​​Vacancies​​

Keyword

Location


Search  
View all  

Senior Implementation Scientist, Term Appointment (3 years, renewable)

Entity

Brain and Mind Institute

Location

Pakistan or Kenya

Introduction

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU, www.aku.edu) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access.

The Brain and Mind Institute is a new entity that operates across the Aga Khan University’s multi-country campuses, connecting the rich tapestry of academic entities, and facilitating interdisciplinary research, education and related clinical programming in mental health and neurosciences. The Institute is developing an integrated mental health framework and its work program involves: (1) Education; (2) Research; (3) Innovation (delivery science); and (4) Engagement (intra-AKU, funders, governments, stakeholders).

Do you want to improve mental health in low- and middle-income countries? Are you ready to conduct state-of-the-art, implementation science that will help experts understand the determinants of mental health and shape our responses to complex and mounting problems?

We are looking for a bold, entrepreneurial, and boundary-pushing expert in implementation science who is enthralled by the challenge and excited by the opportunity to drive transformations in mental health and help improve the quality of life for millions – on a national and international scale, and on an accelerated timeline.

This is an interdisciplinary research position for an expert in implementation science, especially as it pertains to mental health research and interventions.  Working with a team based in Kenya and Pakistan, this position involves working with colleagues to leverage implementation science in support of ongoing research. Ultimately, the goal is to better address the mounting burden of mental illness in East Africa and South and Central Asia.

Working as a member of the faculty at AKU offers a world-class opportunity in AKU’s unique landscape, collaborating across multiple countries with cross appointment potential in our medical colleges.

Responsibilities

The Senior Implementation Scientist position provides leadership for mental health research initiatives in the translation of research outputs to practice and policy. The position involves a combination of technical assistance and managerial project support, development of methods and tools, and proposal development as well as provision of leadership.

Successful candidates for this position will have an interest in:
  • Improving mental health services and delivery systems in low-and-middle-income country settings;
  • Providing technical support for research studies on design, analysis, and dissemination to address key issues in mental health service delivery;
  • Promoting broad-scale utilization of research results;
  • Developing research tools and methods with colleagues and partners;
  • Building the capacity of national and local organizations to conduct and utilize program research;
  • Identifying strategic partnerships and collaborators to carry out research studies, and utilize evidence to inform the scale-up of programs and the development of policies;
  • Coordinating with donors and funders to ensure that investments in mental health research and interventions are guided by a blend of data, resources and field realities;
  • Responding to requests for technical input on new and existing research protocols;
  • Developing and implementing processes and materials for sharing lessons about tools, approaches and models;
  • Publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at conferences.
In addition, as this position requires extensive academic collaboration, candidates will be highly motivated to:
  • Develop working relationships within AKU and among research/program partners;
  • Work on a wide research portfolio with colleagues in the Brain and Mind Institute, Institute for Human Development, Institute for Global Health and Development, Medical Colleges and Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, as well as in other academic entities across Aga Khan University to develop and apply advanced knowledge in implementation science, particularly as it relates to mental health research;
  • Represent the Brain and Mind Institute and Aga Khan University in academic gatherings.

Requirements

  • A PhD and/or Medical Degree(s) in a relevant discipline;
  • A minimum of ten years of experience supporting health and research programs (experience in Implementation Science Research desired);
  • Demonstrated skills in strategic leadership, knowledge management and in-country staff capacity building;
  • Experience in Asia and/or Africa (especially with local research institutions);
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (additional linguistic capacities in Urdu and/or Kiswahili would be an asset);
  • Ability to work relatively independently as well as collaboratively with interdisciplinary and international teams; and
  • Sensitivity to and respect for diversity.

To Apply

​Interested candidates should submit a Cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae, names and email contacts of three professional referees, telephone contact, e-mail address and copies of relevant academic certificates to the Director, Human Resources, Aga Khan University’s Campus Nairobi, Kenya. P. O. Box 30270-00100 or by email to hr.universityke@aku.edu.

Your email application should bear the reference number SIS/BMI. Applications by email are preferred.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.