Domain-Specific Principal Investigators (PIs) at eHealth Systems Africa

Purpose of the position

• The Principal Investigator (PI) / Co‑Investigator (Co‑PI) provides technical and scientific leadership for research initiatives within their domain of expertise. The role is responsible for shaping study design, ensuring methodological rigor, guiding ethical compliance, and driving dissemination of evidence that informs policy and practice. PIs take primary accountability for overall study leadership, while Co‑PIs provide complementary expertise and shared responsibility for specific components. Both roles are central to advancing eHA’s research agenda by enhancing competitiveness for funding, strengthening institutional research capacity, and ensuring high‑quality outputs that influence health systems and communities.

What you’ll do

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.

• Lead or co‑lead the design and execution of research studies aligned with strategic priorities, ensuring methodological rigor, ethical compliance, and relevance to programmatic needs.
• Support the development of high‑quality, fundable research proposals by contributing domain expertise, shaping research questions, and strengthening methodological frameworks.
• Guide the selection and application of appropriate research methodologies, including study design, sampling strategies, analytical approaches, and data collection tools, to ensure validity and reliability of findings.
• Advise on ethical approvals and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, providing oversight of IRB submissions, participant protections, and adherence to international and local guidelines.
• Review and contribute to technical deliverables such as protocols, study tools, analytical plans, reports, and manuscripts, ensuring clarity, rigor, and alignment with donor and stakeholder expectations.
• Engage stakeholders, donors, and academic partners to strengthen collaboration, foster knowledge exchange, and promote uptake of research findings into policy and practice.
• Contribute to capacity‑building efforts for internal teams and local research collaborators, mentoring staff in research design, data analysis, ethics, and dissemination.
• Provide thought leadership through publications, presentations, and participation in technical platforms, positioning the organization as a credible voice in the research community.
• Deliver technical input into 4–6 proposals per year across relevant domains, ensuring competitiveness and alignment with funding priorities.
• Develop or co‑develop 2–3 study protocols or research frameworks annually, embedding methodological rigor and domain‑specific expertise.
• Lead or co‑author at least 1 peer‑reviewed article and 1 technical report per project cycle, contributing to the global evidence base and organizational visibility.
• Participate in 3–5 technical events annually (donor calls, stakeholder workshops, conferences), representing the organization and sharing domain expertise.
• Offer ad hoc advisory services on research strategy, methods, ethics, and innovation as needed, providing timely input to strengthen institutional research capacity.

Who you are

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required to successfully perform this job.

• Research Leadership – Provides strategic direction and accountability for study design, execution, and dissemination.
• Methodological Expertise – Applies advanced, domain‑specific methods to generate credible evidence.
• Ethical & Compliance Orientation – Ensures rigorous adherence to ethical and regulatory standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Builds and sustains networks with donors, partners, and academic institutions.
• Knowledge Translation – Communicates findings effectively to diverse audiences and promotes evidence uptake.

Education and Experience:

• Advanced degree (PhD, DrPH, or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline (e.g., public health, epidemiology, digital health, social sciences, environmental science, etc.).
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more of eHA’s core research domains (e.g., public health, digital health, climate and health, nutrition, maternal and child health, health systems strengthening, epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, implementation science).
• Proven experience in securing and implementing research grants, with a track record of successful donor engagement and compliance with funding requirements.
• Strong record of peer‑reviewed publications and technical writing, including protocols, reports, and manuscripts that have influenced practice or policy.
• Experience working in low‑ and middle‑income countries, particularly sub‑Saharan Africa, with excellent collaboration and communication skills in stakeholder engagement and capacity building.