Deputy Director (Coordinator) of CREHSS (Endowed Chair of Health Systems Research

Institution: CREHSS is an inter-institutional organization committed to conducting high quality and policy relevant research on all aspects of the health system as well as health, and development issues facing sub-Saharan Africa.

The center seeks to develop high callibre health systems researchers to promote evidence based policy making and practice in the health sector.

The Center is jointly owned by a consortium of institutions interested in health systems strengthening: Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Moi University, Christian Health Association of Kenya, Nursing Council of Kenya, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, and Africa Population Health Research Center.

The Centre seeks to recruit a Deputy Director (Coordinator), eventually an endowed Chair of Researcn, based at the Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development (TICH), currently located in Kisumu, Kenya.

The Position :

The Deputy Director (Coordinator) of CREHSS will report to the University Governing Council through Center Governing Committee (SGC).

The deputy director will supervise heads of Departments and oversee all functions of the Center: Collaborative Research, Capacity Building, Knowledge Translation and Networking.

The deputy director has management responsibility for all Institutional Research and related functions and is responsible for the leadership and development of a comprehensive institutional research program to support the mission and strategic initiatives of the members.

The deputy director plays a key role in setting directions for the Center as -well as providing hands-on data analysis, interpretation of findings, and preparation of reports for both internal and external distribution. Translation of data into usable information for policy and practice among members is a key function of this position in order to facilitate strategic planning, policy-making, resource allocations.

The Deputy Director develops program logic and code, produces data and reports as appropriate and consults with the decision makers of member institutions to set priorities and to determine the need for special studies and analysis.

Specifically the director will:

• Lead the development and updating of the Center's strategic plan and its translation into annual work plans
• Work with Center heads of departments in setting core research priorities and in fundraising for research projects
• Provide direct and strategic links to national, regional and international institutional partners and collaborators
• Provide quality assurance for all research work and reports, including proposals, ethical reviews, and research/donor reports
• Support the Head of Knowledge Translation to Policy and Practice to enhance the role of research in informing policy decisions and the Heads of Capacity Building, and Research Leadership Departments to enhance research competencies among the CREHSS member agencies, and across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Work with the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Unit to ensure efficient systems for data collection, processing, management, archiving, analyses, and sharing; and
• Work with the Head of Finance and Administration to ensure prudent and efficient deployment of the Center's human and financial resources in implementing the Center's research agenda.
• Provide direction and administrative management in all aspects of the Institutional Research Operation.

The Candidate:

CREHSS is looking for an accomplished researcher and/ or research manager that must hold a doctoral degree in quantitative, public health or social science disciplines, with an emphasis on quality, productivity with demonstrated experience with quantitative research methods and statistics, a sound knowledge of qualitative research methods, and at least 5 years of relevant experience in a higher education or research management/leadership role.

In particular with:

• At least 10 years of post-doctoral experience in an academic or research institution, five of which must be at a senior management level
• A PhD in a field relevant to CREHSS's research including Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Demography, Development or Policy Studies, Health Economics, Public Health, Sociology or Anthropology, with experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation;
• Extensive experience working in sub-Saharan Africa
• Excellent interpersonal, supervisory, communication, and leadership skills with past experience in managing senior staff in research or academic institution
• Excellent track record in fundraising for scientific and research programs.
• Leading a multi-staff office in strategic planning, project management and assessment;
• Demonstrate excellence in research through publication of a minimum of 10 articles in peer reviewed journals.
• Assessing student learning and mentorship.
• Strong statistical and analytical skill set, demonstrable knowledge of statistical modeling and trend analysis; excellent oral and written communication skills; effective management and organizational skills;
• the ability to work independently, attend to multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines;
• Experience in the use of microcomputers, spreadsheets, and data base management experience in an academic or research environment, as well as sufficient programming experience to recognize programming methods and techniques applicable to a variety of situations are highly desirable.
• Provide critically important reporting, assessment, benchmarking, planning and public information services to support decision making, resource allocations,

Preference will be given to individuals with strong commitment to training and mentorship of other researchers, knowledge and experience in financial and human resources management, as well as excellent writing and editing skills.

The candidate must also be self-driven and demonstrate high-aptitude in assessing risks, managing and resolving conflicts, and team building.

Interested candidates should send via email their letter of application and CV with contact details of three referees to the address below.

The Human Resources Manager,
Great Lakes University of Kisumu,
Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development
P.O. Box 2224-40100,
Kisumu.