icddr,b invites applications for the position of Senior Director, Maternal and Child Health Division (MCHD) (Adv#236/2024)

The position will be based at icddr,b’s headquarters in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, icddr,b in short, is an international health research institution based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and has a 60-year history of health research and development of innovations. Its research agenda, reflects the full spectrum of global health challenges affecting people living in poverty, is articulated in its current Strategic Plan (available at https://www.icddrb.org/about-us/strategy).

THE SCIENTIFIC DIVISION

The Maternal and Child Health Division (MCHD) of icddr,b develops and evaluates new interventions and carries out implementation research to enhance the coverage, quality and equity of interventions to reduce the physical and mental health burden on women, infants, children, and adolescents. The work of the division spans the full spectrum of research, including epidemiological and social science studies, basic upstream research, clinical trials of new interventions, health systems and implementation research. Research at MCHD takes a life-course approach, encompassing health of women before, during pregnancy and post-partum period, newborns, child health and development, and adolescent health and well-being.

MCHD has one programme and two units. The Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programme identifies and addresses the causes of newborn deaths, investigates timely detection and follow-up of high-risk pregnancies and develops innovations for appropriate management, identifies and determines risk factors for major health conditions – including mental health – affecting women, children, and adolescents, and develops innovations to improve their health outcomes.

The Child Development Unit works to produce evidence for better child development in Bangladesh and other developing countries. The unit aims to assess the effects of various nutritional deficiencies, toxins, poor health, and deprivation on child development; design and evaluate low-cost and sustainable interventions to improve child development and identify feasible means for scale-up. The long-term effects of early childhood development interventions to improve child health outcomes are also assessed.

The Gender, Equity and Rights Unit investigates the links between gender and health. The main areas of research encompass violence against women and children, child marriage, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among populations with distinct SRHR needs.

MCHD scientists have a very diverse portfolio of current research activities. The current staff strength of the division is nearly 650 and includes about 90 scientific staff (including ~30 ranked scientists), supported by data management, administrative and research support staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Executive Director of icddr,b, the Senior Director, MCHD will provide effective support to the Executive Director in the day to day operations of icddr,b and MCHD. The Senior Director will lead and effectively manage a team of research and support staff in MCHD to implement the research agenda and to influence national and global policies, achieving excellence in priority areas and developing institutional capacities within the international standards of research, organizational values and guidelines.

1. Strategic Leadership in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Research (RMNCH):

• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team of researchers.
• Develop and implement a clear vision for the division, focusing on groundbreaking research that addresses pressing health challenges while positioning icddr,b as a leader in key niche areas.
• Ensure that the research conducted within the division maintains the highest standards of scientific rigor and innovation, contributing to both local relevance and global advancements.

2. Division Administration (Planning, Organising, Review & Control):

Envision a future and derive 1-year / 3-year tactical objectives in alignment with the Strategic Plan objectives; Brainstorm with team and establish operational plans; Organise financial and non-financial resources; Devise performance parameters and review mechanisms (such as dashboards and status updates) in collaboration with Research Administration and Internal Oversight teams; Allocate responsibilities, tasks, goals and budgets; Monitor progress of plans, expenses and utilisation of people; Oversee the establishment of sound project charters and project plans; Track progress of projects in the division and guide / direct corrective actions to control deviations; Direct and guide team to meet performance parameters; Resolve issues; Track compliance to Internal Governance Framework (IGF), gender diversity, Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines, project plans and budgets and other internal norms; Direct corrective actions as needed in order to deliver on committed plans.

3. Organizational Leadership and Strategic Contribution:

• Assist and advise the Executive Director in running the Centre and actively contribute to icddr,b’s Senior Leadership Team, collaborating to shape the overall strategic direction of the organization.
• Participate in decision-making around research priorities and institute-wide initiatives, ensuring alignment with icddr,b’s mission of improving global health outcomes.
• Lead by example, fostering a culture of teamwork, respect, innovation, and accountability across the organization, while driving icddr,b’s research impact at both local and international levels.

4. Strengthening Global and Regional Collaborations:

• Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with leading global health organizations, academic institutions, and research networks.
• Actively promote and showcase the division’s research at major global and regional forums, elevating the visibility of icddr,b’s work and its impact.

5. Scientific Capacity Building:

Create an environment where young and mid-level scientists are nurtured and encouraged; Assess development needs of scientific staff; Develop plans to address competency gaps; Provide feedback to improve performance for non-performing scientists; Model scientific mentoring; Coach Research Group Coordinators to mentor junior scientists and PIs; Secure the required resources in order to enhance the overall capabilities of the division for sustained excellence in research.

6. People Management:

Connect center staff with the mission of the Centre; Make personnel associated decisions in a fair, transparent and consistent manner in line with icddr,b policies and guidelines; Model professional personnel management; Keep Centre staff informed of icddr,b management and policy decisions; Promote a spirit of collegiality and gender diversity amongst team members and in the organisation; Encourage team members to collaborate across areas; Address and resolve any issues; Set goals, conduct appraisals and confront poor performance in a positive manner; Identify, mentor and reward high performers; Recommend final increments and promotions; Take appropriate actions to manage poor performance (such as creating Performance Improvement Plans, coaching, job rotations, planning separations from icddr,b) in order to build an engaged and productive workforce in the division.

Required Education and Experiences:

• MD and/or Doctorate in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of experience with acclaimed scientific work related to maternal and child health in research-based organizations with at least 10 years of scientific and administrative management experience at a senior leadership level, with demonstrated leadership ability and team management.
• Experience in managing large research projects.
• Strong track record of publications in international peer-reviewed journals..
• International stature as demonstrated by membership of international bodies.
• Experience of working in a university setting and in different geographies will be additional attributes.

Compensation:

This is an internationally recruited position for which icddr,b offers internationally competitive remuneration paid in US Dollars . The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, which is renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. There will be a probation period of one year.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. icddr,b is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from female candidates. For detailed information about the organization, visit our website: www.icddrb.org.