Latest Recruitment at Aga Khan University Hospital

Job Summary

LOSHAK (Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya) is a major research collaboration between the Aga Khan University in Nairobi and the University of Michigan, involving multiple Kenyan and international partners including Kenya’s Ministry of Health and National Bureau of Statistics. Funded by the U.S. National Institute on Aging, this project will collect multi-modal data (surveys, biological measures, mobile health assessments, etc.) from over 8,000 older Kenyans, examining nearly all aspects of their physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and economic well-being. LOSHAK is also part of a large global network of harmonized aging studies modeled on the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, with the aim of informing public health policy and improving the well-being of older populations in Kenya and beyond.

As the Assistant Project Manager, you will work within the Department of Population Health at Aga Khan University (Nairobi) and report directly to the LOSHAK Project Manager. In this supportive role, you will help coordinate all aspects of the project’s implementation – from planning and budgeting to fieldwork management, stakeholder coordination, and reporting – to ensure the study’s objectives are met on time and with high quality. This position requires excellent organizational and communication skills, as you will act as a key liaison among the project’s multidisciplinary team and external collaborators. You will be responsible for maintaining smooth day-to-day operations in support of the Project Manager and the Kenya Principal Investigator, helping to advance LOSHAK’s mission and research goals.

Key Responsibilities

   Project Planning and Coordination

• Work closely with the LOSHAK Project Manager and U.S.-based counterparts to coordinate the implementation of all study aims, supporting project management activities across all dimensions of the study.
• Assist in project planning and administration, including contributing to budgeting, developing work plans, scheduling field implementation, coordinating stakeholders, managing procurement processes, and preparing project reports.
• Coordinate logistical arrangements for internal project activities, such as scheduling team meetings, organizing interviewer training sessions, and supporting study pre-tests and pilot field activities for the Kenya-based team.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Facilitate collaboration among LOSHAK co-investigators and subject-matter experts by organizing meetings/workshops to develop and refine survey modules in each investigator’s area of expertise.
• Liaise with external project partners (across local and international institutions) under the guidance of the Project Manager to ensure smooth implementation of project activities and to help identify any needed adjustments in project plans.
• Support the Project Manager in engaging with key stakeholders – including NGOs, academic partners, and government agencies – to foster dialogue, knowledge exchange, and effective policy engagement around ageing and health issues.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Work with local and international collaborators on the data management team to ensure timely data processing and the generation of quality assurance reports for the study.
• Monitor project timelines and milestones, proactively identifying potential delays or issues, and provide regular progress updates to the Project Manager and study leadership.
• Assist in preparing required progress reports and documentation for project stakeholders (partners and funders), ensuring that reporting requirements and deadlines are fully met.
• Work closely with the grants and finance administrative staff to track project expenditures and monitor grant spending, helping to ensure budget compliance and efficient use of resources.

Administrative Support and Other Duties

• Provide administrative support for project human resources, including coordinating the recruitment and onboarding of PhD students and post-doctoral fellows, and facilitating their ongoing involvement and support within the project.
• Maintain flexibility in work hours, with willingness to adjust to early-morning or late-evening calls as needed to accommodate collaborators in different time zones.
• Be prepared to travel domestically within Kenya and internationally for project meetings, training sessions, or field oversight, as required by the project.
• Perform other duties or special projects as assigned by the LOSHAK Project Manager or study leadership, in line with the evolving needs of the project.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. public health, population health, social sciences, business or related discipline) with at least 3 years of relevant project management/coordination experience, OR a Master’s degree in a relevant field with 1–2 years of experience in project coordination.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks or projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• High degree of initiative, resourcefulness, and self-direction, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Ability to exercise sound judgment in troubleshooting issues, and to know when to escalate problems or seek guidance appropriately.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with diverse teams and stakeholders at all levels. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from varied backgrounds in Kenya and internationally.
• Proficiency in standard office and project management software tools, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and email/calendar applications. Familiarity with online survey and data collection tools (such as Qualtrics or Google Forms) and videoconferencing platforms (e.g. Zoom) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated reliability, integrity, and accountability in previous roles. A strong work ethic with a proactive attitude, flexibility, and resilience in facing challenges. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications

• Academic/Research Environment Experience: Knowledge of or experience with university or research institution procedures and regulations, such as familiarity with research ethics committees, grant administration, or academic program operations.
• Project Experience in LMICs: Prior involvement in health or social research projects in low- or middle-income country settings (especially in Kenya or Sub-Saharan Africa). Experience supporting or implementing projects focused on public health or ageing populations in these contexts is an advantage.

