Afya na Haki Doctoral/Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2026: Fully Remunerated Global Health Research Opportunity

Afya na Haki is inviting applications for a full-time Doctoral/Post-Doctoral Fellow to join the Ubingwa Think Tank for Global Health. This one-year, competitively remunerated opportunity is designed for doctoral researchers and recently qualified PhD holders who want to contribute to research, evidence generation, policy analysis and African thought leadership across health, human rights and global health.

The selected Fellow will work within an Africa-centred research environment that seeks to strengthen the visibility and influence of African knowledge, contextual evidence and leadership in global health policy, practice and public discourse. The appointment will commence in October 2026 and will be based at the Afya na Haki Secretariat.

According to Afya na Haki’s official announcement, the fellowship is particularly relevant to researchers working in Law, Public Health, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Economics and other disciplines connected to the Think Tank’s mandate. Official vacancy announcement

Key Details at a Glance

The application deadline of 4 September 2026 appears in Afya na Haki’s official announcement graphic, although the deadline is not repeated in the downloadable job frame. Applicants should therefore treat 4 September 2026 as the closing date and avoid waiting until the final day. Official Afya na Haki announcement

About Afya na Haki

Afya na Haki, commonly referred to as Ahaki, is an African research and training institution working across health, human rights and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Its approach centres African knowledge, experience, agency and leadership in addressing health and justice challenges affecting the continent.

The institution seeks to co-create and advance African solutions to African problems by engaging African researchers, practitioners, advocates, policymakers and communities. Its vision is to see African potential effectively harnessed and amplified in the realization of health, human rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Afya na Haki’s mission is to facilitate Africentric learning and innovation in these fields. Its institutional values include Pan-Africanism, Ubuntu, innovation, African agency and participation, excellence, integrity, transparency, accountability, learning and reflection. Afya na Haki’s vision, mission and objectives

These priorities make the fellowship particularly relevant to researchers who are interested in producing scholarship that is not disconnected from African realities. Successful research is expected to consider the historical, political, economic, cultural and structural conditions that influence health systems, human rights and social justice across Africa.

About the Ubingwa Think Tank for Global Health

The Ubingwa Think Tank for Global Health operates at the intersection of Afya na Haki and the Ahaki Institute. It was established to address the systemic exclusion or underrepresentation of African perspectives, evidence and leadership in global health.

The Think Tank draws on African knowledge and contextual understanding to help ensure that global health policies and practices reflect the distinctive historical, cultural, political and structural realities of African societies.

Its work is organized around four interconnected thematic areas:

1. Reproductive Justice
2. Health Technologies and Digital Justice
3. Governance of Complex Health Emergencies
4. Health, Trade and Economics

Within these broader areas, the Think Tank also engages with subjects including:

• Global mental health
• Maternal health policy
• Global health justice
• Access to medicines
• Digital health
• Climate justice
• Health equity
• Human rights
• Social justice
• African health policy and governance

The Think Tank connects these areas to wider continental development ambitions, including the realization of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Ubingwa Think Tank for Global Health

Purpose of the Doctoral/Post-Doctoral Fellow Position

The central purpose of the position is to strengthen the work of the Ubingwa Think Tank through rigorous research, knowledge generation, evidence development, scholarship, critical analysis, thought leadership and strategic engagement.

The Fellow will help advance African perspectives and evidence in global health while supporting efforts to increase the influence of African knowledge in policy, practice and international debate.

This is therefore not limited to an individual academic research project. It is an applied research and policy-oriented role that connects scholarship with contemporary health, human rights and social justice challenges.

The successful candidate will be expected to work across academic, policy, legal and practice-based sources, converting complex evidence into material that can inform policymakers, researchers, advocates, practitioners and other decision-makers.

Main Research Responsibilities

1. Conducting and Supporting Research

The Fellow will conduct or contribute to research relevant to the mandate of the Ubingwa Think Tank. This may include:

• Developing relevant and researchable questions
• Conducting literature reviews
• Undertaking evidence reviews
• Gathering and assessing information
• Analysing quantitative or qualitative data, where appropriate
• Contributing to research design and implementation
• Supporting the preparation of research outputs
• Identifying gaps in existing evidence
• Connecting academic research with policy and practice

The position requires a researcher who can move beyond simply collecting information. The Fellow must be able to evaluate the strength, relevance and limitations of evidence and determine what it means for African health systems, human rights and global health governance.

