HEAD, RESEARCH GOVERNANCE

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 seeks to recruit for Head, Research Governance. This role is responsible for establishment and delivery of research and data governance practices and frameworks. This involves the establishment of appropriate systems for the assurance of good research governance standards at the division, including identification and refinement of appropriate standards. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and review research and data governance policies, guidelines, and processes to ensure good research and data governance standards. 

• Provide expertise, guidance and/or training on good governance practice in research.

• Monitor relevant regulatory and policy developments to ensure changes are incorporated into institutional policies and procedures in a timely manner.

• Maintains a robust system for internally reviewing and approving research protocols to ensure that they meet expected standards and obligations for responsible and ethical research.

• Ensure compliance with applicable requirements, laws and regulations for all research activities undertaken by APHRC and its key partners. 

• Provide information, education, and advice on research governance matters to stakeholders involved in the conduct and management of research in accordance with international, national and local policies, guidelines, and other reference material adopted by the jurisdiction.

• Undertake risk management assessments and implement risk mitigation measures related to research activities and procedures.

• Oversee and manage the quality assurance and control processes that monitor compliance to research governance practices.

• Design and deliver projects to develop effective ethical and regulatory processes.

• Ensure that reports to regulatory bodies are submitted as required.

• Ensure documentation and archival of all ethical correspondence relating to research protocols and modifications. 

• Oversee record management pertaining to research and data governance activities and produce management reports as necessary.

• Develop governance agreements and review in collaboration with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

• Act as chair/ secretary to relevant research governance committees and ensures mandates, objectives and deliverables are achieved.

• Orient new research staff on the research governance system.

• Oversee unit budget development and management

• Fundraising.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

• PhD level degree in Social Sciences, or other related fields.

• At least 10 years of relevant post-qualification experience.

• Familiarity with the population health and wellbeing research and development landscape.