Vital Strategies Principal Technical Advisor - Research Jobs in South Africa

Vital Strategies Principal Technical Advisor - Research Jobs in South Africa; The Principal Technical Advisor, Research, CODA, will lead and coordinate all research activities under the CODA project. This includes setting and managing the research agenda, ensuring technical and methodological rigor, producing high-quality knowledge products, and adhering to timelines.

The role reports to the Project Director, Consortium Lead, CODA, and works closely with consortium partners, Centers of Excellence, the Scientific Advisory Committee, and Technical Working Groups to ensure CODA research meets international standards, informs product development, and accelerates adoption at scale.

Key Responsibilities
Consortium Engagement & Representation

Engage with Scientific Advisory Committee and TWGs, ensuring updates and integration of technical advice.

Collaborate with consortium partners, Centers of Excellence, and experiment country stakeholders.

Research & Technical Leadership

Lead development of CODA research agenda aligned with project goals and donor priorities.

Oversee site selection for experimentation phases.

Coordinate direct-funded research at project sites, ensuring quality and timeliness.

Develop study protocols, sampling, and analysis plans with IRB approval.

Provide technical insights to strengthen AI models for cause-of-death assignment.

Manage project budget for experimental research.

Contribute to monitoring, reporting, and implementation support.

Ethics & Data Governance

Lead development of ethical guidelines and standards.

Contribute to data governance and sharing agreements.

Ensure adherence to ethical standards, IRB processes, and national regulations.

Oversee privacy and security protocols, including informed consent.

Knowledge Generation & Management

Promote feedback loops to inform product development.

Lead knowledge management, global stakeholder engagement, and journal supplements.

Coordinate publication strategy and supervise peer-reviewed outputs.

Ensure dissemination of findings and de-identified data.

Represent CODA at conferences and expert panels.

Capacity Strengthening

Support Centers of Excellence in building regional research capacity.

Lead stakeholder engagement for dissemination events and workshops.

Other Duties

Support consortium proposal development for pilot testing.

Participate in annual meetings and convenings.

Lead TWGs as required.

Qualifications
Education

Minimum Master’s degree in relevant field.

Skills & Abilities

Strong analytical and methodological skills.

Expertise in mortality measurement, cause-of-death assignment, or health information systems.

Knowledge of research design, statistical analysis, and ethical frameworks in LMICs.

Strong leadership, coordination, and communication skills.

Experience in knowledge management and dissemination strategies.

Near-native fluency in English; other languages an advantage.

Experience

Minimum 15 years in health research with leadership in multi-country projects.

Proven experience leading complex, multi-partner research initiatives.

Expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Experience translating research into policy and large-scale adoption.

Work experience in LMICs and with government ministries.

Experience with AI, digital health, or technology-driven interventions an advantage.

Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

Experience in team management and staff supervision.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; Vital Strategies Principal Technical Advisor - Research Jobs in South Africa

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