Job Description: Director of Research

Overview

The Director of Research is an integral member of King Faisal Hospital Rwanda’s (KFH) Division of Education, Training, and Research. The Directorate of Research oversees all research-related activities at KFH, including internal and external grants; the Institutional Review Board (IRB); progress monitoring of ongoing research activities; and research capacity building initiatives. S/he plays a key role in developing systems and training programs to build the research capacity and output at KFH. S/he also serves as the primary liaison with other research institutions and researchers with regards to ongoing collaboration and projects. The Director of Research will be seconded to King Faisal Hospital Rwanda on a full-time basis.

Contract Duration: One-year with the possibility of renewal

Reports to: Chief Education, Training, and Research Officer

Roles & Responsibilities

Strategy & Program Development

• Oversee the implementation of research-related policies, including in the management of internal and external grants
• Develop and ensure the proper implementation of research protocols and guidelines
• Monitor the ongoing research activity at KFH and implement measures to further increase research capacity and output
• Provide support to the Institutional Review Board and ensure the ongoing efficiency and regulatory compliance of it
• Ensures that the hospital facilities are conducive to conducting research, including infrastructure, access to academic resources, and policies and procedures
• Supervise staff members in the Directorate of Research
• Any other responsibilities as assigned

Grant & Partnership Management

• Establish academic research partnerships to further advance the research agenda at KFH and monitor the activities of existing partnerships
• Write grant applications for external grants and serve as a point of contact for KFH researchers applying for grants
• Provide technical support to other KFH staff and faculty applying for grants
• Ensure that grant procedures and requirements are followed, including accurately and timely financial management
• Liaise with the finance team to ensure that all regulatory compliance requirements are followed for research grants, including hiring procedures, tax declarations, etc.

Training & Capacity Building

• Develop research capacity building programs for different stakeholders at KFH
• Develop curriculum and deliver short courses to KFH stakeholders in identified skills gap areas in research or grant writing
• Liaise with medical schools and partner institutions on the implementation of research courses relevant to student degree programs

Qualifications

• Minimum of a master’s degree in health sciences field, including public health, global health, health management, or relevant field required
• Terminal degree (doctorate or PhD) in a relevant field preferred
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in a hospital setting or health sciences academic institution
• Proven track record of ongoing research activity and academic publications
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Fluency in oral and written English; Kinyarwanda preferred