Director, Socio Behavioural Research at International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)

Reports to: Africa Regional Director

Position Summary: The Director, Socio Behavioural Research will be responsible for defining, designing and implementing IAVI’s socio-behavoural research portfolio in Africa. IAVI works with local research institutions in five countris in Africa to implement HIV vaccine clinical trials and related epidemiology and formative research. Much of this work is conducted with high-risk populations, such as men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and fishing communities, in addition there is ongoing and planned research among adoloscents. Within this context, there is an opportunity for increased socio-behavioural research to be conducted. The successful candidate will work closely with research partners and key stakeholders (including donors) to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to understand key SBR questions to be addressed. Based on this feedback and in collaboration with partners, the Director, SBR will lead the development of a robust SBR research portfolio in collaboration with IAVI colleagues and external partners. The Director, SBR will be responsible for working closely with research partners in the design, implementation, analysis and write-up of agreed SBR research studies. Such studies will often be nested within existing clinical and epidemiological studies, but with a possibility of designing new social science studies relavant to HIV prevention. Additionally this position will support IAVI’s CRC partners to build upon their capacity to develop their own SBR proposals and publications.

The Director, SBR will work with relevant Project Teams and Protocol Teams, with general guidance of the Chief Medical Officer and direct reporting to the Africa Regional Director. He/she will have a high degree of research competence and is comfortable leading this initiative and providing mentorship and training to partners. He/she may, after consultation, represent IAVI with external agencies, to develop collaborations or seek funding. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic planning and stakeholder consultations to design SBR research portfolio to answer key social science questions related to HIV vaccines. 
• Participates in selected Protocol Teams for clinical and epidemiologic studies where SBR questions are included. 
• With collaborating investigators, develops strategic and detailed implementation plans and procedures for SBR research studies. Oversight of SBR protocols, consent forms, data collection instruments, and preparation of suitable educational materials and regulatory documents. 
• Works closely with collaborating investigators to provide mentorship, training and research skills transfer for SBR, including support and input on investigator driven grants for socio behavioral research projects. 
• Participate in development of work plans and budgets for SBR research studies, and monitoring/reporting achievement of work plan milestones.  
• Contributes to development of grant applications and reports for donors and granting agencies, in collaboration with the IAVI External Relations group. 
• Contributes to development of, and reviewing, SBR content of IAVI documents such as the IAVI Report and other IAVI educational materials. Represents IAVI in scientific, regulatory and other capacities, as needed.  
• Maintains in-depth knowledge about key SBR research topics related to HIV vaccines, NPT’s, key populations. 
• Attends appropriate external meetings and courses to maintain competency and awareness in assigned area, worldwide activities, and the HIV vaccine community at large. 
• Other national and international duties as assigned.

Experience and Skills:  

• Passion for IAVI mission. 
• Ph.D. in social science or related field. 
• Experience with HIV/AIDS and /or sexual and reproductive health. 
• Proven experience in desiging,executing and publishing socio behavioural research studies in international resource constrained settings. 
• Proven experience in qualitative data analysis using NVIVO or similar soft ware, as evidenced by peer review publications. 
• Relevant experience working in developing countries, especially Africa region. 
• Diplomatic skills, excellent judgment, proven ability to present programs to all audiences ranging from high level political to lay community groups. 
• Strong organizational skills, resourceful, and mature self-starter, with proven experience in building a strong, coherent program and operations in resource poor settings with limited infrastructure. 
• Experience in working in a decentralized system, and maintaining close working relationship with various departments at IAVI HQ, field office and other designated laboratories. 
• Proven ability to operate within a scientific, social, medical or clinical research program.  
• Willingness to travel at least 20% of the time.