TITLE: Researcher, Associate I or Associate II

REPORTING TO: Country Director, Ethiopia

LOCATION: Ethiopia

JOBS SUPERVISED: N/A

ASSIGNMENT LENGTH: Indefinite

POSITION SUMMARY: Powered by our local leadership and enhanced by our global connections, the Population Council Inc. delivers optimal solutions for underserved populations and communities in the more than 30 countries in which we work around the world. Our global network comprises of international offices, independent national affiliates, strategic partnerships, and individual presence. In each of our international offices or independent national affiliates, Research Associate I/II’s play a crucial role in driving forward research initiatives at the country and/or regional level and contribute their expertise to the achievement of the Councils Strategic Plan and the Global Research Agenda. Our strategic global presence presents an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that is addressing critical global challenges.

We are seeking a Social and Behavioral Science Researcher with a track record of spearheading innovative research that is responsive to the pressing challenges of vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa.  Successful candidates will: a) lead and grow dedicated research portfolios; b) identify and drive opportunities to develop and expand areas of work through strategic resource mobilization; c) rigorously quality assure outputs through effective supervision of research teams; and, d) actively cultivate and enhance the capacity of team members through hands-on mentorship. Through collaboration with diverse country, regional and global teams and access to cutting-edge resources, Research Associate I/II’s have an extraordinary platform to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. 

Our ideal candidate has demonstrated expertise in implementation science, particularly in global health and/or development with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and choice, adolescents and youth, gender, migration, and/or climate and environmental studies. If you are motivated to be part of a community committed to conducting research that can have a meaningful impact, we want to connect with you.

*Candidates must be local nationals of the country where they will work, or regional non-nationals from LMICs holding, or able to acquire and maintain, the proper work permits/visas.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1. Lead/support the implementation of research projects at the national and regional level, including designing and managing new research activities, and conducting secondary analyses and systematic reviews based on available data at the Council (and beyond) on topics of interest. 

2. Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, including timelines, milestones, and budgets, in collaboration with finance, project and administrative teams. Coordinate the effective utilization of resources, including project personnel, funding and equipment.

3. Identify potential risks to project success and implement strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring project continuity and delivery.

4. Provide intellectual leadership in disseminating and communicating the Council’s research results at national, regional, and international levels through presentations, preparation of reports, and publications of papers in high impact peer-reviewed journals.

5. Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior researchers and collaborators, fostering a culture of innovation, and collaboration.

6. Enhance the utilization of research findings by working with partners to identify mechanisms for ensuring adaptation and scale-up of interventions with proven effectiveness.

7. Lead country fundraising activities by maintaining relationships with key donors and developing proposals for new research activities in focus geographic areas.

8. Build strategic partnerships with government and civil society groups to enable the uptake of emerging evidence.

9. Represent Population Council’s country office internally, by collaborating across countries and divisions; and externally, to relevant stakeholders.

10. Other duties may be required by the position.

In addition, Researcher Associate II’s will:

11. Spearhead the identification of emerging trends and gaps in global health research, developing a strategic vision for the exploration and expansion of new research areas.

12. Lead country, regional and/or global fundraising activities by maintaining relationships with key donors and developing proposals for new research activities in focus geographic areas.

13. Establish thought leadership in select areas of research by actively contributing to scholarly discourse, publishing influential papers, and participating in key conferences and forums.

14. Oversee and ensure the quality of multiple research projects, including proposal and study tool preparation and review, technical and financial reporting, ethics review and compliance with donor requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

We understand that there are many paths to acquiring expertise and experience and strong candidates may not have every qualification listed here. We encourage applications from individuals with diverse and/or nontraditional backgrounds who bring passion, skills, and experience in many or most of these areas. 

1. Doctoral degree in social science, medicine, public health, with related field experience in sexual and reproductive health rights, and choices; gender equality and equity; empowerment of adolescents and young people; and climate and environmental changes.

2. Minimum 2 years (Associate I) or 6 years (Associate II) of relevant post-doctoral professional experience 

3. Excellent English written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.

4. Proven track record of responsiveness, flexibility, and ability to manage multiple concurrent activities/tasks and consistently take responsibility for high-quality deliverables.

5. Proven ability to understand, collaborate with, and cultivate relationships among key staff and leaders from diverse and multicultural global research and donor institutions. 

6. Excellent diplomatic, representational, problem-solving, management, and interpersonal skills.

7. Understanding of bureaucratic systems in Africa and a demonstrated ability to work with all levels of national and international staff within a complex research and technical assistance organization.

8. Commitment to the Population Council's mission and values of equity, inclusion, and social justice.

9. Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as necessary.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ASSOCIATE IIs:

10. Experience with leading research studies, including supervising data collection and publication of papers in peer review journals.

11. Experience securing research funding, managing budgets, and overseeing research projects from inception to completion.

12. Ability to lead, motivate, and supervise a team working on both intervention and research activities.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary range and benefits will be in accordance with the pay scale and benefits structure in the relevant Council international office. Our international offices provide competitive benefits packages including health insurance available immediately upon hire, generous annual and sick leave, and paid parental leave.

We strive to provide an environment of professional growth and development. 

Application Deadline: October 9, 2024

When applying through the web portal please attach your CV and Cover Letter in Word or PDF format.

The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental institution that seeks to improve the well-being and reproductive health of current and future generations around the world and to help achieve a humane, equitable, and sustainable balance between people and resources. The Council conducts biomedical, social science, and public health research and helps build research capacities in developing countries. Established in 1952, the Council is governed by an international board of trustees. Its New York headquarters supports a global network of country offices. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described.  If you know of a qualified candidate or are interested in this position, please apply at: http://www.popcouncil.org/employment/index.asp. 

The Population Council provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person with regard to age, color, creed, national origin, disability, political belief, veteran status, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered. The Council especially encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to Black people and people of African descent, Indigenous people, people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, including people who identify as transgender, non-binary, or gender expansive, people with disabilities, first-generation college graduates, and those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. The Population Council is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.