The Carter Center: Sr. Associate Director, Research (RB/LF/SCH/ML)

SUMMARY:

The Senior Associate Director-Research (Sr AD-Research) serves in a senior role leading the Epidemiology, Research and Innovation (ERI) unit of the Carter Center’s River Blindness, Lymphatic Filariasis, Schistosomiasis and Malaria Programs (RB/LF/SCH/ML). Responsibilities include supervising the ERI unit that conducts program monitoring and evaluation activities. The Sr. AD-Research oversees the development, design and implementation of surveys and operational research to support disease elimination that may include studies of disease transmission, ecology and vectors, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic evaluations.

Due to the travel locations, Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) will be required.

FORMAL JOB DESCRIPTION:

1. Responsible for strengthening key research pillars, including driving and supporting project design, implementation, and programmatic innovation to understand disease etiology and vectors, develop diagnostics, manage clinical trials, and maximize genomic applications.
2. Responsible for supporting technical working groups and routine cross-collaboration.
3. Under the guidance of the Program Director, the Sr AD-Research provides technical and operational leadership to Atlanta and international program teams by supporting the program’s knowledge acquisition, evaluation and dissemination through organizational reports, peer-reviewed publications and active engagement and advocacy with partners.
4. Will be responsible for facilitating, convening and disseminating findings in national and international meetings.
5. Manages applied research conducted by internal/external collaborators, supports proposal development and partner relationship-building to advance program goals.
6. The Sr AD-Research supervises technical and support staff and manages research project budgets.
7. Lead unit team meetings. Assist in planning, coordinating, and executing workshops, program reviews, and other meetings.
8. Oversee, support, and review submissions by staff, students, contractors, collaborators, and national program staff to scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals for publication.
9. Maintain and expand current knowledge base by attending and participating in research and scientific conferences.
10. Directs the planning, development, monitoring and evaluation and operations of the Epidemiology, Research, and Innovation unit. Coordinates with staff epidemiologists, administrators, partners, governments, and subject matter experts on monitoring and research activity prioritization and implementation.
11. Manage budgets and supervise technical and support staff.
12. Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A doctoral degree in a field related to area of research and seven years of related experience at a senior level, OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Previous supervisory and program/project management experience and international health research management experience post-training is required.
• International travel required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Doctorate degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related public health field.
• Experience in neglected tropical diseases or malaria.
• Ability to apply epidemiological principles, and/or procedures to investigate, review, analyze, and/or determine the risk factors for infectious disease.
• Proven ability to independently complete all stages of a research project: writing a concept paper; writing a proposal; building a budget; obtaining all levels of agreement within the country context; developing a manual of operations; developing data collection tools; understanding the need for review and ethical clearance; recruiting and training field staff; data collection; data entry and management; analysis; interpretation; preparation of reports and manuscripts; and dissemination of results.
• Proven ability to work successfully in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and/or the Caribbean, and experience successfully collaborating with in-country partners to conduct research in this setting.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis, utilizing qualitative and quantitative analytic software to generate reports and analyses.
• Skills in GIS techniques and spatial analysis and in creating databases and maintaining / updating data layers.
• The candidate should have a considerable publication portfolio within the field which includes preparing, submitting, and publishing manuscripts on the results of scientific findings in relevant scientific journals.
• Proven experience with mentoring students.
• Experience with scientific societies, committees (national and international), and manuscript review at the international level.

NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to The Carter Center on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs. Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines. All non-exempt employees must reside within the state of Georgia. The Carter Center reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.