ICAP in Swaziland Director of Research

The Research Director will be based at ICAP-Swaziland Country Office and will work under the direct supervision of the ICAP-Swaziland Country Director, with technical supervision from the Senior Research Director, ICAP in New York. S/he will focus on activities related to the implementation and dissemination of ICAP-supported research in addition to the development of research infrastructure and capacity for research in-country. All activities will be conducted in collaboration with Ministry of Health and other partners in the country.

Key responsibilities:

The Director of Research is responsible for overseeing the research projects being conducted by ICAP in Swaziland. The Director will ensure the appropriate planning and execution of all research activities within established budgets and timelines, ensuring all activities occur in compliance with the appropriate regulations and donors' requirements. S/he will supervise the efforts of internal staff and coordinate external resources to ensure timely implementation of research activities. The Research Director will be responsible for research training and mentoring activities for the teams involved in specific studies. S/he will assist in planning and implementation of all activities related to enhancing research expertise and experiences in Swaziland. S/he will work closely key ICAP technical staff in NY and Swaziland as well as Ministry of Health and academic institutions in Swaziland to

• Oversee the research activities conducted by ICAP in Swaziland,
• Provide support to the Ministry of Health in developing a research agenda and capacity building plan,
• In collaboration with Ministry of Health and other in-country institutions, develop a plan for enhancing research capacity in the Kingdom of Swaziland and, in collaboration with such institutions and funders, guide the implementation of the joint plan
• Assist in training and mentoring of individuals involved in various research projects,
• Ensure engagement of Ministry of Health and other relevant individuals in the ICAP-supported research activities in-country
• Supervise research staff members and provide support to study coordinators and other study team members,
• Provide input on design and implementation of research studies,
• Provide technical support to develop and implement standard operating procedures for research and study operating manuals, as needed,
• Assist with exploration of new research initiatives,
• Assist with development of presentations and writing of reports and publications,
• Provide updates and status reports to Principal Investigators and ICAP senior Management on regular basis, report on performance against the plan,
• Assist in periodic assessments of research training needs of ICAP in Swaziland staff and, in coordination with the ICAP-NY Research Unit, develop and implement training plan,
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with the Ministry of Health, Swaziland Ethics Committee (SEC), academic institutions and community based organizations,
• Assist with other relevant activities as needed.

Minimum requirements:

• A PhD, DrPH or MD with experience in conducting clinical and/or public health research, preferably related to HIV
• Experience with writing scientific grant proposals and scientific publications and in academic presentations
• At least five years of relevant research and supervisory experience
• Experience with training and mentorship
• Proficiency in English. Proficiency in SiSwati will be an advantage.
• Excellent writing skills and experience in writing of project reports
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills and an ability to develop and maintain good relationships with colleagues and program partners

How to apply: 

Interested candidates may send their application letters, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), and certified copies of academic and professional certificates to: icap-jobs-swaziland@columbia.edu . Please include Director of Research in the subject line of your email.