Assistant Project Manager, Population Health

Assistant Project Manager – Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK)

Department: Population Health

Division: Medical College

Location:  Nairobi, Kenya

Job Summary

LOSHAK (Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya) is a major research collaboration between the Aga Khan University in Nairobi and the University of Michigan, involving multiple Kenyan and international partners including Kenya's Ministry of Health and National Bureau of Statistics. Funded by the U.S. National Institute on Aging, this project will collect multi-modal data (surveys, biological measures, mobile health assessments, etc.) from over 8,000 older Kenyans, examining nearly all aspects of their physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and economic well-being. LOSHAK is also part of a large global network of harmonized aging studies modeled on the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, with the aim of informing public health policy and improving the well-being of older populations in Kenya and beyond.

As the Assistant Project Manager, you will work within the Department of Population Health at Aga Khan University (Nairobi) and report directly to the LOSHAK Project Manager. In this supportive role, you will help coordinate all aspects of the project's implementation – from planning and budgeting to fieldwork management, stakeholder coordination, and reporting – to ensure the study's objectives are met on time and with high quality. This position requires excellent organizational and communication skills, as you will act as a key liaison among the project's multidisciplinary team and external collaborators. You will be responsible for maintaining smooth day-to-day operations in support of the Project Manager and the Kenya Principal Investigator, helping to advance LOSHAK's mission and research goals.

   Key Responsibilities   Project Planning and Coordination

• Work closely with the LOSHAK Project Manager and U.S.-based counterparts to coordinate the implementation of all study aims, supporting project management activities across all dimensions of the study.

• Assist in project planning and administration, including contributing to budgeting, developing work plans, scheduling field implementation, coordinating stakeholders, managing procurement processes, and preparing project reports.

• Coordinate logistical arrangements for internal project activities, such as scheduling team meetings, organizing interviewer training sessions, and supporting study pre-tests and pilot field activities for the Kenya-based team.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Facilitate collaboration among LOSHAK co-investigators and subject-matter experts by organizing meetings/workshops to develop and refine survey modules in each investigator's area of expertise.

• Liaise with external project partners (across local and international institutions) under the guidance of the Project Manager to ensure smooth implementation of project activities and to help identify any needed adjustments in project plans.

• Support the Project Manager in engaging with key stakeholders – including NGOs, academic partners, and government agencies – to foster dialogue, knowledge exchange, and effective policy engagement around ageing and health issues.

 Monitoring and Reporting

• Work with local and international collaborators on the data management team to ensure timely data processing and the generation of quality assurance reports for the study.

• Monitor project timelines and milestones, proactively identifying potential delays or issues, and provide regular progress updates to the Project Manager and study leadership.

• Assist in preparing required progress reports and documentation for project stakeholders (partners and funders), ensuring that reporting requirements and deadlines are fully met.

• Work closely with the grants and finance administrative staff to track project expenditures and monitor grant spending, helping to ensure budget compliance and efficient use of resources.

 Administrative Support and Other Duties

• Provide administrative support for project human resources, including coordinating the recruitment and onboarding of PhD students and post-doctoral fellows, and facilitating their ongoing involvement and support within the project.

• Maintain flexibility in work hours, with willingness to adjust to early-morning or late-evening calls as needed to accommodate collaborators in different time zones.

• Be prepared to travel domestically within Kenya and internationally for project meetings, training sessions, or field oversight, as required by the project.

• Perform other duties or special projects as assigned by the LOSHAK Project Manager or study leadership, in line with the evolving needs of the project.

  Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. public health, population health, social sciences, business or related discipline) with at least 3 years of relevant project management/coordination experience, OR a Master's degree in a relevant field with 1–2 years of experience in project coordination.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks or projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.

• Demonstrated ability to work productively under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• High degree of initiative, resourcefulness, and self-direction, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Ability to exercise sound judgment in troubleshooting issues, and to know when to escalate problems or seek guidance appropriately.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with diverse teams and stakeholders at all levels. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from varied backgrounds in Kenya and internationally.

• Proficiency in standard office and project management software tools, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and email/calendar applications. Familiarity with online survey and data collection tools (such as Qualtrics or Google Forms) and videoconferencing platforms (e.g. Zoom) is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated reliability, integrity, and accountability in previous roles. A strong work ethic with a proactive attitude, flexibility, and resilience in facing challenges. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Academic/Research Environment Experience: Knowledge of or experience with university or research institution procedures and regulations, such as familiarity with research ethics committees, grant administration, or academic program operations.

• Project Experience in LMICs: Prior involvement in health or social research projects in low- or middle-income country settings (especially in Kenya or Sub-Saharan Africa). Experience supporting or implementing projects focused on public health or ageing populations in these contexts is an advantage.

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