Collaborate with the study team to implement the project’s research uptake plans including coordinating meetings and liaising with study staff, program stakeholders, and country collaborators.
7. Monitor and analyze the policy environment; participate in county/national meetings, consultations, and work related to malaria prevention and treatment, with a focus on understanding policy and strategies for successful implementation.
8. Contribute to the synthesis and dissemination of new and existing evidence including the writing and development of information communication products and study results to guide policy and programming decisions.
9. Support the communication of Revive-IPTp’s activities to external audiences through preparation and review of written materials (e.g., reports, articles, and fact sheets); representation of the program in professional and scientific meetings to donors, partners, government actors, and within the Council.
In addition to the above, the Fellow will participate in professional continuing education, skills training, and professional meetings to enhance their leadership, management, and technical skills.
QUALIFICATIONS:
We understand that there are many paths to acquiring expertise and experience and strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse and/or nontraditional backgrounds who bring passion, skills, and experience in many or most of these areas.
1. Medical and/or Doctoral degree in social science, public health, statistics, or related field and at least 5 years of professional experience in health policy, advocacy, or governance; health systems strengthening or a related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Knowledge, experience, and/or strong interest in cross-cutting issues of capacity development, gender equity, access for underserved populations, and /or improving systems strengthening.
3. Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to effectively engage with a broad range of colleagues and partners at multiple levels. Proven ability to work well across multiple stakeholders.
4. Experience in program management and coordination with a proven track record of responsiveness, flexibility, and ability to manage multiple concurrent activities/tasks and consistently take responsibility for high-quality deliverables
5. Strong oral communications skills and the ability to read, analyze, and interpret general and technical communications; Excellent written communications skills with a keen attention to grammatical detail and presentation.
6. Demonstrated ability to work independently, think critically, problem solve, manage time efficiently, prioritize, multi-task, and respond to rapidly changing priorities. Works well under pressure to achieve results.
7. Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook required.
TERMS: The fellowship includes a monthly stipend (starting at $5494/month, commensurate with experience) to cover the cost-of-living expenses. The fellow will receive health insurance cover, return ticket, and work visa sponsorship, where applicable. Office space at a Council partner organization and a computer will be provided.
Interested candidates should email their resume and cover letters to [email protected]
Application Deadline: October 12, 2022
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. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of country offices. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described. If you know of a qualified candidate or are interested in this position, please email your resumes and cover letters to the email address listed above.
The Population Council provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered. The Council especially encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to Black people and people of African descent, Indigenous people, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, including people who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender expansive, people with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. The Population Council is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.
