Behavioural Research Scientist ; Climate impacts on health x1, Harare/MT Darwin
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe
- Expires 20 Jun 2025
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
CeSHHAR Zimbabwe is an organisation that specialises in population health research and programming, including on sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. CeSHHAR has an extensive national, regional, and international academic and community partnership network. CeSHHAR has a diverse range of funders which include the Wellcome Trust, Gates Foundation, United States NIH, UK Medical Research Council, European Commission, Templeton World Charity Foundation, and Global Fund for AIDS TB and Malaria. We partner very closely with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (UK), Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Care and international and regional centres of research excellence to evaluate national programmes and determine the impact, uptake, and cost effectiveness of novel reproductive health interventions. The Behavioural Research Scientist will be reporting to the Director of the Department of Climate, Environment and Health, and is responsible for leading the scientific aspects of the research under HIGH Horizon (EU-funded) and HAPI (Wellcome Trust) in Mt Darwin District. The two projects address knowledge gaps around the direct and indirect impacts of ambient heat exposure on maternal and newborn health. Applied research methods include photovoice, participant observations, ethnography, co-production workshops, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. The projects contribute to designing individual/household/community and health facility-level interventions for protecting target populations against environmental impacts.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Behavioural Research Scientist is responsible for ensuring compliance with protocols and overall study objectives, including:
• Research leadership: Understand and applying the principles of behavioural science to real-world health problems as a result of environmental exposures; Spearhead the design and implementation of research projects within the Climate, Environment and Health Department, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives.
• Protocol development: Collaborate with Investigators in crafting research protocols. Facilitate timely protocol approvals and maintain an organized system for protocol renewals, payments, and reporting.
• Intervention design: Conduct research to understand the factors that influence behaviour and use this information to develop interventions to promote positive behaviour change.
• Data analysis: Lead the analysis of (mainly) qualitative data using behavioural science frameworks; Develop and test theories about human behaviour and its impact.
• Research Coordination: Oversee the strategic planning, execution, and synchronization of research activities, ensuring alignment with established protocols and project timelines; Supervise research personnel, offering training and continuous support to ensure adherence to study protocols, ethical standards, and data gathering methods.
• Research Administration: maintaining complete Investigator site file; supervise the crafting and translation of essential research documents, and secure necessary regulatory and ethical clearances for studies.
• Quality Assurance and SOPs: Design and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for research undertakings. Periodically conduct audits to ascertain consistent adherence to SOPs.
• Grant writing: Contribute to development of new research grant applications in line with Departmental strategy, both as Principal Investigator and as Co-investigator.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Engage proactively with interdisciplinary teams, focusing on pivotal questions at the intersection of climate change and health.
• Academic Contributions: Contribute to manuscript development, infusing academic outputs and reports with nuanced social science perspectives; Presenting research findings, and communicating with stakeholders.
• Leading the Social Science Working Group: You will take the lead role in facilitating and guiding the Social Science Working Group's activities at CeSHHAR. This includes developing agendas, scheduling meetings, steering discussions, and coordinating with group members to ensure the successful execution of planned initiatives.
• Active Participation in CeSHHAR's Citizenry: The candidate is expected to actively contribute to the sense of community and mutual support within CeSHHAR. This may involve participating in regular meetings and discussions, providing mentorship to junior team members, and actively contributing to the organization's culture and values.
• Additional Responsibilities: Execute other duties as directed by the Director of Climate, Environment and Health.
Qualifications and Experience
A PhD in behavioural sciences, psychology, social sciences, medical anthropology, or similar. Publications in climate-related topics is an added advantage. Possession of a valid GCP Certificate and Research Ethics. At least 8 years of relevant research experience. Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively as part of a research team with a good understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods of research; Prior experience managing a field team. Conversant in Microsoft Office packages and possession of excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Self-motivated and good leadership skills. Ability to work with people from different backgrounds.
How to Apply
Step 1:Click The Apply Button Below
Step 2: If you are interested in the above position, please email your CV and application cover letter addressed to Human Resources and send to vacancies@ceshhar.org . Indicate the position and duty station you are applying for in the subject line. Please be advised that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates who have applied before need not reapply. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
CeSHHAR Zimbabwe is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.
The successful candidate will undergo relevant background checks and will be required to commit in writing to comply with the CeSHHAR Zimbabwe safeguarding guidelines.
