Program Manager (EPaPP)

About the Global Health Institute

Established in 2017, the Global Health Institute (GHI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) is the first global health institute in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and is one of the very few in the Global South. GHI addresses global health challenges with a focus on context and sustainable impact by employing an interdisciplinary approach. The primary focus of GHI are challenges that are affecting the MENA region, but have relevance to and impact on other regions in the global south.

The work of GHI is defined by three divisions: (1) GHI Programs, which focus on generating context-specific research, policy, and advocacy to address major global health challenges in the region, (2) GHI ASSIST, which provides community-based services and interventions to address the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations, and (3) GHI Academy which delivers contextualized global health education to various populations through smart and innovative learning modalities.

About the Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Program

The Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Program (EPaPP) aims to understand the landscape of preparedness in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to inform and develop contextualized solutions for current and future epidemics and pandemics. EPaPP builds on the expertise available at AUB and leverages existing capacities across the region to foster regional and global partnerships and networks around epidemic and pandemic preparedness.

The EPaPP generates and promotes contextualized evidence on improving equitable and responsive epidemic and pandemic preparedness in the MENA region by enhancing workforce capacity collaborations, information systems, and governance.

Post Description

The program manager will work closely with the program team and will lead on a variety of tasks including:

  • Funding & Proposal Development: Identifying new funding opportunities, developing research proposals, and preparing grant applications.
  • Research & Publications: Conducting research, generating outputs, and authoring scholarly articles.
  • Data Collection & Management: Overseeing data collection processes or managing field teams.
  • Systematic & Scoping Reviews: Conducting comprehensive literature reviews to inform research.
  • Ethical Review & Compliance: Preparing and managing applications for ethical approval.
  • Event & Meeting Coordination: Organizing program-related events, stakeholder meetings, workshops, and panel discussions.
  • Webinars & Online Courses: Coordinating virtual learning initiatives and outreach activities.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Actively engaging with potential stakeholders, partners, and donors.
  • Partnership Management: Maintaining and strengthening relationships with existing partners.
  • Team Leadership & Oversight: Supervising research assistants and associates to ensure program objectives are met.

Qualifications and Application

  • Master’s degree (or higher) in public health, infectious disease control, epidemiology, global health, health systems, or a related discipline, with at least two years of research or field experience in epidemic preparedness, surveillance, or outbreak response.
  • Proven experience in conducting and managing research projects related to infectious diseases, surveillance systems, health security, or pandemic preparedness, with demonstrated research outputs (publications, reports, or policy briefs).
  • Expertise in disease surveillance systems, outbreak detection, and epidemiological modeling, including experience with early warning systems, health informatics, and data-driven public health decision-making is a plus.
  • Strong skills in designing and implementing research tools (e.g., surveillance protocols, surveys, assessments, etc.) with an emphasis on methodological rigor and data quality assurance.
  • Hands-on experience in field data collection, and public health emergency response, with the ability to coordinate teams and ensure compliance with ethical guidelines.
  • Experience in grant writing and securing research funding, particularly for infectious disease research, global health security, or pandemic preparedness programs.
  • Exceptional writing and communication skills, including the ability to develop technical reports, policy recommendations, and research publications
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently under pressure, and meet tight deadlines in emergency and high-stakes situations.
  • Proactive mindset with strong problem-solving skills
  • Strong team leadership and management skills, with experience working with research assistants, managing field teams if needed, and fostering collaboration across disciplines.
  • Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, public health institutions, research organizations, and international donors in epidemic and pandemic preparedness efforts.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills
  • Prior experience in an academic, research, or policy-setting environment, with a deep understanding of public health ethics, biosafety regulations, and data security in health surveillance.

Application

Please send your CV and cover letter (1 page) to ghi@aub.edu.lb by April 6, 2025. The successful candidate will be based at the Global Health Institute offices and will be required to start within a week from the time of the acceptance notification.

Additional Comments

All staff are expected to adhere to AUB’s policies and procedures. This job description reflects the core activities of the role. There will inevitably be changes in the emphasis of duties as the research project progresses from the planning to the implementation phases. It is expected that the hired person recognizes this and adopts a flexible approach to work and be willing to adapt to changes accordingly.

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