RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Lead/support the implementation of research projects at the national and regional level, including designing and managing new research activities, and conducting secondary analyses and systematic reviews based on available data at the Council (and beyond) on topics of interest.

2. Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, including timelines, milestones, and budgets, in collaboration with finance, project and administrative teams. Coordinate the effective utilization of resources, including project personnel, funding and equipment.

3. Identify potential risks to project success and implement strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring project continuity and delivery.

4. Provide intellectual leadership in disseminating and communicating the Council’s research results at national, regional, and international levels through presentations, preparation of reports, and publications of papers in high impact peer-reviewed journals.

5. Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior researchers and collaborators, fostering a culture of innovation, and collaboration.

6. Enhance the utilization of research findings by working with partners to identify mechanisms for ensuring adaptation and scale-up of interventions with proven effectiveness.

7. Lead country fundraising activities by maintaining relationships with key donors and developing proposals for new research activities in focus geographic areas.

8. Build strategic partnerships with government and civil society groups to enable the uptake of emerging evidence.

9. Represent Population Council’s country office internally, by collaborating across countries and divisions; and externally, to relevant stakeholders.

10. Other duties may be required by the position.

In addition, Researcher Associate II’s will:

11. Spearhead the identification of emerging trends and gaps in global health research, developing a strategic vision for the exploration and expansion of new research areas.

12. Lead country, regional and/or global fundraising activities by maintaining relationships with key donors and developing proposals for new research activities in focus geographic areas.

13. Establish thought leadership in select areas of research by actively contributing to scholarly discourse, publishing influential papers, and participating in key conferences and forums.

14. Oversee and ensure the quality of multiple research projects, including proposal and study tool preparation and review, technical and financial reporting, ethics review and compliance with donor requirements.

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. Doctoral degree in social science, medicine, public health, with related field experience in sexual and reproductive health rights, and choices; gender equality and equity; empowerment of adolescents and young people; and climate and environmental changes.

2. Minimum 2 years (Associate I) or 6 years (Associate II) of relevant post-doctoral professional experience

3. Excellent English written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

4. Proven track record of responsiveness, flexibility, and ability to manage multiple concurrent activities/tasks and consistently take responsibility for high-quality deliverables.

5. Proven ability to understand, collaborate with, and cultivate relationships among key staff and leaders from diverse and multicultural global research and donor institutions.

6. Excellent diplomatic, representational, problem-solving, management, and interpersonal skills.

7. Understanding of bureaucratic systems in Africa and a demonstrated ability to work with all levels of national and international staff within a complex research and technical assistance organization.

8. Commitment to the Population Council’s mission and values of equity, inclusion, and social justice.

9. Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as necessary.