Chair, Family Medicine Tanzania at Aga Khan University | June 2024

Introduction

The Aga Khan University is a pioneering institution of higher education whose mission is to improve the quality of life in the developing world and beyond, through world-class teaching, research, and healthcare delivery. AKU educates students for local and global leadership from campuses and teaching hospitals in six countries, primarily in Asia and Africa. Aga Khan University generates new knowledge to solve problems that affect millions of people, especially the most vulnerable. The University is a private, not-for-profit institution and part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.aku.edu).

Established in 2004, the Aga Khan University Medical College Tanzania seeks to provide high quality education for health professional leaders who will then go on to become reputable specialists generating a positive and lasting impact in the lives of their patients and in the communities they serve. It provides individuals with the opportunity to practice medicine at the highest level of education and research. The four-year training program leads to the award of a Master of Medicine in various specialties, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics & Child Health, and General Surgery. Candidates are selected for programs based on merit and their commitment to mastering the 21st century skills necessary to excel in medicine. The teaching style is evidence-based and involves direct hands-on practice under the supervision of experienced faculty, utilizing state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities at The Aga Khan Hospital in Dares Salaam, a Joint Commission International Accredited (JCIA) hospital.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Dean of the Medical College in East Africa and the CEO AKH-Dares Salaam, the department chair is primarily a faculty member in the department and is also the department’s chief academic, clinical and administrative officer responsible to both the faculty of the department and to the Aga Khan University. These dual roles require that the chair interpret University policies to the members of the department and ensure their effective execution and at the same time represent individual and group concerns of department members to the Medical College administration and to the University. The chair is expected to provide visionary leadership of the department and to oversee the departmental strategic planning to improve the quality of the clinical, educational, and research programs. Such planning should be considered within the overall vision of the University, the Medical College, and the Aga Khan Hospital, Dares Salaam. The Chair will also be expected to be the liaison between the department, other AKU departments and relevant external bodies and/or agencies.

Requirements

• Appointable as an Assistant Professor or higher;
• Master of Medicine (Specialization in Family Medicine) is required. Sub-specialization will be an added advantage;
• Registered, or registrable, and allowed to practice by the Medical Council of Tanganyika (MCT);
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a successful administrative leader at an academic institution. Should have served as a division chief, vice chair, or chair who has developed academic leaders, mentored and developed junior faculty, and identified and recruited diverse students, trainees, staff and faculty;
• Understanding of the complex financial pressures facing academic medical centers and health care delivery organizations and experience with strategies to control and reduce cost of care (length of stay, appropriate use of facilities and resources);
• Capable of defining the research vision for the entire Department and providing basic research and grant mentorship and experience leading a successful research program, either clinical, population-based basic science or data science with proven track record of significant growth in funding, publications and national or international reputation. Maintain an understanding and be prepared to take advantage of research funding and development trends as they evolve;
• Experience of expanding and fostering strong clinical programmes and leading complex clinical programs focused on access, high quality, and outstanding patient satisfaction;
• Having a vision to recognize areas for growth and ability to lead and support faculty as they develop new opportunities a create a strong and impassioned vision for building excellence in all aspects of the academic mission;
• High reputation for personal academic accomplishments with a record of scholarly academic accomplishments as reflected in number and impact of publications, history of successful research funding, and service in national and international societies;
• Business mindset with healthcare reimbursement moving from a volume-based system to a value-based system and with an increasing focus on managing the health of populations, the successful candidate should understand and implement a strategy for these market expectations.

Desired Personal Characteristics and Behaviours

• Exemplify scholarly excellence and provide guidance and support to other academic leaders;
• Outstanding organizational and administrative abilities, with an in-depth understanding of internal processes in a university or healthcare system; and the ability to identify areas for improvement in terms of efficiency and effectiveness;
• A strategic thinker with the ability to support strategic planning and implementation effectively;
• Commitment to community engagement and partnership with a desire to have impact at a national or international level;
• Highly organized with strong process-management skills;
• Ability to build teams and provide leadership within a horizontal organizational structure;
• Lead with a collaborative, transparent, and open approach, with the ability to make sound decisions that drive the college, faculty and staff forward;
• Fair, consistent, strategic, and inspiring to faculty and staff;
• High integrity and ethical standards;
• Clear and articulate communication skills.

How to Apply

If you meet the criteria for this position, please email your application letter, a detailed Curriculum Vitae, and the contact information of three referees addressed to the to the Senior Manager Executive Search, Human Resources at Aga Khan University at hr.recruitment@aku.edu with the title of the position specified in the subject line. The deadline for submitting applications is 15th July 2024.

Only candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.