Cluster Lead, Implementation Science, Leap Center Position Open

Reports to: Director, LEAP Center

Department: LEAP Center

Location: Preference for Kigali or Butaro, Rwanda; open to remote work (ideally from another country of Partners In Health operations)

Position overview

The Cluster Lead, Implementation Science is a crucial senior leadership position within the newly established Center for Leveraging Equity and Advancement in Practice (LEAP Center) within the University for Global Health Equity (UGHE).

The Cluster Lead will work closely with the Center’s Director, Deputy Director, Senior Advisors, and other key stakeholders to create and refine an overall strategy for the LEAP Center’s core functions in implementation science and practical, embedded research to improve program design, implementation, and practices. They will also lead work to broaden impact by informing scale-up, dissemination, and policy

They will build a core team of staff and collaborating faculty with diverse skills that can support implementers – especially PIH care delivery teams and UGHE researchers – on research design, integrating findings into program delivery, strengthening existing data systems, and disseminating findings and program models.

The Cluster Lead role requires a combination of strategic vision and technical expertise, with a collaborative style oriented toward mentorship and building capacity. They will have demonstrated success in managing multiple simultaneous projects, building and mentoring teams, cultivating new opportunities, and attracting resources to support work.

Responsibilities

Develop and Refine the Cluster’s Strategy

• In collaboration with the Senior Advisor, Implementation Science, as well as the Center’s Director and Deputy Director, develop an overall strategy for how the LEAP Center supports implementers to deliver greater impact and improve learning via implementation science. Ensure the strategy includes project prioritization criteria, a portfolio management approach, and measures of success.

• Build awareness and support for the Center’s work with key stakeholders across PIH and UGHE, as well as externally.

Design and Launch Core Implementation Science Support Offerings

• Develop and maintain a prioritized pipeline of core projects for Cluster support. Oversee allocation of LEAP Center time and resources to support a portfolio of implementation projects, providing technical support to implementing teams across the project lifecycle (including upfront design, continuous improvement, documentation, and dissemination to inform policy and practice).
• Set clear goals for how the LEAP Center will add value to these projects, and ensure these goals are achieved through a combination of direct support and oversight of a broader team of staff and collaborators.

• Establish workflows for providing ad hoc support to other aligned efforts across PIH and partners, identifying opportunities to add value while maintaining clear focus on delivering results on the LEAP Center’s core supported projects.

Build New Areas of Functional Expertise

• Conduct an assessment of functional capabilities among LEAP Center staff, the Institute of Global Health Equity Research at UGHE and other collaborators. Identify available expertise, shared interest and coordinate technical support toward field research.
• Expand LEAP Center and affiliated capabilities in costing and other economic analysis methods to inform program scaling.
• Expand the use of implementations science methods to measure the effects of work centered in the principles of social medicine, including community engagement practices and participatory design.

Strengthen Research Collaboration

• Oversee the stewardship of the new PIH research strategy into implementation. Provide mentorship and support to the Implementation Science & Research Specialist in establishing a cross-site research prioritization process, establishing quality review approaches, and providing targeted capacity building support to PIH research teams.
• Build alignment with stakeholders across PIH sites and UGHE to better coordinate activities in research, impact evaluation, and quality improvement, reducing silos and setting clearer joint goals.
• Lead an assessment of existing implementation science-related collaborations across PIH and UGHE. Identify opportunities to leverage existing research support structures and collaborations, such as the Paul Farmer Collaborative, to advance LEAP Center goals (overall and for specific portfolio projects).
• Cultivate new research partnerships including leading grant writing for projects, in coordination with UGHE stakeholders, to attract more technical and financial resources toward our work.

Contribute to LEAP Center Development

• Advise LEAP Center leadership on forthcoming pipeline opportunities for support, including conducting technical reviews of proposals for feasibility and potential impact.

• Collaborate with other LEAP Center Clusters to support aligned priorities, including capacity building (with the Training and Professional Development Cluster) and assessment of innovative technologies (with the Technology Cluster).

• Provide oversight on developing grant proposals aligned with PIH/UGHE priority areas, increasing the organization’s ability to secure funding for high-impact research.

Qualifications & Experience

• Advanced degree in implementation science, public health, epidemiology, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience, including at a senior leadership level, in implementation research and/or related fields.
• Strong skills in implementation research design, implementation, analysis, and academic writing. Expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research preferred, including mixed methods approaches.
• Experience in overseeing complex organizational projects, including design, implementation, project management, and evaluation.
• Experience leading teams, including a strong track record of mentoring and training staff in implementation research methods and scientific communication.
• Proven ability to translate research findings into programmatic improvements and policy recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; fluency in English required, French, Spanish, or other relevant languages an asset.
• Interest in social justice and commitment to global health and health equity research.

Working conditions

Travel: anticipated 10-20%

Benefits of Working at UGHE

At the University of Global Health Equity, we invest in your well-being and professional growth from day one. Below is a range of our benefits;

• Medical Insurance (employee and legal dependents)
• Life Insurance (employee only)
• 13th Month pay cheque
• 23 vacation days
• Communications allowance including home internet
• Employee wellness program (Gym membership for employee only)
• Subsidised meal plan while in Butaro
• Shared housing while in Butaro
• Relocation allowance for employee and their legal dependents (where applicable)
• Work permit fees and processing (employee and dependents)
• Leave flights back home for employee and legal dependents (where applicable)
• Professional development opportunities to help you advance your career

Choose UGHE for a benefits package designed to empower you-personally and professionally-so you can focus on what matters most: making a global impact in health equity.

At UGHE, you will collaborate with a diverse team sourced from different corners of the world-gaining fresh perspectives, expanding your professional network, and accelerating both your personal and career growth through cross-cultural learning and diverse expertise.