Director Research and Development at Kenya Medical Research - KEMRI

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and ensure implementation of the institute research and health policy to ensure provision of evidence based health solutions through policy and products at national regional and global level;
• Provide strategic leadership and administrative management of the Research and Development directorate;
• Establish strategic partnerships for research, innovations, and technology transfer;
• Coordination of research review, management and reporting;
• Guide in the development of research proposals;
• Promotion of innovation and technology transfer and product development;
• Coordination of research activities and operations through Centres;
• Coordination of clinical services, trial sites, hospitals and specialized Services;
• Overseeing disease surveillance and epidemiological platforms;
• Oversee the development, implementation and co-ordination of research staff training programs and capacity building activities in the Institute;
• Facilitate dissemination, translation and implementation of research findings; interpreting the Science and Technology Act and other relevant statutes in relation to the Institute;
• Ensuring prudent resource management and compliance to budgetary requirements and financial reporting;
• Ensuring maintenance of accurate and up to database of all Research assets including research projects and intellectual properties;
• Ensure the co- ordination of activities and operations of research centres;
• Ensuring compliance to research policy, regulation, standards and guidelines;
• Spearheading partnerships, collaborations and links with professional institutions and related bodies in advancing the Institute’s interest.

Person Specifications:

• At least twelve (12) years of relevant work experience, with five (5) years in a management position.
• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, or any relevant Social Science, or equivalent qualifications.
• Master’s degree in Clinical Medicine, Surgery, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Community Health, Epidemiology, any relevant Social Science, or equivalent qualifications.
• Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Clinical Medicine, Surgery, Community Health, Epidemiology, or any relevant Social Sciences.
• Developed at least twenty (20) proposals, ten (10) of which have been funded.
• Published at least twenty (20) articles in refereed journals, with at least ten (10) articles as the first or lead author.
• Completed a leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks (cumulative).
• Membership to a professional body where applicable.
• Proficiency in computer applications.

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Leadership skills.
• Communication skills.
• Mentorship Skills.
• Problem-solving.
• Conflict management.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Negotiation skill.
• Team building.