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

Aga Khan University; Pakistan; On-site; PKR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A private international university in Pakistan is seeking a Senior Implementation Scientist for a 3-year term appointment. The role involves leading mental health research initiatives and translating research outputs into practice and policy. Ideal candidates should have a PhD or Medical Degree and at least ten years of relevant experience. Key responsibilities include developing research tools, coordinating with partners, and promoting utilization of research results. Competitive salary and benefits included.

Qualifications

• A minimum of ten years of experience supporting health and research programs.
• Experience in Asia and/or Africa, especially with local research institutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for mental health research initiatives.
• Translate research outputs to practice and policy.
• Build capacity of national and local organizations.

Skills

Implementation science research

Strategic leadership

Knowledge management

Communication skills

Education

PhD and/or Medical Degree

Job description

Overview

Senior Implementation Scientist, Term Appointment (3 years, renewable). This position is with the Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University (AKU). AKU is a private, autonomous international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries, part of the Aga Khan Development Network. The Brain and Mind Institute operates across AKU’s multi-country campuses, connecting 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 with work programs in: Education; Research; Innovation (delivery science); and Engagement (intra-AKU, funders, governments, stakeholders). The Institute invites bold, entrepreneurial expertise in implementation science to drive transformations in mental health and improve quality of life on national and international scales.

Responsibilities

The Senior Implementation Scientist provides leadership for mental health research initiatives, translating research outputs to practice and policy. The role combines technical assistance, managerial project support, development of methods and tools, and proposal development, along with leadership responsibilities.

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 [e-mail].

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

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.