Posted on : January 12, 2026 Application deadline : January 19, 2026
Head, Research Administration with Research Administration under the Support Services (Internal#5/2026)
icddr,b is a Bangladesh-based international health research institute that strives to solve key public health problems through high-quality scientific research and innovation. icddr,b as a values-based institution, encourages applications from women and persons with disabilities to apply.
The Research Administration Department under the Support Services Division is mandated to provide centrally managed Research Administration services to the scientific divisions and administer icddr,b’s research activities, and other businesses to enable them to attain their goals. The position Head, Research Administration will report to Executive Director and responsible to plan, organize, direct and enhance the services of Research Administration(RA) with the objective of providing the required degree of administrative, infrastructure and knowledge management support for inter-disciplinary & translational research within the guidelines and objectives of Strategic Plan, Institutional Governance Framework (IGF) and the guidelines of IRB & ERB; and organizational values and guidelines (such as Institutional Governance Framework - IGF and Gender Diversity Guidelines).
The specific areas of responsibilities are detailed below:
Strategy Development: Assess trends in research protocol development in icddr,b; Examine their alignment with SP and SDG goals; Appraise icddr,b research in meeting public health needs; Assess support provided to icddr,b researchers by Research Administration including their feedback; Conceptualize research support services that can RA offer (e.g. Knowledge Management, Facilitate using Gender Framework for research; Ethical conduct of research; mechanisms to share concepts aiming at improving collaborative research; abstracts, publications etc.)
Board reporting: Managing the Board Programme Sub-commiitee and Plenary meeting including reporting on assigned areas; Liaison with the Programme Committee Chair on agenda finalization; prepare report for PC Chair on the PC Sub-committee discussion; Coordinate the scientific part presented at the Board by the scientist and scientific divisions and supporting young scientist and researchers and scientific divisions in their submission to the Board; Follow up on Board's recommendation and reporting. Data analysis and reporting of the overall performance assessment of the grant, funding application, and publications Institutional KPI reporting to the Board. SAG reporting: Managing the SAG meeting, agenda finalization, including reporting on assigned areas; Supporting the young scientists and researchers and scientific divisions in their submission to the SAG; Follow up on SAG's recommendation and reporting; Science and CMS Implementation plan: Follow up with the focal point of the Scientific Goals and report on the Science Implementation plan to Management, the Board, and SAG. Extend support in reporting the CMS Implementation plan Innovation: Coordinate icddr,b's Innovations and reporting to the Management, Board, and SAG. Institutional Evaluation reporting; Manage RA's risk management profile; Data management as the custodian of research data; And any other tasks as deemed necessary and assigned by the management.
Sponsorship Facilitation and Grants Proposal Development:Facilitate researchers in grant application submission; act as a central contact point for coordinating research grant applications, particularly for large and strategic funding calls; Submit proposal and report to donor portals; Monitor external grant opportunities and RFP announcements; Identify potential donors and initiate communication to build working relationships; Circulate available grant opportunities periodically to researchers; Guide Coordination Manager to resolve issues related to electronic proposal submissions; Liaise with donors to resolve researcher queries; Guide researchers on proposal development (e.g. by interpreting RFP, providing grant specifications); Direct team to source relevant information (internally and externally) required for proposals and share with researchers in order to facilitate proposal development against funding opportunities available externally. Core Research Fund Allocation:Work jointly with the Development Unit for core-funded Institutional Research Grants Management, development of RFP and guidelines, support the Development department and others with information for high-profile visitors from the core donors, research support group, and the donor community. Collect concepts from researchers; Communicate review process schedule to PIs; Identify appropriate internal reviewers and finalize review process; Guide team to follow-up with internal reviewers and compile score sheets; Short-list concepts based on internal evaluation; Identify external reviewers for short-listed concepts; Seek 'Full Proposals' from researchers for external review; Guide team to follow-up with external reviewers for evaluation and create score sheets; Prepare summary score sheet for Fund Allocation Committee's (FAC) decisions; Communicate FAC's decision to respective PIs, Finance and IRB Secretariat; Provide reviewers' narrative comments to applicants; Monitor core-funded research protocols with regard to reporting and extension needs in order to facilitate funding of strategic and promising research initiatives from core funds.
Control, Review and operations management:Work on RA's goals, annual and operating plans aligned to SP; Plan activities and assign responsibilities to team members and guiding and mentoring team members in achieving their set objectives; develop efficient budgets; Oversee the execution of complete RA process steps (such as Sponsorship Facilitation, Grants Management, Core Research Fund Allocation, Protocol Approval by IRB, KM etc.); Analyze metrics to assess RA efficiency; IRB process improvements and regularly follow up with the team about progress; ; Oversee progress of RA initiatives; Monitor adherence to processes and policies; Devise and implement corrective plans with team, if required; Guide team to create reports as per specific requirements; Review quality of work of team and provide inputs for improvement; Respond to requests for information from various sources (e.g. Finance, researchers) in order to support the effective execution of RA's activities and minimize deviations from norms; Regular review of the grant or contract agreement as a member of the Contract Review Committee (CRC); Oversee the functions of the Library; Data management as the custodian of research data.
Process Improvement:Review existing systems, processes and any complaints / concerned received from internal customers; Identify potential areas for improving systems and processes (e.g. Navision); Recommend changes / new initiatives to the ED and implement action plans to improve processes and optimize costs (e.g. Project Funding Database, new MIS); Coordinate with appropriate departments (e.g. Finance, Human Resources Services, Information Technology) for implementation in order to improve the efficiency and functioning of RA. Member of the ERP Core Committee, Internal Steering Committee, and Lead of the RA Module; Overseeing the RUPANTOR for the RA module and guiding the RA team, cross-functional team (B&P, G&C, R&LA, Library) under the RA module, and the scientific divisions on RUPANTOR-related issues and follow up with the consultant as necessary;
People Management: Promote the spirit of collegiality and gender diversity amongst team members; Encourage team members to collaborate across areas; Address and resolve any diversity related issues; Set goals and conduct appraisals for the team; Set high standards and confront poor performance; Mentor young professionals and prepare them for higher responsibilities; Identify and reward high performers; Recommend promotions; Take appropriate actions to manage poor performance (such as creating Performance Improvement Plans, coaching, job rotations, planning separations from icddr,b) in order to build and develop an engaged and high performing team.
Requirements:
Education and Relevant Experience:
Masters in any discipline, preferably in Business Administration. 8 Years of relevant experience.
Location: Mohakhali Campus, Dhaka.
Number of Position: 1
Contract Type and duration:
Fixed-term appointment for 2 (two years), with the possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
Salary & benefits:
Annual salary of BDT 3,431,520/- inclusive of house rent, conveyance allowance, and other admissible benefits 14.8% provident fund contribution, income tax paid by icddr,b, children allowance @Tk.2,492/- per child per month, festival bonus, contributory healthcare support including dependent spouse and children, group life insurance, and subsidized canteen. Transport and daycare facilities are subject to space availability.
Notes of attention:
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for written tests and interviews. icddr,b does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
Interested candidates who meet the requirements are requested to submit their applications online through icddr,b website: career.icddrb.org by January 19,2026.
