0709 203000 - Nairobi 0709 983000 - Kilifi

0709 203000 - NRB 0709 983000 - Kilifi

0709 203000 - NRB | 0709 983000 - Kilifi

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Senior Post Doctoral Researcher- (Lead Senior Clinical Scientist)

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a state corporation established through the Science and Technology (Amendment) Act of 1979, as the national body responsible for carrying out health research in Kenya. KEMRl’s vision is “to be a leading centre of excellence in research for human health,” and its mission is “to improve human health and quality of life through research, capacity building, innovation, and service delivery.”

The KEMRI-Wellcome Research Programme (KWRP) is a partnership between KEMRI, Wellcome, and the University of Oxford. The Programme established in 1989, has evolved from conducting research in the immunology and epidemiology of malaria to a world class research institute conducting multi-disciplinary research that spans molecular biology to health systems and policy research.

The KEMRI-Wellcome Research Programme (KWRP) seeks to invite applications from experienced person to fill the following position;

Job Location: Nairobi

Job Type: Full-time

Reference Number: KWTRP/26/SPDR- Clinical/008

Job Grade: 9.01

Country: Kenya

JOB PURPOSE:

Provide scientific leadership and day-to-day management of the multi country evaluation of the Beginnings Fund health system package for maternal and newborn care. Accountable for evaluation design oversight (RE AIM framing), workstream integration (people, products, systems), data governance, stakeholder engagement, and overall delivery of outputs across ten countries.

DESCRIPTION:

Reports to: Principal Investigator (PI)

Direct reports: Implementation Scientist (Postdoc); Senior Statistician/Data Scientist; Senior Data Management RO.

Indirect reports: None

Budget and Resource Responsibility: None

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide overall scientific leadership for the multi-country evaluation, ensuring alignment with protocol objectives across mortality impact, coverage and quality, implementation fidelity, health system performance, and workforce capacity.
Lead the cross-country evaluation workplan, ensuring coherence across analytical domains and consistency of methods and outputs.
Oversee the design and iterative refinement of the evaluation framework, integrating implementation science approaches.
Establish and enforce standardized data definitions, indicators, measurement plans, SOPs, and harmonized tools across countries.
Ensure the quality, standardization, and analytical readiness of all core datasets, including data quality assurance processes and harmonized analytic scripts within a federated data governance model.
Lead the design and governance of the federated data architecture, ensuring compliance with national data policies, secure in-country data hosting, anonymisation, and script-based analytic workflows.
Supervise the strengthening of routine data systems, ensuring completeness, timeliness, internal consistency, and alignment with national HMIS and DHIS2 platforms.
Line manage evaluation workstream leads (implementation science, data science/biostatistics, data management) and provide mentorship to early-career staff.
Guide analytical workstreams covering mortality modelling, process and implementation evaluation, cost-effectiveness, contextual analysis, and workforce analytics.
Coordinate engagement with in-country implementation partners, Ministries of Health, and national stakeholders, including permissions, data-sharing agreements, and dissemination; contribute to Scientific and Data Oversight Committee processes.
Lead adaptive learning cycles and internal learning forums, ensuring systematic feedback between evidence generation and programme implementation.
Oversee the production of cross-country and country-specific outputs, including quarterly technical updates, annual evaluation and synthesis reports, policy briefs, manuscripts, and dissemination packages.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Clinician with a PhD in Epidemiology/Public Health/Health Systems (or equivalent)
5 years post PHD experience in relevant field and research

Very good experience in leading large, multi-country evaluations

Demonstrated expertise in implementation science and advanced quantitative methods.
Strong track record working with routine facility data systems, HMIS/DHIS2, and federated data governance.

DESIRABLE

Demonstrated expertise in implementation science and advanced quantitative methods.
Strong track record working with routine facility data systems, HMIS/DHIS2, and federated data governance.
Grant/report writing
Advanced statistics (ITS, multilevel), data governance, mentoring, and cross functional coordination

COMPETENCIES:

Demonstrated high levels of integrity and confidentiality
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work with diverse, multidisciplinary teams and build strong relationships with internal and external collaborators
Excellent analytical skills and ability to deliver quality outputs within strict timelines.
Strong team coordination and decision-making skills

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS:

The position will be based at the KEMRI-Wellcome Research Programme in Nairobi, Kenya but be flexible to travel to other partner or collaborating institutions.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

All applications for roles in KEMRI and its partners (including KWRP) are centrally applied for using https://www.kemri.go.ke/ E-recruitment portal. To apply for this post, you must register as a user. Log into your account, then proceed to the vacancies, view the post and click on the button: “Apply Now”

Applications which should include your CV, Cover letter, copies of certified academic certificates, testimonials and other relevant documents should be made through KEMRI Website

Successful candidates will be required to provide the following: Certificate of good conduct,

Higher Education Loans Board compliance certificate, KRA Tax compliance certificate, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission clearance.

Please Note, the subsequent recruitment process after application, will be carried out by the KWRP HR team and all communication will be from the official KWRP emails.

Applicants are required to state their current/last salary.

Applicants are required to provide a valid email address and telephone number for communication regarding interview invitations. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. During the interview, shortlisted candidates must present the ORIGINALS of the following documents: National Identity Card or Passport, academic and professional certificates, academic transcripts, testimonials, a detailed curriculum vitae (CV), and a valid clearance certificate (Certificate of Good Conduct or its equivalent).

All the applications to be done through KEMRI Website https:///www.kemri.go.ke/e- recruitment –

E-Recruitment Portal on or before 21^st April,2026 by 5.00 p.m.