The Leadership, Excellence and Accelerating Research on Women’s Health (LEAWH) Program, implemented by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), seeks to transform mid-career researchers from various African countries into independent leaders who can establish and lead research programs in priority areas of women’s health.
To support its mission, the program is seeking qualified professionals to join its team. The positions available are Assistant Coordinators (three positions) and Procurement Officer (one position). Each role is designed to provide critical support to research, training, procurement, and overall program operations, ensuring that LEAWH achieves its objectives in advancing women’s health research across the region.
This vacancy announcement provides comprehensive details of the available opportunities, including the responsibilities attached to each position.
Position 1: Assistant Coordinators (3 Positions) – KMR/5
Reports to: Study Coordinator
Location: Nairobi
Duration: 1-year renewable contract
The Assistant Coordinator role is central to the smooth running of the LEAWH program. This position provides operational, research, and training support to ensure the effective execution of program activities. The Assistant Coordinator works closely with the Study Coordinator and other project staff to manage day-to-day research operations, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination of findings.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist in the development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all study procedures, ensuring consistency and quality in research activities.
- Create training schedules for the study, track progress, and prepare detailed reports on training outcomes while maintaining accurate training records.
- Establish strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders in research, training, innovation, and technology to strengthen collaboration and program impact.
- Monitor and evaluate the implementation of study activities, providing recommendations for improvement where necessary.
- Support in writing manuscripts, research reports, and policy briefs to communicate findings effectively to different audiences.
- Assist in disseminating research findings and translating them into evidence-based policies and practices for wider adoption.
- Plan and coordinate meetings for internal project staff as well as external collaborators, ensuring smooth communication and information sharing.
- Host and participate in scheduled conference calls with international study partners to align activities and maintain strong collaboration.
- Participate in the development of research proposals in relevant thematic areas to expand the program’s research portfolio.
- Conduct training sessions for study participants, ensuring they are well-informed and adequately prepared for program activities.
- Gather and evaluate feedback from participants and management on previous training sessions to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
- Communicate with participants on scheduled training, track their progress, and provide necessary support to enhance outcomes.
- Recommend appropriate training materials and methods, oversee the procurement and maintenance of training equipment and facilities, and manage the allocated training budget responsibly.
- Undertake any other duties assigned by the supervisor that contribute to the success of the program.
This role requires individuals with strong organizational and coordination skills, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and a commitment to advancing women’s health research. Candidates with prior experience in health research, training, and program implementation will be particularly well-suited for this position.
Position 2: Procurement Officer (1 Position) – KMR/5
Reports to: Finance Manager
Location: Nairobi
Duration: 1-year renewable contract
The Procurement Officer will play a critical role in managing procurement activities for the LEAWH program. This position ensures that procurement processes are conducted in a professional, transparent, and cost-effective manner in alignment with KEMRI’s policies and international best practices.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist in selecting appropriate suppliers and contractors, promoting good procurement practices with a focus on sustainability, ethical standards, and cost-effectiveness.
- Draft and manage service-level agreements to evaluate supplier performance, providing regular reports on progress and challenges.
- Collaborate with departmental heads to determine procurement needs, specifications, and delivery requirements, ensuring timely and efficient acquisition of goods and services.
- Manage the timing of order placements, aligning supply and demand, replenishing materials, and monitoring supplier performance.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date contracts with vendors, ensuring compliance with agreed terms and conditions.
- Regularly review and update inventory to align with program requirements and operational demands.
- Receive procurement requests from various departments and process them in accordance with established procedures.
- Initiate and track orders, maintaining clear documentation throughout the procurement cycle.
- Receive, inspect, and distribute ordered items, ensuring quality and compliance with specifications.
- Reconcile discrepancies in orders with suppliers, resolving issues promptly to avoid operational disruptions.
- Monitor delivery timelines to ensure that supplies and services are delivered as scheduled.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enhance the efficiency of procurement operations.
This role demands a detail-oriented professional with strong organizational, negotiation, and supplier management skills. The Procurement Officer must be capable of ensuring transparency and accountability in procurement processes while supporting the operational needs of the program.
Application Guidelines
All applications must be submitted through the KEMRI website via the e-recruitment portal: https://www.kemri.go.ke/e-recruitment. The deadline for submission is 23rd September 2025, at 5:00 p.m. East African Time.
Important Notes:
- KEMRI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. Persons living with disabilities, women, youth, and individuals from marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.
- Direct or indirect canvassing will result in automatic disqualification.
- KEMRI does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, and processing of offer letters. If any individual or organization requests a fee, applicants are advised to report immediately.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further stages of the recruitment process.
