Research and Implementation Science (RIS) DIRECTOR

Company information

Company

HST Careers

Division

HSR

Health Systems Research

Province

KwaZulu-Natal

Job Specification Information

Title

Research and Implementation Science (RIS) DIRECTOR

Description

Health Systems Trust (HST) is a renowned South African non-profit organisation driving change for effective and equitable health systems. We work to strengthen health systems, generate and use evidence, and support the implementation of priority health programmes and health system improvements to improve health access and outcomes in South Africa and beyond. We are seeking a senior leader to drive our research, implementation science, and strategic information management agenda, strengthening evidence generation, knowledge translation, ethics and research governance, programmatic learning, and external thought leadership. The Director will work across programmes and partners to ensure research and strategic information are strategically aligned, methodologically rigorous, and translated into actionable improvements in policy and practice. This position is a fixed term contract renewable based on performance and funding.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a research and implementation science strategy aligned to organisational, national, and donor priorities. • Design and oversee priority research and implementation studies, ensuring methodological quality and timely delivery. • Translate evidence into practical outputs (technical reports, policy/programme briefs, learning products) that inform scale-up and decision-making. • Ensure full compliance with donor requirements, ethics approvals, and research governance standards. • Strengthen programmatic learning by embedding data use, reflection cycles, and adaptive management across programs. • Mobilise resources for research and the use of research evidence in policy and practice through grant writing, partnerships, and proposal development. • Build internal and partner capacity through mentorship, training, and supportive supervision. • Represent the organisation in key research forums/conferences and contribute to national/global technical discussions and guidance. • Undertake collaboration with internal and external role players in expanding the footprint of HST within South Africa as well as across the African continent.

Key Attributes

• Research, strategic information management, and technical expertise (research design, analysis, implementation science, and evidence use). • Strategic and systems thinking; ability to align evidence work to organisational goals and health system needs. • Results orientation and accountability; delivers quality outputs on time and within budget. • Clear communication and knowledge translation to technical, policy, and community audiences. • Innovation and problem-solving in applied research and scale-up contexts. • Leadership, mentorship, and collaboration across teams and partners. • Stakeholder engagement and diplomacy with government, academia, donors, and implementers.

Education Required

Matric

Qualification Required

• Postgraduate qualification (master’s or PhD) in Public Health, Epidemiology, Implementation Science, Health Systems, Biostatistics, or a related field

Experience Required

• Senior-level experience leading applied research and/or implementation science within complex health or development programmes. • Demonstrated track record of producing high-quality evidence products (peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, briefs), translating findings for decision-makers, and supporting strategic information management. • Experience managing ethics processes, research governance, and donor compliance requirements. • Experience in management of strategic information, budgets, teams of knowledge workers, engaging stakeholders and timeously delivering products and relevant outputs in the research and implementation science field. • Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, mentor staff, and collaborate across functions (business development, programmes, M&E, operations, finance and partners). • Experience with grant writing/resource mobilisation and building academic/technical partnerships is an advantage. • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to technical and non-technical audiences.

Remuneration

A salary package commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications and in line with HST’s job grading system will be offered.

Other Job Details

• Interested applications complete their applications online at: https://careers.hst.org.za/ • Applications are to ensure that their online applications are completed in full, and that comprehensive CVs are uploaded with the online application in order to be considered. • Applicant’s CV must be saved with a filename reflecting their name and surname. • No applications sent via e-mail will be considered for the job, as all applicants must submit their applications online at the provided link. PLEASE NOTE: • All personal information collected is processed lawfully in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). • Shortlisted candidates will be requested to submit certified copies of all qualifications and identity documents. • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. • Correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates. • All shortlisted candidates will be subjected to reference and credential checks. • If you have not been contacted within 30 days of the closing date of this advertisement, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful. • HST reserves the right to not fill this position. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 22 May 2026, at 16h30. Health Systems Trust subscribes to diversity and inclusivity, which is informed by the Company’s Employment Equity Plan. Based on this, African females, Colored females, African males, Colored males and people with disabilities who meet the job specifications (including but not limited to the required skills, knowledge and education), are encouraged to apply.