POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

GEMMS is a Global Health Research Group on disrupting the cycle of gendered violence and poor mental health among migrants in precarious situations. The Group is a collaboration between the Universities of Essex, the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, and Oxford, the Tata Institute for Social Science (TISS, Mumbai), Africa University (Zimbabwe), and Health Poverty Action.

While the link between gendered violence and poor mental and psychosocial health is widely acknowledged, it remains poorly understood, particularly in migrant and mobile populations. In addition, interventions that address gendered violence and/or mental health often ignore how gendered violence reinforces mental health and vice versa. These interventions are also often limited in reach as they usually address the needs of sedentary populations, ignoring the needs and realities of migrant and mobile groups. The GEMMS research group aims to create the necessary tools, actions, and evidence-informed intervention pathways to disrupt the damaging cycle of gendered violence and poor mental health to improve the well-being of migrants in precarious situations, including responsive interventions that can address migrants’ changing needs over time and in different contexts.

•  This Postdoctoral Fellow will be hosted by the College of Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education.
• Whilst the Fellow will be based at the Africa University in Mutare, the successful applicant will be required to travel within Manicaland, including to the Tongongara Refugee Camp, Chipinge, Chimanimani and, in some instances, even abroad.

   

Desired Attributes:

• Preferably a resident of Manicaland
• A PhD, with a focus on social or health sciences or related topics with a focus on migration, mental health and gender
• Inter-disciplinary focus (natural science/social science) is an added advantage
• Demonstrated ability to write and publish peer-reviewed research articles in international journals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Fluency in Swahili, French or Portuguese will be a distinct added advantage
• Ability to work well in an interdisciplinary research team
• Experience in working with or communicating research findings to community forums, policymakers and/or the public
• Experience in collating and analysing existing quantitative and/or qualitative data (e.g., systematic literature reviews, expert elicitation processes, meta-analysis, text analysis, or other synthesis and analysis of large data sets from diverse existing data sources)
• Proficiency in stakeholder engagement methods (virtual and physical) including multi-criteria mapping (MCM)
• Experience in planning or facilitating interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary workshops
• Experience in advanced research skills
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work with people from different national and cultural backgrounds
• Proficiency in online collaboration tools, including engagement platforms.
• Previous experience in international collaborative research programmes is an advantage
• Driver’s licence
• Women are encouraged to apply
• Excellent academic writing skills (English and Shona or Ndebele).
• Excellent computer and word processing skills.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.

 

Duties and Responsibilities: Coordinate, under the supervision of the Research Leads, all GEMMS activities in Zimbabwe including, but not limited to:

• Substantive and logistical matters for the convening of team meetings or meetings with stakeholders.

Research Data Management

• Support finalisation, coordination and implementation of the GEMMS data management plan in Zimbabwe, including setting up all required systems relating to storage, monitoring, etc.
• Develop, with the institutional lead, a detailed protocol for operationalising the plan in Zimbabwe.

Research Ethics Coordination

• The Fellow will work with the GEMMS ethics lead and institutional lead to coordinate Zimbabwean research ethics clearance processes.

Key tasks will include:

• Finalisation of the Zimbabwean research ethics clearance process
• Tracking the research ethics clearance process in Zimbabwe
• Keeping copies of applications and certificates on file

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaison with TSURO
• Attend and facilitate in-person consultation meetings – including local advisory networks in Mutare and Chipinge – to inform the research process, including defining study sites
• Stakeholder engagement activities in Manicaland, including with the Tongogara Refugee Camp, local advisory groups and stakeholders spanned by the study, national consortium partners and the international consortium partners

Research Undertake fieldwork as assigned by the institutional lead, including:

• Desk reviews of relevant literature and policy documents, including historical research and reviews of other relevant materials
• Interviews with key stakeholders, including policy-makers in the enumeration areas
• Support development, implementation and coordination of a cross-sectional and longitudinal study with migrants, including:
• Recruitment and training of enumerators
• Finalising sampling framework
• All logistical requirements
• Continuously review and update the Zimbabwe Situation Analysis Report
• Identify and consult with experts (stakeholders, partners, intergovernmental organizations, academia, government and other relevant bodies) to develop the content for the studies
• Assist in report preparation and writing
• Assist with finalising research tools as advised by the institutional lead

Perform other tasks as assigned by the institutional lead  

How to Apply:

• This Postdoctoral Fellow will be hosted by the College of Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education. • Whilst the Fellow will be based at the Africa University in Mutare, the successful applicant will be required to travel within Manicaland, including to the Tongongara Refugee Camp, Chipinge, Chimanimani and, in some instances, even abroad. Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

1. Cover Letter (maximum two pages) – Clearly outline your motivation for applying, your experience in migration and health in Africa (and, if applicable, other regions), and how you meet the essential (and desired, where relevant) qualifications for the position.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Provide a detailed CV, including a description of your contribution to any jointly authored publications. Include the names and email addresses of two referees who have been directly involved in your PhD and/or previous postdoctoral research.
3. Academic Transcripts and Certificates – Submit copies of your academic records and evidence of PhD completion.
4. Academic Writing Samples – Provide two single-authored or first-authored articles published in internationally recognised, peer-reviewed journals. If submitting a jointly authored paper, specify your contribution. Please note that book chapters will not be considered.

The application pack should be sent as a single PDF file clearly stating " GEMMS Postdoctoral Fellow" in the subject line to the email careers@africau.edu  by no later than 1400 hours on Friday,11 April 2025. Applicants should clearly indicate the position being applied for in the application letter. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Africa University is committed to Diversity, Ubuntu, Professionalism, Integrity and Excellence. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.