Assistant Manager, Research Office

Assistant Manager, Research Office

Entity: Aga Khan University

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction:

Aga Khan University (AKU), a private, self-governing international university chartered in Pakistan in 1983, is a role model for academic, research and service programmes in health and higher education in the developing world. The University currently has teaching sites in Pakistan, East Africa, the United Kingdom and Afghanistan, and is a major component of Aga Khan Development Network.

The Office of Research and Graduate Studies is the central coordination entity which supports the overall vision of the University to conduct research that contributes to the global body of knowledge and advances public policy in response to the real needs of communities and people in the developing world.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Aga Khan University invites applications for the position of Assistant Manager in the Research Office.

Responsibilities:

You will be responsible to:

• prepare documentation and reports for approval within the University and for presentation to senior leadership, Board of Trustees, and external stakeholders
• draft memos, presentations, and speeches for conferences, workshops, and meetings on behalf of the Vice Provost, Research
• conduct background research and thematic reviews to support strategic decision-making in research administration
• serve as secretary for key Research Office committees, preparing minutes and ensuring timely follow-up of action items
• coordinate official and protocol visits on behalf of the Vice Provost, including logistics and campus tours
• provide administrative and coordination support for Research Strategy and Research Forum working groups, including drafting Terms of Reference, organizing meetings, and tracking deliverables
• plan and execute bi-weekly sessions and events under the Research Initiative for Scholars Excellence (RISE) program, including logistics, communications, and maintaining virtual learning content
• provide oversight on major research events, working with Admin, Comms, AV, and IT teams to ensure smooth execution
• maintain research records, data archives, and publication statistics for reporting
• prepare and maintain statistical data on research activities and faculty publications for reporting to government bodies and academic institutions
• manage institutional funding portals, including registration, maintenance, and submission of grants
• undertake any other related tasks assigned by the Vice Provost, Research or designee.

Requirements:

You should have:

• master’s degree with 5+ years of executive support experience in higher education, corporate, or development sectors.
• strong judgment, analytical ability, and professionalism in handling sensitive situations.
• excellent English communication skills (written and verbal) with report-writing expertise.
• proactive problem-solving, adaptability to changing priorities, and relationship-building skills.
• proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; EndNote, project management, or design/graphics skills are an advantage.
• willingness to learn, take on new responsibilities, and grow in expertise.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.