The Senior Associate Director-Research serves in a senior role as the technical subject matter expert developing and implementing new tools to accelerate the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, and responsible for strengthening key research pillars. The position supports the activities outlined in the strategic plan for health. This includes driving and supporting project design, implementation, and programmatic innovation (including impact of climate change) to understand disease etiology and vectors, develop diagnostics, manage clinical trials, and maximize genomic applications. Responsible for supporting technical working groups, including implementation of field work, and routine cross collaboration. Under the direction of the Director, the Sr. Associate Director provides technical and operational leadership to the team and supports the program’s visibility and knowledge production overall and in key thematic areas through organizational reports, peer-reviewed publications, and active engagement and advocacy with partners. This position will be responsible for facilitating, convening, and disseminating findings in national and international fora. Manages applied research conducted by internal/external partners, supports proposal development and partner relationship-building to advance the research and innovation agenda. Manages budgets and supervises technical and support staff. Due to the travel locations, Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) will be required.

FORMAL JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Senior Associate Director-Research of The Carter Center (Sr AD-Research) serves in a senior role as the technical subject matter expert developing and implementing new tools to accelerate the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. Responsible for strengthening key research pillars. This includes driving and supporting project design, implementation, and programmatic innovation to understand disease etiology and vectors, develop diagnostics, manage clinical trials, and maximize genomic applications. In addition, the Sr AD-Research is responsible for supporting technical working groups and routine cross-collaboration. Under the direction of the Director, the Sr AD provides technical and operational leadership to the teams and supports the program's visibility and knowledge production overall and in key thematic areas through organizational reports, peer-reviewed publications, and active engagement and advocacy with partners. Will be responsible for facilitating, convening, and disseminating findings in national and international fora. Also, manages applied research conducted by internal/external partners, and supports proposal development and partner relationship-building to advance the research agenda. The Sr AD manages budgets and supervises technical and support staff. Performs other related duties as required.

A doctoral degree in a field related to area of research and seven years of related experience at a senior level, OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Previous supervisory and program/project management experience and international health research management experience post-training is required. International travel required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A Doctorate degree in a public health field (epidemiology, demography, biostatistics, parasitology, etc.) with at least seven years of relevant experience. Experience with project management and managing field research teams. Ability to apply epidemiological principles, and/or procedures to investigate, review, analyze, and/or determine the risk factors for infectious disease. Proven ability to independently work through all stages of a research project: writing a concept paper; writing a proposal; building a budget; obtaining all levels of agreement within the country context; developing a manual of operations; developing data collection tools; understanding the need for review and ethical clearance; recruiting and training field staff; data collection; data entry and management; analysis; interpretation; preparation of reports and manuscripts; and dissemination of results. Proven ability to work successfully in sub-Saharan Africa, and experience successfully collaborating with in-country partners to conduct research, including randomized trials, in this setting. Proficiency in statistical analysis, utilizing qualitative and quantitative analytic software to generate reports and analyses. Proficiency in the interpretation and use of GIS techniques and spatial analysis for programmatic and research use. Skill in preparing documents with accuracy, in creating databases and maintaining and updating data layers. The candidate should have a considerable publication portfolio within the field which includes preparing, submitting, and publishing manuscripts on the results of scientific findings in relevant scientific journals. A publication record in trachoma is preferred. Team player, with good communication and personnel management skills. Proven experience with mentoring students and colleagues is preferred. Experience with scientific societies, committees (national and international), and manuscript review at the international level is preferred.