2. Evidence Generation, Synthesis and Analysis

The Fellow will generate, synthesize and analyse evidence from different types of sources, including:

• Peer-reviewed academic literature
• National and regional policies
• Laws and legal decisions
• Government documents
• Institutional reports
• Practice-based evidence
• Civil society research
• Global health frameworks
• Contextual and community knowledge
• Other credible sources relevant to the research question

The resulting evidence will be used to support scholarship, policy engagement, institutional strategy and public thought leadership.

3. Scholarship Across the Think Tank’s Core Themes

The selected Fellow may contribute to research and scholarship across the Think Tank’s four principal areas:

Reproductive Justice

This area may examine how legal, economic, social, political and health systems affect reproductive autonomy, access to services, maternal health, sexual and reproductive rights and reproductive justice.

Health Technologies and Digital Justice

Research under this theme may explore access to digital health systems, the governance of health technologies, digital inequalities, data rights, artificial intelligence in health, technology-related exclusion and the equitable use of health innovations.

Governance of Complex Health Emergencies

This area may cover pandemics, epidemics, health emergencies, preparedness, emergency governance, community participation, institutional accountability and the protection of human rights during crises.

Health, Trade and Economics

Work may consider access to medicines, health financing, trade policy, intellectual property, economic barriers to healthcare, market structures and the relationship between economic policy and health equity.

The Fellow may also contribute to related work on global mental health, maternal health policy, global health justice, digital health, access to medicines and climate justice, depending on their expertise and the Think Tank’s institutional priorities.

Critical Analysis from African Perspectives

An important part of the position is the ability to examine health and global health issues through African perspectives.

The Fellow will be expected to consider:

• Historical influences on African health systems
• Colonial and post-colonial structures
• Cultural and community contexts
• Political institutions and power relations
• Economic inequalities
• Structural barriers to health and human rights
• The treatment of African evidence in international policy processes
• The role of local and Indigenous knowledge
• African leadership in health policy and decision-making

This means that candidates should be able to question assumptions in conventional global health scholarship and examine whether dominant policies adequately reflect African realities.

Monitoring Emerging Health and Human Rights Developments

The Fellow will monitor important developments at multiple levels, including:

• National developments
• Regional African developments
• Pan-African policy processes
• International health policy
• Human rights developments
• Global health governance
• Emerging legal and regulatory issues
• New technologies and health innovations
• Changes affecting health equity and social justice

The Fellow must identify the possible implications of these developments for Africa and translate them into timely research, commentary, recommendations or briefing materials.

Policy, Legal and Contextual Analysis

Depending on the Fellow’s academic and professional background, the role may involve:

• Analysing laws and regulations
• Reviewing public policies
• Examining legal judgments
• Assessing policy implementation
• Comparing regional and international frameworks
• Identifying institutional or regulatory gaps
• Developing evidence-informed policy recommendations
• Explaining the likely effects of policies on African communities

The role is suitable for scholars who can connect theoretical or legal analysis with practical policy consequences.

Development of Knowledge Products

The Fellow will contribute to a broad range of written outputs. These may include:

• Research papers
• Discussion papers
• Policy briefs
• Analytical articles
• Commentaries
• Institutional reports
• Briefing notes
• Conference materials
• Evidence summaries
• Other academic or policy-oriented publications

Candidates must therefore demonstrate a strong ability to write clearly, accurately and persuasively.

The Fellow should be capable of producing rigorous academic material while also translating technical evidence into accessible language for non-academic audiences such as policymakers, advocates, civil society organizations and practitioners.

Participation in Policy and Intellectual Engagements

The role will involve more than desk-based research. The Fellow may contribute to:

• Policy dialogues
• Academic conferences
• Seminars
• Roundtable discussions
• Strategic meetings
• Intellectual exchanges
• National policy engagements
• Regional and Pan-African forums
• Global health discussions

Through these engagements, the Fellow will help present evidence, promote African perspectives and support the Think Tank’s contribution to global health policy and decision-making.

Amplifying African Knowledge and Leadership

A major objective of the position is to strengthen the visibility and influence of African voices in global health.

The Fellow will support efforts to:

• Amplify African research and scholarship
• Document African health experiences
• Promote African leadership in policy debates
• Integrate local and contextual knowledge into global health practice
• Challenge the marginalization of African evidence
• Strengthen Africa-centred policy recommendations
• Support more equitable global health decision-making

This dimension of the role makes it particularly suitable for researchers whose work is grounded in African contexts or who can demonstrate a serious, evidence-based appreciation of African knowledge and leadership.

