Country: South Africa
City: Cape Town
Organisation: African Institute for Mathematical Sciences
Theme: Coordination
Other
Job years of experience: 0-3
years
Closing date: 15 Mar 2013
Within the context of an
unprecedented mission and a pioneering innovative math and science education
institution, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Next Einstein
Initiative (AIMS-NEI) seeks to attract a young dynamic academic to the role of
Research Manager for the Secretariat.
The key role of the Research Manager is to facilitate and support
AIMS-NEI’s research mandate. This involves support and establishment of two
research chairs, management of a small grants program for AIMS alumni and
coordination of the establishment, functioning and startup of research center
activities as part of the overall AIMS model. This role will assist the coordination
of the research activities of the AIMS network such that it achieves its
science and innovation mandate through contributions from research.
SUMMARY OF POSITION GOALS:
1.
Ensures effective overall management of the AIMS-NEI
research Unit, including project, data, grants and personnel management.
2.
Leads the process of developing and operational zing
the Unit’s strategic and annual plans, in order to achieve key objectives,
results and commitments.
3.
Maintains high levels of interaction with internal and
external colleagues including many in other AIMS Centers. Liaising with
relevant colleagues within the AIMS network and internationally to seek applied
research opportunities for students within industry and the private sector both
during and after the Masters and PhD will also be required.
4.
5.
Collaborates with the Director of Academic Development,
Research chairs and relevant colleagues for the development and elaboration of
the AIMS-NEI research strategy.
6.
5. Develops and administers a
small grant research program for AIMS graduates focusing on topics relevant to Africa’s development challenges.
7.
Identifies opportunities to collaborate with private
sector to ensure that research is relevant and applicable to industry.
8.
7. Works with AIMS centre Directors
to organize and coordinate at least one annual conference per year per centre
on research and research outputs.
8. Tracks all alumni publications
from grey literature to peer reviewed articles and produces summaries and case
studies for different stakeholders across the network.
9. Creates, maintains and manages
a research database that will serve the AIMS network.
10. Creates linkages for
fellowships and internship for AIMS Alumni research projects (National,
Regional and International).
11. Manages a gender focused
approach to ensure at least 40 % of opportunities go to qualified female
candidates.
12. Manages junior researchers and
assists with recruiting and mentoring junior researchers if required.
13. Assists the NEI Executive
Director in research-related activities when needed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Research Unit Oversight
Research Grant Administration and
Unit Budget Management
Research Policies and Procedures
Resource Mobilization
Strategic, Annual and Program
Planning
Management of Research Staff /
interns/Volunteers
THE PERSON AND HIS/HER QUALIFICATIONS:
Ph.D. (Post Doc preferred) in
math, science or technology
Two to three years of experience
as a research manager or senior research coordinator in a research institute,
NGO, or university or government department
At least two years of
research-related experience in a developing country setting
Experience in managing research
grants from institutional funders (e.g., CIDA, USAID, EU, DFID, Foundations)
and contracts with donors
Demonstrated experience in
designing and implementing systems (standard operating procedures and
databases) to manage qualitative and quantitative data
Experience in establishing and
maintaining monitoring and evaluation systems for research programs
Experience in writing research
protocols and submissions to research ethics boards
Experience in grants management,
and in developing and managing annual work plans and budgets
Experience in staff recruitment,
selection, and mentoring
Excellent knowledge of research
methodologies in the context of applied mathematics and sciences
Good understanding of best
standards for research and good research ethics
General familiarity with
qualitative methods and with the fundamentals of research
Enthusiasm, a commitment to
mathematical sciences, technology and innovation
Cultural sensitivity,
collegiality
Results‐oriented, able to operate
with a high degree of autonomy
Willingness to work with staff,
students and alumni to develop their competencies.
How to apply:
Prospective candidates must submit
a letter of motivation and detailed CV, together with the names of at least two
referees to: AIMS-NEI Hiring, electronically to: talent@nexteinstein.org
(Ensure that the job title is in
the subject line please).
