Post-Doctoral Fellowship (2) & Interns(2) – AMARI-II at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY AND MENTAL HEALTH

BACKGROUND

The African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI) is a mental health research capacity building programme. AMARI-II builds on the initial AMARI-I which ran from 2016 – 2021. AMARI-II is being implemented with funding support of the second phase of the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training, and Science in Africa (DELTAS Africa), an initiative of the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA) with funding support of Wellcome and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). AMARI-II is a consortium of six African universities whose overall goal is to build excellence in leadership, training, and science amongst African scholars in mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) research in Africa. AMARI-II aims to shift the centre of gravity in Global Mental Health (GMH) by ensuring that African scientists become leaders in GMH research, training and implementation. Key focus will be on strengthening AMARI-II’s collective ability to introduce interventions that reduce the treatment gap for mental health disorders in Africa. The AMARI-II project at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences invites applications for two Post- doctoral fellowships and two interns for the 2024/25 intake.

1. Post-Doctoral Fellowship – 2 positions

Duration – 2 Years

Location – Blantyre

This funding opportunity is to build scientific excellence in MNS research through collaboration with universities in Africa and the UK. In addition to research training, fellows will be trained in research leadership, management, and mentorship. There will be a strong focus on developing community-based intervention strategies with the aim of addressing the treatment gap that exists in Sub-Saharan Africa.

ELIGIBILITY

• Have completed a PhD. Program within 4 years in a relevant mental health related discipline such as Global Mental Health, Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology or an equivalent qualification recognized by Kamuzu University of Health Sciences.

• Show strong personal motivation for research in MNS

2. Interns – 2 Positions

Location- Blantyre

Duration – 2 years

Critical questions around sustainability is at the core of AMARI-II. Achieving this would require a strong advocacy strategy with policy-makers. To this end AMARI-II will engage in both political and public advocacy around the formulation/review of critical policy required for sustaining the gains of the AMARI-II philosophy. This will be achieved through a multi-modal policy-maker engagement approach, spanning provision of high-quality data for decision-making (including the conduct of Political Economy Analysis in each of the partner countries), consultations/engagements with key government ministries from the inception of the programme to get their buy-in. We will also employ use of policy briefs to guide government leaders in their policy development and implementation processes. Policy and/or legislation briefs will be shared with civil society organizations, accountability mechanisms and the media. Through these methods, we will achieve improved policy performance through better formulated and implemented mental health policies, with governance functions carried out responsively, efficiently, effectively, and equitably. Underpinning these activities will be our strategy to involve motivated policymakers at the local and regional level who will co-create aspects of the AMARI-II research.

Expectations

The interns will work on policy brief writing as indicated about and they will be included as co-authors in relevant scientific publications.

They will be given a platform at workshops and scientific meetings to present and articulate local and regional policies within the context of global mental health.

ELIGIBILITY

• Have completed a Master’s Degree in a relevant mental health-related discipline such as Global Mental Health, Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology, or an equivalent qualification recognized by Kamuzu University of Health Sciences.

Method Of Application

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should send their applications including a cover letter, CV with names, emails, and contact of professional referees and copies of relevant certificates to:

The Registrar

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences,

Mahatma Gandhi Road Campus,

P/Bag 360,

Chichiri,

Blantyre 3.

Or email to: [email protected]

Indicate the position applied for on the envelope for hard copy applications and indicate the same in the subject line of your email for electronic submissions. Applications should reach the Registrar not later than 23^rd February 2024.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Reference checks shall be conducted on successful candidates.

Download the advert from the link posted below: