Director of Research & Innovation at Shamiri Institute

Job Description

What you’ll do:

As the Director of the Research Lab at Shamiri Institute, you will be instrumental in guiding and executing a diverse range of tasks that are crucial to the advancement of our research objectives. Your responsibilities will include:

Drive Cutting-Edge, High-Impact Research: You will lead groundbreaking research in the fields of mental health, livelihoods, education, and social sustainability. By partnering with world-leading academics, you’ll develop a forward-thinking research agenda aimed at publishing in top-tier journals.
Shape Research Strategy: Develop and refine the research strategy to align with Shamiri Institute’s broader goals, setting clear objectives and defining the scope of research initiatives.
Lead and Mentor the Research Team: Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration.
Secure Funding and Manage Resources: Actively pursue funding opportunities, write grant proposals, and ensure the judicious management of research budgets.
Ensure Research Integrity and Quality: Oversee all research processes to maintain high standards of scientific rigor and ethical compliance.
Foster Collaborations and Partnerships: Establish and nurture relationships with academic, clinical, and community partners to enhance the Institute’s research capacity and impact.
Communicate Research Findings: Effectively disseminate research outcomes to various stakeholders, including the academic community, policy makers, and the public.
Translate Research into Practice and Operational Insight: Integrate research insights into practical applications and policy recommendations, particularly focusing on mental health in the African context.
Incorporate Innovation and Technology: Stay abreast of and incorporate the latest technological advancements in research methodologies and practices.
Engage in Advocacy and Public Engagement: Advocate for mental health issues, raise awareness, and engage with the public to promote mental health initiatives.
This role is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team at the forefront of mental health research, significantly contributing to the well-being of Africa’s youth and beyond.

What We’re Looking For

PhD in Behavioral Science, Economics, Public Health, Public Policy, Social / Cognitive / Clinical Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, or other relevant field.
Deep expertise in the psychology of human wellbeing, as relates to information processing and belief revision; meaning-making and construal; mental models and representations; identity (e.g., stereotype, stigma); motivation (e.g., self-efficacy, executive function); social cognition (e.g., cultural learning, narratives); and psychological well-being (e.g., happiness, mental health).
Demonstrated track record in the design and evaluation of psychological interventions through randomized controlled trials and A/B tests.
Strong commitment to open science.
Self-starter with strong program management skills; able to thrive in a start-up environment with minimal hierarchy.
Team player with an abundance mindset.
Preferably, significant work experience in the nonprofit sector and/or public policy.
Preferably, significant life experience in low- and middle-income countries.