“What are we aiming at?”
That’s the question our first president, Daniel Coit Gilman, asked at his inauguration in 1876. What is this place all about, exactly? His answer:
“The encouragement of research . . . and the advancement of individual scholars, who by their excellence will advance the sciences they pursue, and the society where they dwell.”
Gilman believed that teaching and research go hand in hand-that success in one depends on success in the other-and that a modern university must do both well. He also believed that sharing our knowledge and discoveries would help make the world a better place.
After 140 years, we haven’t strayed from that vision. This is still a destination for excellent, ambitious scholars and a world leader in teaching and research. Distinguished professors mentor students in the arts and music, humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, international studies, education, business, and the health professions. Those same faculty members, and their colleagues at the university’s Applied Physics Laboratory, have made us the nation’s leader in federal research and development funding every year since 1979.
That’s a fitting distinction for America’s first research university, a place that revolutionized higher education in America.Overview
Jhpiego is seeking to engage PI/Scientific Research Expert who will work with Jhpiego team on the Impact evaluation for a large-scale, multi-partner national public health program across 36 states. As the project concludes, Jhpiego will implement a national Impact Evaluation to generate evidence on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the investments.
The PI/Scientific Research Expert – will play a central role in ensuring that this complex, multi-state impact evaluation is well-planned, well-coordinated, and delivered on time and to the required quality standards.
The PI/Scientific Research Expert will provide leadership in impact evaluation protocol review and validation, review of data collection tools, review of data analysis, technical review of final impact evaluation report, fact sheet and policy briefs.
Translating the impact evaluation design and strategic direction into clear workplans, coordinated execution, and disciplined delivery across all the evaluation components.
Ensuring technical excellence is matched by strong program management, enabling seamless collaboration among Technical Lead, Research Managers, Data Managers, field supervision teams, government counterparts, and external partners.
Responsibilities
Evaluation Management & Coordination:
Lead impact evaluation protocol review and validation, review of data collection tools, review of data analysis, technical review of final impact evaluation report, fact sheet and policy briefs
Author and register the impact evaluation protocol and the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) of Nigeria.
Refine, finalize, and execute the comprehensive impact evaluation design, synthesizing quantitative and qualitative research.
Ensure rigorous statistical validity and quality controls across all phases of primary data collation, analysis and report of the impact evaluation.
Identify implementation risks and proactively escalate issues that may affect quality or timelines.
Coordinate and mentor a multidisciplinary field evaluation team including Technical Lead – Impact evaluation, Research Manager, Scientific writers, enumerators etc.
Knowledge Management & Technical Editing:
Coordinate development of evaluation reports, manuscripts, briefs, and presentations.
Harmonize technical inputs from Technical lead – Impact Evaluation and Data Managers into coherent, consistent drafts.
Lead technical editing to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with donor or publication standards.
Maintain version control and document management for all impact evaluation outputs.
Lead coordination of dissemination of Impact Evaluation findings to national stakeholders, partners, and donors.
Stakeholder & Process Management:
Serve as the primary high-level technical expert representing the evaluation to the Federal Ministry of Health, technical monitors, and state-level stakeholders.
Steer the peer-review publishing pipeline, guaranteeing that evaluation discoveries are documented in leading, international high-impact public health and medical journals.
Facilitate smooth information flow between internal teams and external stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
Must hold a primary Medical Degree (MD/MBBS or equivalent) from an internationally recognized, accredited institution.
Advanced Degree in public health or a related field.
Minimum of twenty (20) years of progressive post-qualification research leadership, survey/evaluation coordination with at least five (5) years as an active Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI on large-scale health systems evaluations.
Demonstrated experience executing complex health evaluations funded by major multilateral institutions
Robust, elite academic publication footprint with multiple primary-authored papers in high-impact, peer-reviewed medical and global health journals.
Strong operational familiarity with the Nigerian health system, state-level health structures, and local cultural dynamics across geopolitical zones.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Strong program management and organizational skills.
Excellent written communication and technical editing ability.
High attention to detail, quality, and deadlines.
Strong judgment in managing competing priorities and inputs.
Ability to work independently while supporting senior technical leadership.
Strong interpersonal and stakeholder coordination skills.
Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.