Director of Programs at African Population And Health Research Center (APHRC)

Job Summary

• This role is responsible for the provision of leadership and coordination of program activities related to the Center’s three programmatic areas. This entails providing strategic leadership through developing and articulating a clear vision, designing strategies to actualize that vision and inspiring program teams to be the best they can be. It also entails overseeing teams of highly experienced professionals in program design and implementation and ensuring synergy and collaboration across the programmatic areas.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Guide the strategic direction of programs in alignment with the APHRC corporate strategy.
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of program strategies.
• Contribute to the overall institutional strategy ensuring alignment of program priorities.
• Oversee the research governance role / program synergy roles including developing a strong interdisciplinary culture, promoting synergies.
• Establish platforms to support ideation and innovation.
• Ensure that APHRC pursues funding opportunities that are strategic, with optimal funding, synergistic, prioritize APHRC leadership, provide opportunities for growth, aligned to institutional capacities and where APHRC has a comparative advantage.
• Actively engage in forums and platforms that promote the Center’s brand and visibility.
• Cultivate and nurture strategic partnerships and networks to drive program fundraising for stability and growth.
• Manage complex, sensitive, or contentious program or management issues with funders and/or partner institutions on behalf of APHRC.
• Oversee the performance of theme leads/program heads to ensure quality and impact.
• Coordinate the development of internal reports on the status, progress, and outcomes of the programs.
• Handles disputes related to contribution and attribution to scientific products (papers, proposals, etc.).
• Oversee program fiscal activity, including budgeting, reporting, and auditing.
• Develop and implement HR strategies for the programs including staff acquisition and on-boarding plans, specifically orienting new staff on the programs.
• Develop and implement succession plans for the programs.
• Contribute to the inculcation and upholding of institutional culture and values.
• Work collaboratively with other Directors to ensure that all the Center’s programmatic and operations objectives are met with efficiency and effectiveness.
• Contribute to the Center’s governance by supporting Board functions.
• Mainstream a risk management culture in the programs.
• Design policies that contribute to creation of an environment where partnerships can thrive and ensure APHRC has an effective framework for creating and maintaining relationships.

Financial Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the identification of priority needs for staffing, equipment, training to be incorporated in the Center’s annual budgets.
• Monitor with support from the finance unit, the financial performance of the programs, identifying and following up areas of improvement.
• Ensure appropriate financial sustainability targets are set and monitored at program level in line with the Center’s annual budget and fundraising strategy.
• Ensure judicious use of the Center’s unrestricted resources.

Candidate Profile

Experience and Qualifications:

• PhD level degree in area of specialisation relevant to the Center’s programmatic priorities under research, Research & Related Capacity Strengthening and Policy, Engagement & Communication.
• At least 15 years of relevant post-PhD experience.
• Demonstrated experience in the population health research and development landscape.
• Deep understanding/experience with initiatives to strengthen the African R&D ecosystem.
• Experience in a senior leadership role for at least 8 years.
• Demonstrated success in developing, fundraising for and leading multi-year, multi-country, multi-million dollar initiatives in Africa.

Competencies:

• Strong research skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively in a diverse environment.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to develop and implement long term integrated and cross functional operational plans.