Managing Director, Africa Pipeline Partnership Program

The Managing Director of the Africa Pipeline Partnership Program (P3-Africa) will lead AIR’s efforts to strengthen the research capacity of early-stage investigators (ESIs) in applied policy research across the African continent. As part of AIR’s Opportunity Fund—a 10-year, $225 million investment to address systemic inequities and expand opportunities—P3-Africa collaborates with African institutions to provide targeted training for teaching faculty, scholarships for advanced PhD students, paid internships, post-doctoral fellowships, and small grants for ESIs. Current partners include the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), the Union for African Population Studies (UAPS), the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), and the University of Nairobi (UON), with additional partnerships in development.

 

Following a successful two-year start-up phase, P3-Africa is entering a three-year expansion under the leadership of the Managing Director. This phase will include establishing new strategic partnerships with universities and pan-African institutions, designing innovative activities to support ESIs, and launching a collaborative research initiative in Kenya that offers P3-Africa Fellows hands-on experience in research and policy analysis.

 

In collaboration with AIR’s International Development Division (IDD) leadership, the Managing Director will ensure high-quality, impactful program activities, foster strategic partnerships, align initiatives with the U.S. Pipeline Partnership Program, and provide technical advisory support for Kenya-based research studies. This multi-year position is a unique opportunity to lead transformative work in advancing applied policy research and capacity building in Africa.

 

This position will be based in AIR’s Nairobi, Kenya office.

 

About AIR:

 

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

 

AIR’s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone’s unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by clicking here.

 

 

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Work with existing partners to ensure the current suite of program activities are relevant, of high quality and respond to the training and capacity strengthening needs of African ESIs.
• Identify new strategic partnerships and jointly identify activities to support ESIs that fit within the mandate and financial constraints of P3-Africa.
• Work closely with the U.S. Pipeline Partnership Program to maximize synergies, including joint programming for U.S. and African trainees.
• Serve as technical advisor, in collaboration with the Institute Fellow for International Development, supporting the PIs of the new Kenya-based research study that will serve as a training laboratory for P3-Africa fellows.
• Engage in business development and participate in research projects.
• Serve as a resource on technical matters for the research staff in AIR’s Nairobi office.
• Be part of the senior leadership team of AIR’s Nairobi office, working in close collaboration with the Managing Director.
• Contribute to IDD’s eminence building activities by presenting at international conferences and related events, publishing research in academic journals and contributing to AIR’s suite of communication activities.

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Doctoral degree in social sciences or a related field.
• At least 7 years of project leadership experience, including proposal writing, project management, staff supervision, report writing, and external relationship management.
• Reputation in research capacity building, with expertise in equity, social justice, and partnership development, as evidenced through publications, presentations, awarded contracts and grants, and overall body of work.
• Demonstrated commitment to teaching and training students at the Master’s or PhD level, with experience in developing and delivering curriculum and mentoring students.
• Proven record of accomplishment leading proposals and winning competitive contracts/grants from various funding organizations (e.g., government agencies, foundations, non-profit organizations).
• Proven ability to develop staff capacity in research and evaluation design and methods, project management, client relationships, research publication, and business development.
• Experience effectively leading and mentoring diverse teams working on research-focused projects and/or tasks within large/complex projects, including managing work to ensure excellence, timeliness, and on-budget execution. 

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills to ensure effective communication with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds, including the capacity to collaborate professionally with clients, federal or foundation project officers, implementing partners, consultants, program leadership staff, and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to AIR’s mission and the application of research findings to contribute to a better, more equitable world.

This employment agreement will be based on Kenya labor laws with associated Kenyan benefits and taxes.

 

Disclosures:

 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

 

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

 

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

 

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