The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), in partnership with the Mental Health Data Prize – Africa (MHDP-Africa) initiative, is pleased to re-announce multiple openings for consultancy and short-term professional roles in data science, field research, AI technology, and open-source development. These positions offer candidates a chance to contribute meaningfully to innovative health and development research and capacity-strengthening projects across the African continent.
The available positions include a re-advertised consultancy to facilitate open-source capacity strengthening for MHDP-Africa, field data collection roles for the PROMOTE II Study, and several technical opportunities within the APHRC Data Science Program (DSP). Whether you are an experienced data standards professional, a software engineer, a field interviewer, or an expert in open-source development, these roles offer a dynamic work environment with mission-driven teams.
Please find below the detailed job descriptions for each available opportunity.
1. Consultancy to Facilitate Open Source Capacity Strengthening – Mental Health Data Prize Africa (MHDP-Africa)
Deadline: July 13, 2025
The MHDP-Africa Project is re-advertising its call for a qualified consultant to support its ongoing efforts to expand and deepen open-source knowledge and application among prize-winning project teams working in the mental health data space. The project seeks a consultant to provide both strategic and technical guidance that enhances open-source practices throughout different stages of project implementation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and implement a structured capacity-building program for prize winners on open-source tools, software, and principles.
- Facilitate virtual and in-person training sessions on topics such as open data sharing, collaborative coding, version control systems, and sustainable open-source community engagement.
- Provide technical assistance and mentoring to project teams on integrating open-source tools into their workflows and deliverables.
- Develop resource materials and manuals tailored to the African research and innovation context.
- Monitor and evaluate the uptake of open-source practices among prize teams and recommend improvements.
- Collaborate with MHDP-Africa management to align capacity-building activities with program goals and funder expectations.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
- Extensive experience in open-source software development, community building, and capacity strengthening.
- Demonstrated history of working with interdisciplinary teams in low-resource settings.
- Strong facilitation, communication, and mentorship skills.
- Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with multiple stakeholders.
Interested consultants are encouraged to submit their expressions of interest with relevant portfolios and methodology outlines for consideration by the deadline.
2. Quantitative Field Interviewers – PROMOTE II Study
Deadline: July 12, 2025
APHRC, through its adolescent and maternal health initiatives, invites applications for Quantitative Field Interviewers for the PROMOTE II Study. The project focuses on improving the lives of adolescent mothers and their children through data-informed interventions in health and socio-economic development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Administer structured questionnaires to adolescent mothers and caregivers using electronic data collection tools.
- Collect high-quality, timely, and reliable data across study sites.
- Work closely with field supervisors and researchers to ensure accurate implementation of study protocols.
- Participate in regular debriefings and offer field-level insights to improve research strategies.
- Maintain participant confidentiality and adhere to all ethical standards throughout the data collection process.
Requirements for the Role:
- Proficiency in administering quantitative surveys using digital tools (such as ODK, REDCap, or SurveyCTO).
- Fluency in relevant local languages spoken in the study areas is an added advantage.
- Previous experience in community-based fieldwork, preferably among adolescent populations.
- High attention to detail and a strong understanding of data accuracy and completeness.
This is a short-term, field-based opportunity suited for individuals passionate about maternal and child health research.
3. Data Standards and FAIR Implementation Officer – Data Science Program (DSP)
Deadline: July 10, 2025
The APHRC is seeking to fill a vital position within its Data Science Program (DSP) by recruiting a Data Standards and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) Implementation Officer. This role will contribute to the growing movement to make research data more open, standardized, and reusable.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design and implementation of data models, metadata standards, and documentation practices that align with FAIR data principles.
- Oversee data standardization efforts across diverse projects within the APHRC network.
- Develop guidelines and training materials to foster internal and external adherence to data governance policies.
- Collaborate with data scientists, researchers, and software engineers to integrate FAIR-compliant workflows in research pipelines.
- Monitor and evaluate the progress of FAIR adoption and propose refinements as needed.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Strong background in data management, metadata standards, and research data repositories.
- Familiarity with ontologies, controlled vocabularies, and semantic web technologies.
- Experience working with research teams in multi-disciplinary environments.
- Ability to translate complex data governance concepts into practical applications.
This role is critical to enhancing the integrity, transparency, and utility of APHRC’s data outputs for long-term reuse and collaboration.
4. Full Stack Developer (Temporary Position)
Deadline: July 10, 2025
APHRC is seeking a Full Stack Developer for a six-month appointment to strengthen its digital infrastructure within the Data Science Program. The selected candidate will help develop and maintain platforms that support AI-powered analytics and cross-functional data solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, and maintain front-end and back-end components of web-based data systems.
- Integrate AI and machine learning tools into operational platforms for real-time analytics.
- Ensure system scalability, security, and cross-platform optimization.
- Work closely with data scientists, ML engineers, and domain experts to refine user interfaces and workflows.
- Conduct system testing, troubleshoot issues, and implement necessary enhancements.
Desired Experience:
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, and frameworks like React, Node.js, and Django.
- Solid understanding of cloud computing environments and containerization tools such as Docker and Kubernetes.
- Familiarity with version control systems, DevOps practices, and continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
- Experience working on multi-user, high-traffic platforms is highly desirable.
This is an excellent opportunity for developers who enjoy solving complex data integration challenges in fast-paced environments.
5. Machine Learning (ML)/Data Engineer (Temporary Position)
Deadline: July 10, 2025
In line with its mission to apply data science to Africa’s most pressing development challenges, APHRC is looking to recruit a Machine Learning/Data Engineer for a six-month term. The position is ideal for professionals passionate about artificial intelligence, large language models (LLMs), and data-driven decision-making.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and deploy machine learning models and AI applications for health and social data projects.
- Develop scalable data pipelines and optimize them for performance and reliability.
- Integrate APIs, LLMs, and AI agents into existing data systems.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support end-to-end AI project development.
- Maintain model documentation and conduct error analysis to improve prediction accuracy and utility.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills:
- Solid knowledge of ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn.
- Strong programming skills in Python and experience with cloud-based AI tools.
- Familiarity with big data platforms (e.g., Apache Spark, Hadoop) and data warehousing technologies.
- Experience with model deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle management in production settings.
The selected candidate will play a key role in advancing AI-enabled decision-support tools for social science and public health research.
Conclusion
The above opportunities represent a diverse mix of consultancy, research, and technical development roles aimed at enhancing public health, technology-driven research, and open data principles across Africa. Each position is anchored in the broader vision of APHRC and MHDP-Africa: to foster evidence-informed solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Candidates who meet the specific role requirements and are passionate about transforming lives through research and technology are encouraged to apply by the indicated deadlines.
For those submitting applications via email, please refer to the detailed instructions in the original job listings. Otherwise:
