Deputy Executive Director

Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Executive Director for KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP), you will play a leading role in the management of KWTRP and have joint responsibility, with the Director, for the development of its strategic direction. You will be expected to act for the Executive Director in their absence. In addition, you will have primary responsibility for a programme of independent externally funded research projects and will lead a research group, delegating ongoing responsibilities, contributing to the overarching vision and managing staff performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Initiate and implement elements of the Core platform, including responsibility for the funding application and for representing KWTRP to the funder.
• Manage substantial research resources and budgets
• Develop new avenues of research, concepts and ideas to extend scientific strategy.
• Generate research income and actively promote specific research areas. Write funding applications for new projects and play a key role in establishing overall research strategy, including developing cross-disciplinary research and opportunities for other Principle Investigators and for the training of early-career scientists.
• Regularly write research articles for prestigious international journals, book chapters, and reviews. Present papers at international conferences, and lead seminars to disseminate research findings and enhance the reputation of the Programme
• Promote the research group locally and nationally, disseminate research outcomes to advance knowledge in the specialist area; represent the research group at external meetings/seminars and represent the Programme to sponsors and stakeholders.
• Carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups
• Chair committees and/or working groups

Qualifications:

Hold a relevant Ph.D/D.Phil with significant post-qualification research experience
• Minimum 10 years overall experience with at least 5 years senior management.
• Recognised international authority on a specific research area.
• Proven ability to attract independent funding
• Experience in leading and managing research projects and staff
• Provide evidence of an established international publication record
• Possess sufficient expertise to lead research programmes and develop new avenues of research
• Experience in engagement with major stakeholders, especially arms of Government for policy impact.