Head of Shared Research Services (SRS)

The position

Aga Khan University, chartered in 1983 as Pakistan's first private international university, is committed to the provision of education, research and health care of international standard relevant to Pakistan and the region. The Head of Shared Research Services (SRS) is a senior leadership position with institutional responsibility for providing strategic direction, leadership, and oversight of shared research administration and support services across the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS).

The Head of SRS will lead the continuous enhancement of a service-oriented, high-performing research environment, working in close partnership with faculty, academic departments, research teams, the Research Office, and other institutional stakeholders. A key mandate of the role will be to identify operational barriers to research, strengthen research administration processes and infrastructure, enhance service quality, and drive solutions that enable researchers to undertake high-quality research efficiently and effectively.

The Head of SRS will report to the Dean, Medical College and Vice Provost, Research (or their designate) and will work closely with the Associate Deans for Research (Medical College and School of Nursing and Midwifery) and the Director, Research Office.

Aga Khan University invites applications for the position of Head of SRS.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible to:

• provide strategic and operational leadership of Shared Research Services, ensuring quality, efficiency, timeliness, and responsiveness of services
• establish and monitor service standards, performance indicators, turnaround times, and user feedback mechanisms to drive continuous improvement
• oversee planning and management of research support services for grants administration, regulatory affairs, human resources, financial management, procurement, IT management, laboratory space, safety and security, and field operations across Pakistan
• build and maintain strategic relationships with national and international stakeholders, including government agencies, community partners, granting agencies, and research administration networks
• develop and implement innovative strategies to strengthen research and grants administration in line with international standards
• optimize operational efficiencies and resource utilization to support cost-effective management of research grants
• lead the administration of research grants across the Medical College, including grant acquisition support, agency correspondence, regulatory compliance, reporting, and project operations
• support legal and contractual requirements of granting agencies and subcontractors
• facilitate development and submission of research proposals by ensuring completion of non-technical and administrative requirements
• oversee extramural and intramural research grant administration in accordance with international standards and sponsor requirements
• lead and mentor research administration teams, ensuring continuous improvement and compliance with University and granting agency requirements
• serve as the key accountable lead to the SRS Management Oversight Committee, providing updates on performance, utilization, risks, resource requirements, and strategic priorities
• advocate for researchers and facilitate resolution of research-related issues with AKU support departments and the Research Office
• lead training, development, and career progression initiatives for senior research administration staff
• facilitate university-wide start-up, pre-award, contracting, and post-award grants management support for researchers across departments.

The requirements

• a minimum of Master’s in business administration (MBA) or other relevant field. International certifications in Research Administration would be a plus. Certifications should be relevant (clinical trials, research administration, financial management, research law, leadership etc)
• international degree in the field of Research Administration or general administration is desirable
• excellent interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills
• demonstrated ability to have implemented new systems in a large service-based industries nationally and internationally will be preferred
• a minimum of five years plus relevant experience in the field of Administration with any Healthcare Institution / Service Industry
• experience of managing extramural/intramural funded research grants and working with donor agencies would be an added advantage
• proven track record of managing a diversified team comprising of grant administrators, human resources, procurement, IT, legal, audit, compliance and clinical trials
• demonstrated leadership skills evident from team building and leading high performance teams
• knowledge of modern research administration practices focusing on grants from national and international agencies
• strong record of compliance and risk management, maintaining adherence to best practices and international standards
• proven track record of successful capacity development of senior staff with an aim to strengthen the individual capacity in line of achieving the overall development objectives of the division
• demonstrated ability to work in a professional, multi-disciplinary team as a group leader, facilitator, or participant
• commitment to AKU’s principles of IQRA (Impact, Quality, Relevance and Access)
• willingness for travelling (and deputation as well), at national and international levels.

About the Agency

• Sector: Social Development
• Salary: Salary and package to attract the best candidate