Partnership and Network Development

The Fellow will contribute to relationships with stakeholders such as:

• Universities
• Individual researchers
• Academic networks
• Think tanks
• Civil society organizations
• Policymakers
• Government institutions
• Health practitioners
• Human rights advocates
• Regional and international institutions
• Other stakeholders working in related fields

The Fellow must be comfortable working across professional and disciplinary boundaries and contributing constructively to collaborative research and policy initiatives.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Institutional Learning

The position requires openness to interdisciplinary approaches. Global health problems frequently involve law, economics, politics, public health, technology, culture, gender, human rights and social policy at the same time.

The Fellow will therefore be expected to:

• Work with colleagues from different disciplines
• Contribute to collaborative research
• Engage respectfully with different methodological approaches
• Participate in institutional learning
• Share research knowledge with colleagues
• Identify emerging research opportunities
• Explore innovative approaches relevant to the Think Tank’s mandate
• Undertake other reasonable responsibilities assigned by the supervisor

The complete responsibilities are provided in the official Doctoral/Post-Doctoral Fellow job frame.

Required Academic Qualifications

Candidates must satisfy one of the following doctoral-stage requirements:

• Hold a PhD that was awarded within the last two years; or
• Be at the research or dissertation stage of a doctoral degree.

The doctoral qualification or ongoing doctoral research should be in one of the following fields:

• Law
• Public Health
• Social Sciences
• Gender Studies
• Human Rights
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
• Development Studies
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Economics
• Another discipline relevant to the mandate of the Ubingwa Think Tank for Global Health

Candidates from related interdisciplinary fields may also be considered where they can clearly demonstrate how their research connects with the Think Tank’s work.

Required Academic or Professional Experience

Applicants must demonstrate academic or professional engagement with one or more relevant areas, including:

• Health
• Human rights
• Global health
• Social justice
• Reproductive justice
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Health policy
• Health economics
• Digital health or digital justice
• Climate and health
• Access to medicines
• Related areas relevant to the institution’s work

The official job frame does not prescribe a minimum number of years of professional experience. Eligibility is instead based on the applicant’s doctoral status, research discipline, relevant engagement and demonstrated competencies.

Key Competencies

Applicants should be able to demonstrate the following:

Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

The candidate must be able to identify underlying issues, evaluate assumptions, compare competing explanations and develop well-supported conclusions.

Research and Evidence Skills

Applicants should be capable of generating, analysing and synthesizing evidence from multiple sources. Experience with literature reviews, policy research, legal research, qualitative research, quantitative analysis or interdisciplinary methods may be relevant depending on the candidate’s specialization.

Written and Verbal Communication

Strong academic and professional communication skills are essential. Candidates must be able to develop high-quality written outputs and communicate research findings effectively in meetings, presentations and policy discussions.

Audience-Appropriate Communication

The Fellow must be able to explain complex issues to different audiences. A research paper written for academics will require a different approach from a briefing prepared for policymakers or a commentary intended for the wider public.

Independent and Collaborative Working

The successful candidate must be capable of managing individual research responsibilities while also contributing effectively to interdisciplinary teams and institutional initiatives.

Intellectual Curiosity

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in emerging issues, new evidence and alternative perspectives. Openness to interdisciplinary research is particularly important.

Research-to-Policy Ability

The Fellow must understand how evidence can influence policy, practice, advocacy and strategic engagement. Strong candidates will be able to explain not only what their research has found but also why those findings matter.

Appreciation of African Contexts

Candidates must demonstrate a meaningful appreciation of African contexts, knowledge, perspectives and leadership. Generic global health experience without a clear understanding of African realities may not be sufficient for this role.

Remuneration and Terms of Engagement

The appointment will be:

• Full-time
• One year in duration
• Commencing in October 2026
• Competitively remunerated in accordance with Afya na Haki’s applicable terms and conditions

Afya na Haki has not published the exact salary, allowances, relocation assistance, health coverage or other financial benefits in the public job frame. Applicants should not assume that relocation, visa or housing costs will be covered unless the institution confirms this separately.

