Demographer (Adv#96/2025)

icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. icddr,b as a values-based organization encourages women and people with disabilities.

The Health Systems and Population Studies Division (HSPSD) is a thematically diverse division. It hosts Program on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Program on HIV & AIDS, Environmental Health and WASH, Climate Change and Health, and other domains. HSPSD also hosts three Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) – Matlab HDSS, Chakaria HDSS and Urban HDSS.

Key responsibilities:

The Demographer, HDSS-Matlab will report to the Senior Director, HSPSD and will be responsible for providing overall research and operational leadership for the Matlab Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). S/he will lead the development and management of the work plan of HDSS and its field activities, ensuring integration of the complementary data collection systems including GIS data, maintenance of data quality, and innovations where needed to improve data collection methodology.  S/he will also work closely with the Senior Director HSPSD and the Heads of ‘sister’ surveillance sites to develop a coherent research strategy for the HDSS.  S/he will foster linkages with a wide range of academic, government institutions and international organizations engaged in health and population research with the objective of promoting the analysis of these rich datasets to address key public health research questions and generate evidence that can support policy making. S/he will collaborate with researchers of icddr,b and other institutions and develop high quality research proposals for submission to external funding agencies.

S/he will be involved in –

•  Development and Planning of HDSS and Data Quality: Lead and oversee the monitoring and supervision of HDSS field activities, and also monitoring and supervising the staff who are involved with the database work and the processes of data requests, access, dataset provision and archiving Identify and produce HDSS data types needed by icddr,b and the global health and population research community. Ensure data quality at the highest level; Keep data management and computerized data storage systems technologically up-to-date and efficient; ensure the prompt production of annual data reports. 

• Research and Research Collaboration: Provide thought leadership for the HDSS to ensure a vibrant research environment and maximise use of the HDSS data. Work closely with the Senior Director HSPSD and the Heads of ‘sister’ surveillance sites (Urban and Chakaria) to develop a clear research strategy, annual workplan and maximise opportunities for new research projects. Conceive, supervise and contribute to analyses of changing trends in public health and population research opportunities. Supervise and conduct research in demography and related areas in particular, reproductive and child health and the role of socio-economic development; and collaborate with academic and research organizations, in-depth networks, funding agencies and research scientists (within and outside the Centre) to raise the profile of the HDSS and develop research proposals. 

• Coordination and Management: Coordinate with Research Administration, Finance, Human Resources for required approval to proper implementation of HDSS activities. In collaboration with the Senior Director HSPSD, determine the HDSS annual budget and manage the HDSS budget and staffing to ensure value for money and efficient, high quality delivery of all routine tasks to achieve goals set out in annual workplan. 

• Mentoring and Capacity Development: Coach junior researchers and fellows on developing demographic, statistical and related research skills; Provide guidance to Masters/PhD interns in developing thesis and to promote independence; Engage with mentees and junior researchers regularly to enhance behavioral skills and evaluate development areas; Conduct discussions, share experiential learning and develop scientific insight; Act as a role model for junior researchers; Allocate additional responsibilities for developing new skills, if required; Identify high potential talent, understand career interest and deploy talent in available opportunities; Apply subject matter expertise to prepare curriculum for courses and conduct teaching sessions to nurture talent at various level of the research group in order to develop a strong and steady pipeline of demographic talent for future. 

• People Management and Training: Promote a spirit of collegiality in support of diversity amongst team members and in the organization; Set goals and conduct appraisals for the team; Conduct bi-weekly review meetings and encourage team to share experiences for knowledge transfer;  Set high standards and confront poor performance where needed; direct and guide team leaders on resolving member complaints; set goals, conduct appraisals and confront poor performance in a positive manner; Identify, mentor and reward high performers; Organise for training of team members; Recommend promotions in order to build and develop an engaged and high performing team.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Masters in Demography or Population Studies with a strong background in statistics or Masters in Bio-Statistics, Statistics, Social Statistics, Epidemiology or Health Economics with good academic records. PhD in the mentioned subjects would be an advantage.

• At least 10 years or more experience in demographic and public health research with proven records of publications, quantitative data analysis and large-scale social science data sets management.
• Excellent leadership, organizational and management skills including direct experience of supervising quantitative data collection at community level.

Location: Dhaka with frequent visits to Matlab (at least every two weeks and 30% of time will have to be spent at Matlab)

Contract Type and Duration:

• Fixed Term contract; duration will be 2 years with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and performance. 

Salary & benefits:

• Annual Tk. 26,80,550/- inclusive of house rent, conveyance, and other admissible benefits;
• 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.1,917/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance, and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.

 Notes of attention:

• Only short-listed candidates shall be invited for written test /interview;
• icddr,b does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Interested candidates who fulfil the requirements should submit online applications using icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by September 27, 2025.