The Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA) is seeking to engage a Senior Research Fellow (Project Coordinator) as part of its expanding portfolio of project-based research and implementation initiatives. The role is positioned within a dynamic environment dedicated to strengthening data-driven decision-making, advancing epidemiological modelling capacity, and improving public health outcomes. As project-based work continues to form a significant part of the institution’s mandate, the Senior Research Fellow (Project Coordinator) will play a central role in ensuring that project objectives are met through systematic coordination, high-level research support, and consistent engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
The position is suited for an individual with deep experience in research project oversight, particularly within health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, or mathematical modelling themes. The role requires careful management of project workflows, an ability to interpret and translate technical research outputs, and a commitment to supporting functional linkages between teams, funders, collaborators, and beneficiaries. The Senior Research Fellow will also serve as an important integrator between scientific teams and operational structures, ensuring that project deliverables are executed within defined timelines and in alignment with the institution’s research goals.
CEMA’s commitment to applied research, data analytics, and public health response requires project staff who are well-organised, detail-oriented, and capable of managing research activities from conception to closure. This role also supports capacity-building efforts that contribute to strengthening public health modelling within the region. The position offers an opportunity to influence the development and utilisation of scientific evidence for national and regional health programmes, while coordinating teams involved in complex research processes. The following section outlines the detailed job description for the Senior Research Fellow (Project Coordinator).
Job Description
Senior Research Fellow (Project Coordinator) – CEMA
The Senior Research Fellow (Project Coordinator) is responsible for leading and coordinating high-level research activities, managing project operations, and ensuring timely delivery of project outputs. The role involves significant engagement with project partners, researchers, government institutions, and donor agencies, requiring a professional who can integrate scientific understanding with strong project management capabilities. The responsibilities cover planning, implementation, monitoring, communication, and reporting of project activities.
- Project Coordination and Oversight
The Senior Research Fellow is expected to oversee the full cycle of assigned projects, from initial planning stages through implementation and closure. This includes developing activity schedules, coordinating research tasks, and ensuring that all planned outputs are delivered in line with project objectives. The role requires continuous tracking of progress, identification of bottlenecks, and development of appropriate mitigation strategies. By monitoring workflow and deadlines, the Senior Research Fellow ensures that the project remains on course and adheres to defined performance indicators.
A critical function within this responsibility is the harmonisation of cross-functional activities. The Senior Research Fellow must ensure that research teams, data analysts, administrative personnel, and collaborating partners operate within a unified framework. Where tasks are interdependent, the role requires alignment of timelines and clarification of roles to prevent duplication or delays.
- Research Leadership and Technical Support
The Senior Research Fellow provides technical support in research activities related to epidemiological modelling, data analytics, and public health strategy. While the role is deeply managerial, it also requires active participation in research processes. This may include guiding methodological approaches, reviewing modelling outputs, contributing to analytical discussions, and shaping scientific interpretations. The Fellow may also support manuscript development, preparation of scientific reports, and consolidation of evidence intended for policy or technical advisory groups.
In this capacity, the Senior Research Fellow serves as a bridge between technical and non-technical actors. They may be required to interpret complex modelling results for audiences such as policymakers or community partners, ensuring that findings are accessible, contextually accurate, and suitable for decision-making processes.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management
The role requires consistent engagement with stakeholders who may include government institutions, academic partners, implementing agencies, donors, and regional technical bodies. The Senior Research Fellow will lead communication efforts for project updates, progress briefings, and coordination meetings. They are responsible for maintaining constructive and professional relationships that support smooth project execution.
This responsibility also includes organising and facilitating workshops, consultative meetings, dissemination forums, and stakeholder review sessions. The Senior Research Fellow ensures that all relevant actors remain informed of project status, research outputs, and emerging challenges that may require joint problem-solving.
- Documentation, Reporting, and Compliance Management
The Senior Research Fellow must maintain clear, accurate, and up-to-date documentation of project activities. This includes preparing regular progress reports, donor-aligned technical reports, internal briefs, and comprehensive end-of-project documentation. Reporting responsibilities extend to financial progress tracking where required, ensuring that activity expenditures align with project work plans and funding agreements.
Compliance monitoring forms an important part of this role. The Senior Research Fellow ensures that project activities adhere to institutional policies, ethical standards, data protection guidelines, and funder requirements. They may coordinate with ethics review bodies, oversee documentation for research approvals, and ensure that all outputs are produced according to expected scientific integrity and governance frameworks.
- Team Coordination and Capacity Strengthening
The Senior Research Fellow provides oversight, guidance, and mentorship to project team members. This may include junior researchers, analysts, graduate interns, and technical support staff. The Fellow ensures that team members understand their responsibilities, receive necessary orientation, and have access to tools required to perform their work effectively.
In addition, the Senior Research Fellow contributes to capacity-building initiatives within the project and the wider institution. This may involve organising training sessions, contributing to curriculum development, facilitating technical workshops, or developing resource materials that enhance modelling and research competencies within teams and partner institutions.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Integration
The Senior Research Fellow supports the integration of monitoring, evaluation, and learning practices within project activities. This entails defining performance indicators, establishing mechanisms for tracking progress, and documenting lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle. The role may also involve leading after-action reviews, supporting adaptive management strategies, and ensuring that internal learning processes strengthen future project cycles.
The MEL responsibilities also help maintain accountability to donors and stakeholders by ensuring that results are well-documented and communicated. This dimension of the role ensures that evidence generated within the project is effectively utilised to improve methodology, stakeholder engagement, and implementation strategies.
- Risk Identification and Mitigation
The Senior Research Fellow is required to identify potential risks that may hinder project implementation, whether operational, technical, or external. This includes delays in data access, stakeholder coordination challenges, resourcing gaps, or unforeseen public health developments. The role involves designing mitigation plans, engaging relevant partners, and ensuring continuity in activities despite emerging constraints.
Risk mitigation efforts also include careful monitoring of project dependencies and conducting proactive scenario planning when necessary, ensuring that the project remains resilient and adaptable in complex environments.
- Communication, Dissemination, and Knowledge Sharing
The role includes facilitating knowledge exchange between the project and relevant audiences. This involves supporting dissemination of research findings through policy briefs, presentations, scientific publications, website updates, and structured communication outputs. The Senior Research Fellow ensures that knowledge products are accurate, relevant, and aligned with the project’s communication strategy.
The Fellow may also participate in conferences, external forums, and professional networks to showcase project achievements and strengthen the institution’s visibility within the public health and epidemiological modelling community.
Conclusion
The Senior Research Fellow (Project Coordinator) position at the Center for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis presents an opportunity to contribute to impactful research initiatives within the public health landscape. The role combines scientific understanding with project leadership, requiring an individual capable of managing complex workflows, coordinating diverse teams, and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships. As CEMA continues to strengthen its contributions to epidemiological evidence and regional health security, this role will play an essential part in ensuring that research outputs are effectively generated, managed, and communicated.