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JOB SUMMARY

The Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK) is a multidisciplinary study that aims to collect data on health and economic wellbeing in later-life in Kenya. LOSHAK is a collaboration between the Aga Khan University - Nairobi and the University of Michigan - US along with collaborators across universities in the US and Kenya, The Kenya Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, and the KEMRI Air Pollution Centre of Excellence. The project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, will collect multimodal data (surveys, biomarkers, mobile wearables and health measures) from more than 8,000 older Kenyans, touching on nearly all aspects of physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and economic wellbeing. LOSHAK is part of large global networks of harmonized studies focused on late-life health and economic wellbeing (The Health and Retirement Studies Around the World Network and The Harmonized Cognitive Protocol Assessment Network). This study aims to inform public policy and public health planning in Kenya and neighboring countries, all of which are experiencing rapid population aging.

Working under the supervision of the Kenya LOSHAK Principal Investigator, this individual will help to advance LOSHAK’s scientific aims, which include: collecting population-representative data on older adults’ health and economic wellbeing, making data publicly available to the research community, and strengthening research capacity in Kenya. This individual will lead efforts to design, develop, and execute LOSHAK’s aims from the outset of the project, and will therefore play a critical role on the large and multidisciplinary project team. Strong emphasis will be placed on developing tactics to ensure timely, coordinated, and high-quality workflows across the large team.

Responsibilities

• The Project Manager will work with a US-based counterpart to manage implementation of LOSHAK study aims and will have responsibility for project management across all dimensions of the study.
• Lead all the project planning and administrative functions including budgeting, work planning, field implementation, collaborator and stakeholder coordination, procurement and reporting among others.
• Convene LOSHAK collaborators/co-investigators to develop survey modules in their areas of expertise.
• Work closely with local and international LOSHAK collaborators to ensure timely data management and report generation for quality assurance.
• Interface with partners to ensure smooth implementation and identify when changes need to be made.
• Conduct project meetings, track and analyze project progress, report on progress to study leadership.
• Prepare progress reports for partners and funders as needed.
• Support dialogue and education between NGOs, academia and government offices to ensure effective and efficient policy engagement.
• Assist the Kenya-based team with planning team meetings, interviewer trainings, and study pretest and pilot activities.
• Work with grants and finance administrative staff to monitor grant spending.
• Manage PhD students and post-doc recruitment and support.
• If/as needed, willingness to engage in a flexible work schedule to attend early morning meetings and/or late meetings and events to accommodate colleagues in diverse time zones
• Other responsibilities and/or projects as assigned by the study leadership
• International travel as needed

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public health, public policy, business, or other related field, and five years or more of professional project management experience.
• Outstanding organizational skills and ability to effectively manage numerous projects, simultaneously and in various stages of development, with a high attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze, compare and evaluate various courses of action and make independent decisions on matters of significance, free from immediate direction within the scope of job responsibilities, ability to manage multiple and competing priorities.
• Must have strong integrity, be highly proactive, have a high degree of problem-solving skills, be highly reliable, retain a sense of ownership and accountability for workload, be flexible and resilient, provide excellent customer service, and possess expert follow-up skills.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to interact with and build professional relationships with all individuals at all levels; appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Proficient computer skills are essential, including demonstrated proficiency with Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe PDFs, survey tools such as Qualtrics and Google Forms, and Zoom.
• Must be productive and flexible under pressure and able to meet deadlines.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of University or Research Institution environments, practices, rules and regulations.
• Previous experience leading the implementation of health projects in Low- or Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

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Role Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral Research Associate to lead and support key research activities for the LOSHAK project. The Research Associate will play a central role in study protocol development, regulatory approvals, data management and analysis, manuscript preparation, field coordination, stakeholder engagement, and overall quality control of the study. The ideal candidate is a recent PhD graduate in a health-related field (e.g. Public Health, Epidemiology, Population Health) with strong research methodology skills and some postdoctoral research experience. This is a full-time, five-year position in which the incumbent will work under the supervision of the LOSHAK Principal Investigator to ensure the study’s successful implementation and scientific excellence. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research on ageing in Africa. The successful candidate will gain experience in all phases of the research process – from conception to dissemination – and work closely with leading experts at Aga Khan University and the University of Michigan. The role is ideal for a recent PhD graduate looking to build an academic career in population health research while making a meaningful impact on policy and practice.

