Director, Scientific Programs, Partnership and Grant Management at Kenya Medical Research - KEMRI

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate all the research activities that are carried out in the Institute, advice on policy that will contribute towards realization of Equitable, Affordable and Quality Health Care.
• Provide support in research financing and development of sustainable research and grants management capacity, and creation of effective synergy and networks within KEMRI, and with donors and partners in the public and private sector.
• Ensure efficient and effective grant compliance and financial management of research funds based on donor and the institutional policies and guidelines.
• Coordinate research for human health in the devolved system of Government. In contributing towards realization of Equitable, Affordable and Quality Health Care of the Highest Standard as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the Country’s blue print, Vision 2030, KEMRI has developed a comprehensive framework, under which the Institute will carry out research, capacity building and service delivery in the country’s forty seven Counties.
• Coordinate the Scientific Research Programs in Institute
• Coordinate Grants Management of the Institute.
• Coordinate Country Cluster Coordinators.
• Promote, coordinate and advance all research collaborations and partnership.
• Liaise with Government Ministries, other research Institutions, the Universities, the National Council for Science and Technology and Innovations (NACOSTI) and other organization on research collaboration activities.
• Coordinate Research related Vision 2030 committee and activities
• Promote partnership and collaboration, and ensure efficient and effective technical cooperation.
• Coordinate the Planning and execution of national, regional and international collaborative activities of ESACIPAC.
• Develop and review collaborative MOUs and agreements with partners.
• Develop and review MOUs and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with county Governments and other relevant partners.
• Coordinate routine meetings with collaborators, partners and other stakeholders to thrush out issues of mutual concern.
• Initiate development of policies that will enhance funding for research programs
• Develop strategies that Attract research grant income, and other income, from a variety of sources, for research and capacity building efforts towards financial sustainability of the Institute.

Person Specification:

• At least twelve (12) years of relevant work experience, with five (5) years in a management position.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Sciences, Public Health, any relevant Social Science, or equivalent qualification.
• Master’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, Applied Sciences, Public Health, any relevant Social Science, or equivalent qualification.
• Doctorate degree in relevant disciplines.
• 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) as the first or lead author.
• Leadership Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks.
• Professional qualification and membership where applicable.
• Proficiency in computer applications.

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated experience in developing strong partnerships with government partners, donors, and collaborating institutions.
• Leadership skills, including the ability to motivate staff and build strong teams.
• Skills in leading a high-performance team in a deadline-driven, customer service organization.
• Excellent conceptual, analytical, documentation, and presentation skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in negotiating and managing contractual research relationships.
• Critical thinking skills and ability to interpret and communicate policy effectively.
• Flexibility and positive approach towards change.