Senior Research Scientist - Public Health Foundation of India (Apply by: 10 July 2014)

Position Vacant : Senior Research Scientist

Position Code : PHFI/2014/144

Place of Posting : PHFI, New Delhi

Organization Name : Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI)

Company Profile:

Public Health Foundation of India, a public private initiative to build large scale human resource capacity in public health through its three pronged integrated charter of (a) establishing a network of world class,

India-relevant schools of public health & strengthening some of the existing schools (b) establishing standards for public health education through the formation of an accreditation agency and (c) strengthening research and policy in areas related to public health.

Project Brief:

The Senior Research Scientist will join the Health Governance Hub with the position supported across multiple grants. The role of the Senior Research Scientist will involve providing scientific leadership in all activities and initiatives of the Health Governance Hub, including leading specific research projects, coordinating across study sites, and contributing to all research processes that are fundamental for the success of the Hub’s projects. His/her primary role will entail leading all aspects of research study (study design, instrument development, fieldwork, analysis, writing up and publishing peer reviewed articles) for these two multi-year research projects. Apart from this, s/he will participate in all other activities and initiatives of the hub, including advocacy and liaison, team-building and mentorship, conduct of training and workshops, and representing the Hub on different platforms and fora. S/he will also assist in and/or lead the preparation of new grant proposals including such that may support their own continuation beyond the initial period of engagement. The Senior Research Scientist will also be a member of the Hub Executive Group, the senior management unit for the Hub with multiple administrative and citizenship functions

Job Description / Responsibilities:

• To undertake, in letter and spirit, a prominent role in leadership of the Health Governance Hub, with a view to ensuring the technical quality and relevance of research processes and outputs, and also to ensuring adherence to the values and broader goals of the Hub and of PHFI.
• To lead and coordinate the conduct of research studies, including preparation of the tools, guidelines and instruments for the research studies, conduct of field research, analysis and writing up of research findings.
• To guide and instruct mid-level and junior staff, and provide appropriate mentorship, including undertaking specific capacity building efforts and training.
• To prepare research reports and jointly author peer-reviewed publications in accordance with the aims of the Health Governance Hub
• To ensure process adherence, quality control, periodic reviews, monitoring and troubleshooting
• To co-convene and conduct workshops, in concert with other members of the Health Governance Hub.
• Assist in and/or lead the preparation of new grant proposals including such that may support their own continuation. Undertake initiatives and innovations to further the broader objectives and values of the health Governance Hub and of PHFI.
• To undertake liaison and relationship-building as an integral member of the Health Governance Hub, including:

1.    Field liaison and coordination across different field sites

2.    Relationship-building with institutional partners and associates

3.    Representing the Hub in conferences, workshops and different platforms

• Any other responsibility as delegated by the Hub Director.

Qualifications / Experience and skills required

• PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in Public Health or relevant social or health sciences.
• 8-15 years professional experience in health or development.
• Excellent analytical and writing capacity and in-depth understanding of and experience in qualitative research. Proficiency in Hindi.
• Demonstration of appropriate sensitivities to undertake fieldwork and liaison in varied urban and rural settings of India.
• Demonstrated familiarity with current debates and discourses in health and development policy in India and globally.
• Desirable: Experience working as a researcher and leading research teams. Regular peer reviewed publications in related fields. Relevant experience in India, particularly in undertaking research on governance and/ or health systems. Proficiency in an Indian language in addition Hindi.
• Effective Communication skills
• Good Interpersonal skills:
• Ability to work in cross cultural teams
• Ability to plan, conceptualize and organize
• Ability to innovate/ “think tank” for the organization
• Ability to effectively lead and mentor the team:
• Ability to manage the team’s performance
• Ability to make logical decisions and ensure transparency

Interested and eligible candidates may send in their CVs to recruit@phfi.org by highlighting the Position Code (PHFI/2014/144) in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the interview.

Last Date for receipt of applications: 10 July 2014