  Key Responsibilities

• Study Design & Protocol Development: Contribute to study conceptualization and design, including drafting and refining research protocols and instruments to meet the project’s objectives. Prepare documentation for Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (ISERC) submissions, and ensure all regulatory approvals are obtained and maintained throughout the project lifespan.
• Project Coordination: Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the project to meet milestones and timelines. This includes developing fieldwork plans, scheduling and supervising data collection activities, and monitoring project progress against targets. Ensure smooth collaboration across the multi-disciplinary project team (local and international) and proactively identify and resolve operational challenges.
• Development of Research Tools & SOPs: Lead the development and refinement of data collection tools (surveys, interview guides, assessment forms) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all aspects of study implementation. Continuously update study protocols and SOPs as needed to reflect best practices and lessons learned during the project.
• Field Staff Training & Supervision: Oversee the recruitment, training, and supervision of field staff, including enumerators, interviewers, and other research assistants and students. Develop training manuals and conduct training sessions to ensure field teams are well-versed in study procedures, ethical research conduct, and data collection techniques. Provide ongoing mentorship and support to field teams and enforce adherence to study protocols during fieldwork.
• Data Management & Quality Control: Working with the data team, support the establishment and management of robust data management processes for the project. Oversee data collection, entry, cleaning, and secure storage of study data. Ensure data quality by implementing real-time quality checks, field monitoring visits, and periodic audits of collected data. Follow and enforce all project-related SOPs and guidelines during field implementation and take corrective action to address any deviations.
• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Work with LOSHAK statisticians to conduct statistical data analyses using appropriate software (e.g. Stata, R) to answer the study’s research questions. Work with the investigative team to interpret results in the context of existing evidence and the Kenyan setting. Apply rigorous research methods and, where appropriate, novel analytical approaches to generate high-quality findings.
• Reporting & Documentation: Support the preparation of regular project progress reports and updates for the Principal Investigator, funders, and other stakeholders. Document all research activities thoroughly, including maintaining records of data collection, training, and any protocol amendments. Assist in preparing technical reports and grant reports as required.
• Manuscript Writing & Publication: Lead and contribute to the writing of scientific manuscripts to publish the study’s findings in peer-reviewed journals. Conduct literature reviews and collaborate with co-investigators to frame the study results within the broader scientific literature. Take primary responsibility for drafting manuscripts, incorporating co-authors’ inputs, and managing the submission and revision process with journals.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Dissemination: Engage with a range of stakeholders at various stages of the project to ensure its success and impact. Liaise with community leaders, local health officials, and district stakeholders to gain community entry and support for field activities. Work with national and international collaborators (including the University of Michigan team) to harmonize study protocols and share learnings. Participate in disseminating research findings to appropriate audiences – including policymakers, academic conferences, and community forums – and lead the preparation of policy briefs and presentations to translate findings into actionable insights.
• Quality Assurance: Uphold the highest standards of research ethics and integrity throughout the project. Ensure compliance with all institutional and national research regulations (e.g., obtaining renewals of ethics approvals, adhering to data protection and privacy laws). Continuously monitor study processes for potential issues or biases and implement improvements to maintain scientific rigor.

 Qualifications and Experience

• Education: PhD in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Population Health, or a related health sciences field. The candidate should have strong training in research methods and study design relevant to population health research.
• Research Experience: A minimum of 2 years of relevant research experience post-PhD, preferably including involvement in large-scale field research or longitudinal studies. Experience in health or demographic research (especially on ageing or non-communicable diseases) in sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable.
• Data Analysis Skills: Proven skills in quantitative data management and analysis, including proficiency in statistical software such as Stata, R or Python. Ability to manage and analyze large datasets and perform advanced statistical analyses is required. Familiarity with qualitative research methods and mixed-methods analysis is an added advantage.
• Publication Track Record: A strong record of scholarly output, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations in relevant topics. Excellent scientific writing and literature review skills are essential.
• Project Management & Coordination Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage research projects or significant components thereof – from protocol development and ethics submissions to field implementation and team coordination. Experience developing research instruments and overseeing data collection in community settings is highly valued.
• Leadership & Teamwork: Excellent organizational and leadership skills, including the ability to supervise and motivate field teams, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines. Capacity to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as effectively as part of a multidisciplinary, multicultural team.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders – from community members to academic partners. Proficiency in English (written and oral) is required, with superb report writing and presentation skills. Knowledge of Kiswahili or other local languages is an asset for community engagement (though not mandatory).
• Ethical and Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with research ethics processes and regulations in Kenya (or similar contexts), including experience preparing IRB applications and ensuring compliance with human subjects protections. A thorough understanding of data security and confidentiality practices.
• Flexibility & Commitment: Willingness to travel within Kenya to oversee fieldwork activities as needed, including to rural or remote areas. Ability to adapt to dynamic field conditions and work under pressure while maintaining attention to detail. A strong work ethic, professional integrity, and passion for improving health outcomes for older populations.