Project Management Specialist, Research Capacity, and Learning at International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)

Position Summary: 

IAVI is seeking a highly motivated Project Management Specialist, based in Nairobi, Kenya, for the research capacity and learning portfolio of the ADVANCE program, working closely with Program and Operations teams, researchers, and a range of stakeholders across the IAVI – ADVANCE Clinical Research Center (CRC) network in East and Southern Africa. The incumbent will support the delivery of set of the Research Capacity and Learning flagships. The candidate must be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

ADVANCE (Accelerate the Development of Vaccines and New Technologies to Combat the AIDS Epidemic) is a ten-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This visionary $200 million program will run until June 2026 and is part of IAVI’s 22-year collaboration with USAID that has significantly impacted the field of HIV vaccine R&D and accelerated the search for innovative prevention tools, including a safe and globally effective HIV vaccine. USAID’s long-term investment and willingness to foster advances in science to benefit the world’s most at-risk populations have enabled IAVI’s unique model in Africa and India.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the ADVANCE Leadership and Operations team to oversee project-specific activities and initiatives to advance the implementation, outcomes, and deliverables of the research capacity and learning flagship programs.
• Assist with monitoring performance, timelines, and progress on commitments across the portfolio. 
• Assist with the implementation of all the phases of the Independent Investigator Research (IIR) Program.
• Work closely with the MEL Coordinator to keep an updated record of performance milestones, electronic reports, and other MEL related documents.
• Consolidate records and documentation such as proposals, reporting, risk registers, meeting minutes, lessons learned, and similar documents. 
• Support the rollout of the different collaboration platforms for the ADVANCE program implementation team across the CRC network.
• Create readily accessible information repositories for information exchange, process, and performance reviews (ME&L).
• Conduct desk research and collate information to prepare updates, briefs, and reports on the progress of projects in various formats (e.g., e-mails, letters, meeting minutes, briefings, progress reports) to donors, investigators, and the broader ADVANCE program team.
• Maintain an updated calendar of Virus surveillance and Pathway to independent research implementation team meetings and key engagements. 
• Interface with teams and departments across IAVI and the ADVANCE CRC network to support ADVANCE program delivery.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the manager.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in life science, Public Health, Organizational Management, or a related discipline is required; A graduate degree is desirable.
• A minimum of four (4) years’ work experience in a relevant medical, academic, research environment or non-profit setting is required.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills are required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others at all levels are required.
• The ability to take the initiative, follow-through, and work independently is required.
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple priorities while working effectively toward deadlines is required. 
• The ability to lead by example, adapt, and have self-motivation is required.
• Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills with attention to detail are required. 
• Excellent computer skills to include Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, are required, and other relevant software used for managing projects in a research and development environment is required.
• PMP certification is desirable.
• Previous work experience in Global Health/Vaccinology/Immunology/Antibody Discovery & Development is desirable.