Sexual and reproductive health scientist

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) strives to advance science and health for all, through innovative research, advanced education, capacity-building and capacity-sharing with partner institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Department of Public Health at ITM aims to improve the understanding of interlinked determinants of population health, including system-level, sociocultural, ecological and biological; to develop, implement and evaluate interventions that support and strengthen health of individuals and communities; and to co-create knowledge and capacity to contextualise, prevent, detect and adapt to local and global health challenges and threats. 

Within the Department of Public Health, the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) group aims to contribute to the improvement of sexual, reproductive, and maternal health of populations primarily (but not only) in low-resource settings, by collaborations in innovative research, advanced education, policy support and capacity-strengthening. We use quantitative, qualitative and mixed method inter-disciplinary approaches (e.g. epidemiology, sociology, anthropology, psychology, demography) to understand risks and vulnerability as an evidence base towards improving outcomes. The SRH Group has two units: the HIV and Sexual Health unit and the Reproductive and Maternal Health unit.  

Within the dynamic and interdisciplinary Reproductive and Maternal Health unit, there is an exciting opportunity for a scientist in sexual and reproductive health to support ongoing projects. 

Your role:

The Reproductive and Maternal Health Unit is supporting ENABEL to ensure that its projects improve access to high quality healthcare meeting the needs of populations, and in particular women, girls, and vulnerable people. Examples of focus areas include strengthening of emergency obstetric care provision and improving access to and quality of sexual and reproductive health services, particularly among youth and adolescents. This includes provision on family planning services, improving prevention and care for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and implementation of participatory and sustainable health responses. 

The Reproductive and Maternal Health Unit at ITM Antwerp is looking for a highly motivated scientist to support this portfolio of work in Burundi, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea, and potentially others. The profile we are seeking is a French-speaking clinician with experience in sexual and reproductive health programming and research, ideally through previous exposure to various health systems, including in sub-Saharan Africa. The scientist will be responsible for coordinating and managing the project within ITM, as well as undertake facilitation and liaison activities between ITM, Enabel, and country-based institutions. The role will involve frequent travel to and stay in the programme countries. 

Tasks will include:    

• Overall project management and coordination 

• Development of new and support of existing action research projects within the topic of sexual and reproductive health, sexual violence and gender   

• Leading and supporting project evaluations  

• Development of protocols for scientific work, including for ethics review 

• Training and liaising with local institutions and researchers to accomplish planned work, and finding synergies between planned work to optimise learning and cross-fertilisation 

• Supervise collection of primary data; both qualitative and quantitative 

• Analysis of qualitative and quantitative data 

• Drafting of reports as per reporting guidelines  

• Contribute to the review and adaptation of national clinical guidelines 

• Reviewing the literature on evidence-based practices 

• Preparation of scientific manuscripts and support in preparation of scientific outputs for conferences and other scientific fora 

• Liaison with Enabel, ITM, and local stakeholders 

Your profile: 

We are looking for a person who has relevant clinical training. We will consider applications from postdoctoral scientists as well as people without a PhD but with relevant experience. 

Essential: 

• Education:  

• (Bio)medical degree (clinician, midwife, etc)  

• Masters degree in public health, epidemiology or other relevant discipline 

• Experience:  

• Experience with sexual and reproductive health research, programmes and/or policies 

• Experience with implementation and/or monitoring/evaluation of health programmes, including building theory of change, writing research protocols, preparing and supporting data collection, and conducting data analysis 

• Language: You are fluent in French and English 

• Strong project management/organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage different stakeholders 

• You have experience in writing reports which are well targeted to a particular audience  

• You are able to work to work independently, as well as with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team respectfully and are open-minded 

• You are willing and able to travel to project countries as required and provide remote support 

• You have the right to work in Belgium 

Desirable: 

• Scientific publications 

• Experience in low and/or low- and middle-income countries is an asset, particularly exposure to a variety of health systems and environments with multiple stakeholders. 

• A PhD is an asset but not absolutely necessary; expertise in the subject and prior exposure will be valued highly. 

We offer you:  

The ITM is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive Institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to the socially relevant mission of the ITM. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients. We offer you: 

• A full-time contract for employment based at the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, reporting to the Head of the Reproductive and Maternal Health Unit. Starting date as soon as possible, ideally September 2025. 

• A contract for undefined duration, but linked to the funding of the project which is available for 36 months 

• Salary package commensurate to profile/experience with supplementary benefits, such as private pension scheme, meal voucher subscription and reimbursement of transport 

• An intellectually stimulating, international and socially committed environment, encouraging personal initiative and development 

• Highly motivated, professional and experienced team members  

• A workplace in the historical and vibrant city centre of Antwerp 

• The possibility of structural telework up to maximum 2 days/week. Telework is only possible in Belgium