Assistant Manager, BRIDGE Africa, Brain and Mind Institute at Aga Khan University

, , Kenya -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

17 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

16 Feb, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Project Planning, Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, Ethics Submissions, Participant Recruitment, Retention Strategies, Operational Oversight, Resource Allocation, Budget Monitoring, Team Supervision, Quality Assurance, Data Collection, Report Preparation, Project Documentation, Problem-Solving, Compliance

Industry

Hospitals and Health Care

Description

Assistant Manager, BRIDGE - Africa Department Brian and Mind Institute, East Africa Introduction Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous, and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in multiple health science and social science disciplines, carries out research pertinent primarily to low- and middle-income countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards. It has almost 2,500 students and 14,000 staff. The University is both a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change. As a leading international institution dedicated to excellence and change, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact, and access. The Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) is a trans-AKU entity that seeks to build capacity in the domains of mental health and neuroscience. In collaboration with partners, the Institute is advancing research leadership capacity and support service delivery across East Africa and South Asia, and other regions served by the AKU. The Institute supports a hub for scholarship exchange and action on mental health issues, as well as educational, clinical, and community-based programs. BMI’s research focuses on the context of today’s youth in Africa and South Asia, while our programmatic offerings address mental health related and brain health issues, including stigma and resiliency. A significant area of interest is the implementation of science-based programing in hospital and community settings that translate new discoveries into prevention and treatment programs. Job Purpose/Summary The Assistant Manager – Research Projects supports the effective planning, coordination, and delivery of research projects at the Brain and Mind Institute (BMI). Working under the supervision of the Project Manager, the role bridges strategic project oversight and day-to-day operational execution. The Assistant Manager ensures smooth implementation of project activities, compliance with ethical and regulatory requirements, coordination of research teams, quality assurance of outputs and supporting junior staff. Through proactive problem-solving, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement, the role contributes to timely, high-quality research delivery that advances BMI’s mission of promoting brain health and mental well-being. Key Roles and Responsibilities Study Planning & Pre-Implementation Coordination Support development and maintenance of detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, and task assignments. Coordinate study pre-implementation activities, including site readiness, logistics, documentation, and onboarding of teams and sites. Support stakeholder mapping and coordination with research teams, collaborators, vendors, and study sites. Assist with preparation, tracking, and follow-up of ethics and regulatory submissions through approval. Participant Recruitment & Retention Support development and implementation of participant recruitment and retention strategies in collaboration with the study team. Coordinate development and dissemination of recruitment materials (e.g. adverts, brochures, online content). Liaise with marketing and communications teams to promote the study and engage potential participants through social media, community outreach, and other channels. Track, analyse, and report on recruitment and retention data, proposing adjustments to strategies as needed. Ensure recruitment and retention activities comply with ethical, regulatory, and confidentiality requirements. Study Implementation & Operational Oversight Coordinate day-to-day implementation of study activities in line with approved protocols, SOPs, and timelines. Monitor progress against milestones, identify risks or delays, and escalate issues to the Clinical Trial Manager as appropriate. Support allocation and utilization of project resources, including staff time, materials, logistics, and procurement. Support monitoring of project budgets and expenditures in collaboration with finance and the Clinical Trial Manager Team Supervision & Capacity Support Provide day-to-day supervision, guidance, and workload coordination for Research Associates and Research Assistants. Support onboarding and training of project staff on protocols, tools, and reporting requirements. Monitor task completion and adherence to protocols, providing feedback and support as needed. Foster a collaborative, accountable, and supportive team environment trackers, and correspondence. Quality Assurance & Project Documentation Support implementation of quality assurance and quality control procedures for data collection and documentation. Review project documentation, data outputs, and reports for completeness and accuracy prior to escalation. Maintain organized, accurate, and audit-ready project records, including trackers, meeting minutes, and correspondence. Communication, Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement Support preparation of routine project updates, progress reports, and internal dashboards. Coordinate project meetings, including agenda preparation, documentation of action points, and follow-up. Serve as the primary operational liaison between project teams and the Clinical Trial Manager. Support communication with collaborators, partners, and service providers as delegated. Study Close-Out & Learning Support completion and organization of study close-out documentation and deliverables. Assist with reconciliation of project activities, outputs, and expenditures. Contribute to lessons-learned processes and documentation of best practices. Support dissemination activities as required (reports, presentations, briefs). Educational Qualifications Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, public health, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field. Master’s degree or postgraduate training in a relevant discipline is an advantage. Training or certification in project coordination or research management is desirable. Relevant Experience Minimum of 3 years’ experience supporting or coordinating research projects, preferably in health, mental health, or biomedical research. Experience working with multidisciplinary research teams and supporting junior staff. Working knowledge of research ethics, GCP principles, and institutional research processes. Experience with project tracking, reporting, and documentation. Personal Characteristics & Behaviour Strong organizational and coordination skills. Clear and professional communication skills (written and verbal). Attention to detail with a strong commitment to quality. Ability to work collaboratively and support team performance. Proactive, solution-oriented, and adaptable to changing project needs. High ethical standards and respect for confidentiality and participant welfare.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Manager supports the effective planning, coordination, and delivery of research projects at the Brain and Mind Institute, bridging strategic oversight with daily operational execution. Key duties include managing study implementation, ensuring compliance, coordinating research teams, and supporting junior staff to advance the institute's mission.