Research/Technical Director

EVIHDAF is an international research and evaluation organization headquartered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, which serves the West and Central African region. It provides services in Research, Evaluation & Learning, Data, Analytics & Information Systems, and Social & Behavior Change Strategies. Its practice areas include Health and Health Systems, Nutrition and Food Security, and Agriculture and Livelihoods. EVIHDAF has a USAID-funded project office in Niamey, Niger, and a Data Unit satellite office in Parakou, Benin.

EVIHDAF is seeking a Research/Technical Director with demonstrated technical and leadership capabilities in project design, implementation, and evaluation; publications and research utilization; and proposal development, in topical areas including family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH), maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), nutrition and food security, and malaria and infectious diseases. The position requires flexibility, strong organizational skills, and willingness to work under pressure, and involves both local and international travels.

The selected candidates will ideally work from one of EVIHDAF’s offices (in Cameroon, Niger, and Benin). However, remote work arrangements can be considered.

Responsibilities:

The preferred candidate will:

• • Oversee ongoing projects, especially activities under a five-year (2022-2027), USAID-funded social and behavior change (SBC) research program named Agency for All.
  • Lead engagement with national and international stakeholders.
  • Prepare work plans, monitor their execution, and refine as needed.
  • Lead and oversee publication efforts and grow the organization’s capabilities in research utilization.
  • Lead proposal development efforts to expand project portfolio.
  • Supersize and build the capacity of the organization’s research staff.
  • Participate in relevant technical working groups at national and global levels

Basic qualifications:

• • PhD in demography, sociology, public health, the social sciences, or a related field.
  • At least ten (10) years of research experience in the areas of FP/RH, MNCH and Nutrition.
  • Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills, with excellent track records in peer-review publications and conference presentations.
  • Familiarity with SBC research, gender/social norms, individual and community agency and empowerment.
  • Proven experience in the design and implementation of a variety of quantitative and qualitative research activities including data analysis, reporting and dissemination.
  • Experience leading successful global health proposal development efforts.
  • Strong interpersonal communication, writing, and oral skills in both English and French.
  • Ability to succinctly communicate complex research rationales, designs, and learning both verbally and in writing.
  • Proficiency in using computer systems and software such as Microsoft Office Suites and data analysis software packages (qualitative or quantitative).
  • Ability to work effectively both independently and in teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• • Demonstrated ability to effectively manage an interdisciplinary team, interact with and lead a broad range of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders and institutions across countries and teams, and foster data use for policy and programmatic decision-making.
  • Experience working in countries in the West and Central Africa region.
  • Proven familiarity with US-funded projects and ability to effectively coordinate with U.S. government agencies, and other technical organizations.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application online through the application form. The application will consist of:

• A three-page cover letter in English, showing the candidate’s qualifications for the position.
• A CV in English of no more than ten (10) pages, ending with names, phone numbers and email addresses of three references.

Females candidates from the West and Central Africa region are particularly encouraged to apply. The position will remain open until filled.