PhD Program Coordinator

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Butaro, Rwanda

Job Title: PhD Program Coordinator

Reports to: Director, Institute of Global Health

Program: PhD in Global Health Equity, with cross-support to the MGHD program

Location: University of Global Health Equity, Rwanda

Position Overview

The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented PhD Program Coordinator to support the development, coordination, and delivery of UGHE’s PhD in Global Health Equity. This role emphasizes guiding research activities, supporting student practicum and dissertation work, and ensuring smooth coordination of academic requirements.

The Coordinator will work closely with faculty, students, and external partners to facilitate high-quality training in research methods, ensure effective practicum placements, and contribute to program evaluation and improvement. A central part of the role will also be supporting and coordinating the MGHD practicum program, teaching across the several MGHD programs and other academic programs at UGHE as requested, aligning master’s and doctoral training to strengthen UGHE’s academic mission.

 Responsibilities

Program Coordination (40%)

• Manage the day-to-day coordination of the PhD program, including academic calendars, course scheduling, and communications.
• Support curriculum development and integration of research and practicum components.
• Coordinate the MGHD practicum program, including placement processes, faculty engagement, and evaluation.
• Liaise between faculty, students, and administrative offices to ensure efficient program operations.
• PhD committee membership? Chair?
• Communication with accreditation bodies, responsible for working with the registrar and EDWC?
• Develop PhD policies and guidelines?
• Follow student progress and follow up? Maybe a point person to give periodic feedback and progressive assessment?

Student Research & Practicum Guidance (40%)

• Support PhD and MGHD students in identifying practicum and research opportunities with local, national, and international partners.
• Provide guidance on research design, ethics applications, and progress monitoring.
• Assist with organizing research seminars, workshops, and proposal defenses.
• Track student progress in research milestones and ensure compliance with institutional requirements.
• Teach at research modules MBBS, MGHD, others?

Administrative & Reporting (15%)

• Maintain program records, including practicum placement data, research outputs, and student progress reports.
• Prepare program updates and reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support accreditation and quality assurance processes.

Strategic Support (5%)

• Contribute to continuous improvement of research training and practicum modules.
• Participate in academic and administrative committees as assigned.
• Provide input into UGHE’s broader strategy for global health education and research.
• Contribute the UGHE visions and missions as requested by leadership

 Qualifications

• PhD training that includes significant and diverse research methods experience, especially focused on global health, equity/health disparities, applied biostatistical principles and study design, epidemiology approaches, qualitative and mixed-methods research, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience in academic program coordination, especially in PhD programs, preferably in higher education or research settings.
• Strong background in research methods and practicum coordination.
• Experience mentoring or supporting graduate-level students in research and professional development.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Familiarity with academic requirements of doctoral-level training.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken); Kinyarwanda or French is an asset.
• Willingness to be based in Rwanda, with travel between Kigali and Butaro campuses.