Background:

The global landscape is challenged by a confluence of emerging and re-emerging infections, non-communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, food safety concerns, and antimicrobial resistance. These challenges are particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia and the Eastern Africa region, where healthcare infrastructure is often precarious. Beyond health, Africa faces significant social issues, including quality and equity in education, harmful traditional practices, and socioeconomic disparities leading to unemployment, substance use, homelessness, and crime. Addressing these complex problems necessitates effective behavioral interventions, which are increasingly informed by advancements in science and technology.
The School of Public Health (SPH) at Addis Ababa University has initiated efforts to strengthen capacity by training trainers, programmers, and policymakers to address public health concerns, innovate behavioral interventions, and integrate behavioral insights into research and design. The objective is to tackle complex behavioral issues and improve health outcomes in Ethiopia and the wider region.
The Behavioral Health Sciences Unit of the SPH, in collaboration with UNICEF Ethiopia, is establishing and strengthening the Behavioral Health Insights Research and Design (BIRD) Lab. This lab will coordinate innovative behavioral interventions through capacity building, real-time evidence generation, innovative programming, solution development, monitoring, evaluation, and policy influence.
To achieve the BIRD Lab's comprehensive objectives, the Behavioral Health Sciences Unit seeks to engage dedicated individuals for the below vacant positions:

Scope of Work:

The BIRD Lab Manager will report to the Head of the Behavioral Health Sciences Unit and will be responsible for the following:

1. Lab Operations Management:

• Oversee the daily operations of the BIRD Lab, including daily, weekly, and annual planning.
• Ensure lab staff adhere to planned activities.
• Conduct routine staff performance evaluations.
• Provide weekly and monthly lab plans and performance reports.
• Ensure lab operations comply with institutional rules and regulations.
• Foster a collaborative and productive work environment.

2. Research Support:

• Collaborate with partner organizations to identify behavioral issues of broad research interest.
• Organize and lead multidisciplinary research teams, providing training and support for research activities related to public health.
• Ensure secure data management, timely data analysis, and the production of evidence for programming, policy, and publication purposes.
• Organize and facilitate co-creation forums to define problems, develop approaches, and create tools and prototypes.
• Develop community engagement tools for behavior change innovations.
• Support the design and development of research methodologies, surveys, and experimental studies on behavioral health.
• Lead the implementation and monitoring of research experiments.

3. Capacity Building for the Behavioral Health Team:

• Organize and conduct training on key domains of health behavior:
o Behavioral Insights
o Social and Behavior Change
o Leadership in Behavior Change
o Monitoring and Evaluation of Behavior Change
o Qualitative Methods in Behavioral Research
o Innovations in Behavior Change
• Plan and execute research activities on behavior:
o Routine Surveillance
o Formative Research
o Mid-term Studies
o Evaluations
• Train and supervise research assistants and data collectors.
• Coordinate research schedules and ensure timely project completion.

4. Resource Mobilization:

• Lead resource mobilization efforts by establishing strategic partnerships with global research networks, donors, and the private sector to ensure the lab's sustainability
• Produce promotional materials showcasing the BIRD Lab's activities and evidence.
• Organize think-tanks on the adoption of behavioral innovations.
• In consultation with BHS unit team and particularly the head, submit at least two grant applications to local and at least One to potential international donors to keep the Lab running
• In consultation with BHS unit team and particularly the head, actively search for grants in connection to the goal of the Lab
• Participate on behaviour change TWGs at national and organizational levelAnd also
• May engage in teaching, student advise and academic affairs of the unit

Deliverables:

• Weekly and monthly lab plan and performance reports.
• Research protocols for funding.
• Research reports, including comprehensive process and output reports, policy briefs, and publications.
• Training materials relevant to planned activities.
• Behavior change educational materials such as Radio/TV spots.
• Regular reports to UNICEF on accomplishments.

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field with a focus on health education and promotion.

• Proven research experience in behavioral health.

• Minimum of 8 years relevant experience within an NGO or CSO, preferably in the area of Social and Behavior change (SBC) field

• Strong knowledge of research methodologies.

• Proficiency in using qualitative data analysis MaxQDA and statistical software.

• Demonstrated competence in organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong interpersonal communication skills.

• Experience in managing research projects and training staff on behavioral science methodologies.

• Supportive and ethical in approach

• Always maintains a pleasant and polite attitude

• Ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural and multidisciplinary team

Work Environment:

• Duty Station: Addis Ababa, School of Public Health, Seferselam Campus.

• Employment Type: Full-time, contractual (6 months with possible extension).

• Frequent field travel required.