Program Coordinator

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a leading Africa-based, African-led, international research institution headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. APHRC conducts policy-relevant research on population, health, education, urbanization and related development issues in sub-Saharan Africa.

APHRC Data Science Program

The Data Science Program at APHRC was operationalized in the 2022-2026 Strategic plan, with aim of increasing data use and re-use to generate data-driven evidence to inform population health and livelihoods in Africa. The program recognizes the need to leverage advanced in Big-data analytics, Machine Learning and Artificial intelligence tools to generate robust evidence.

Data Science Without Borders (DSWB) Project

This initiative is a 3-year pathfinder project funded by the Wellcome Trust Foundation to expand the use of data science in Africa. Many African countries generate vast amounts of data, and the ability to leverage new advances in data analysis using tools such as machine learning and artificial intelligence should transcend without national borders. This is particularly true in Africa, where different countries have varying levels of digital maturity. The project will be executed in three countries: Cameroon, Ethiopia and Senegal and coordinated in Nairobi, Kenya.

APHRC seeks to recruit a Program Coordinator to support the DSWB project under the Data Science Program. S/he will plan, direct, and coordinate project activities across the different African countries.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for identifying realistic and timely project goals, support defining of the project scope.
• Develop the implementation plan and road map for the DSWB from project inception to completion.
• Under the direction of the PI, build and manage relationships with the investigators in the three pathfinders and global collaborating institutions.
• Work closely with collaborators to ensure support provided to the pathfinders in a quality, timely and conducted in an efficient and respectful manner.
• Coordinate the planned capacity building activities between pathfinders and collaborators.
• Ensure internal and external project reports on the status, progress and outcomes are submitted to the funder on time.
• Review project progress and training reports for quality assurance.
• Oversee project meetings, outreach efforts to continental bodies and various partners.
• Contribute to development of the project workplan and planning of key meetings.
• Manage and oversee staff working on the project to ensure project objectives are achieved and timely delivery of project deliverables.
• Support project visibility and branding.
• Participate in problem solving activities including resolving issues, conflicts, and derailments that may occur during project implementation.
• Ensure that the project deliverables meet quality standards and funders expectations.
• Identify potential risk and develop mitigation strategies for minimize project disruptions and delays among the pathfinders.
• Manage and oversee project resources to ensure resources are spent according to agreed allocations.

Qualifications and Desirable Experience

• A master’s degree in project management, health systems, or related field.
• At least 12 years’ experience in managing local and international projects.
• Experience in managing large scale (multi-year, multi-team, multi-country) projects in a managerial role.
• Good understanding of international collaborations and global partnerships.
• Good communication skills to effectively engage with stakeholders, investigators from the pathfinders and leads of various collaborating partners.
• Experience working in a research or academic institution conducting research.
• Experience engaging policy makers, researchers and key stakeholders at national, regional, continental or global levels.
• Excellent written, communication and presentation skills.
• Experience in corporate branding and marketing using digital tools.
• Experience in working in data science -driven project.
• Experience in grant writing.
• Bilingual language (English and French) skills will be an added advantage.