The Fellow will report directly to the Head of the Ubingwa Think Tank for Global Health. Afya na Haki’s official social announcement describes the opportunity as fully remunerated.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

4 September 2026

No closing time or time zone has been stated. Applicants should submit or confirm their application well before the deadline.

The fellowship is expected to begin in October 2026, leaving a relatively short period between the closing date and the anticipated commencement of the appointment.

How to Apply

Applicants should first visit the official Afya na Haki vacancy page and download the complete job frame.

At the time this article was prepared, the public vacancy page and downloadable job frame did not clearly specify:

• The formal application portal or email submission procedure
• The mandatory application documents
• The email subject line
• Whether reference letters are required
• Whether a research proposal is required
• Whether a writing sample is required
• Whether international relocation or work authorization support is available

Candidates should verify these points directly with Afya na Haki instead of relying on assumptions. The organization’s official contact details are:

• Email: info@afyanahaki.org
• Telephone: +256 414 660 733
• Address: Plot 6105 Valley Road, Canaan Sites, Gayaza Nakwero, Uganda
• Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The general contact email should be used for clarification unless Afya na Haki provides a separate recruitment address or application form. It should not automatically be treated as the confirmed submission channel without checking.

Recommended Application Preparation

Although the official job frame does not list a mandatory application package, prospective applicants should be ready to prepare the following documents if requested:

1. An updated academic or professional CV
2. A tailored cover or motivation letter
3. Evidence of PhD completion or current doctoral registration
4. Confirmation that the applicant is at the dissertation or research stage, where applicable
5. A concise statement of research interests
6. Relevant publications or writing samples
7. Details of policy, legal or professional research experience
8. Academic or professional references
9. Evidence of work connected to African health, human rights or social justice
10. A short explanation of how the applicant’s expertise aligns with the Think Tank’s thematic priorities

These are preparation recommendations rather than confirmed mandatory requirements. Applicants should follow the final instructions issued by Afya na Haki.

How to Strengthen an Application

A competitive application should clearly demonstrate alignment with the position rather than presenting only a general academic profile.

Applicants should consider the following:

Connect Previous Research to the Think Tank’s Themes

Explain how existing or proposed doctoral research relates to reproductive justice, health technologies, digital justice, health emergencies, health economics, trade, global mental health, maternal health, access to medicines, climate justice or another relevant subject.

Demonstrate an African-Centred Perspective

Show how the research addresses African evidence, institutions, communities or policy challenges. Avoid treating Africa as a single uniform context. Strong applications should demonstrate an understanding of variation across countries, communities and health systems.

Show Evidence of Research-to-Policy Work

Include examples of policy briefs, legal analyses, reports, consultations, advisory work, advocacy research or stakeholder engagement where available.

Highlight Strong Writing

Because the position involves research papers, discussion papers, policy briefs, articles, commentaries and reports, applicants should identify their strongest publications or professional writing outputs.

Explain Interdisciplinary Value

Candidates should show how their discipline can contribute to broader global health questions. A lawyer might demonstrate understanding of public health evidence, while an economist might connect financing questions to human rights and health equity.

Be Precise About Doctoral Status

Applicants should state:

• The exact doctoral degree
• The university
• The research subject
• The current stage of the degree
• The PhD award date, if already completed
• The expected completion date, if still enrolled

Recent PhD graduates should confirm that the degree was awarded within the two-year eligibility window.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The fellowship provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of academic research, policy analysis, human rights and global health thought leadership.

Its structure may be particularly valuable for researchers who want to:

• Produce policy-relevant scholarship
• Strengthen their publication portfolio
• Engage with African and international research networks
• Contribute to debates on health equity and social justice
• Translate doctoral research into practical recommendations
• Participate in policy dialogues and intellectual forums
• Promote African knowledge in global health decision-making
• Develop interdisciplinary research experience
• Work on emerging health, legal, economic and technological issues

However, candidates should make their decision based on the confirmed terms offered by Afya na Haki. The public announcement does not disclose the salary amount, relocation arrangements, visa support or detailed employee benefits.

Conclusion

The Afya na Haki Doctoral/Post-Doctoral Fellow opportunity is a significant opening for an emerging or recently qualified doctoral researcher interested in African-centred global health scholarship.

The successful Fellow will contribute to research, evidence generation, critical analysis, knowledge production, policy engagement and thought leadership across health, human rights and social justice. The role is especially relevant to candidates who can connect rigorous academic work with African contexts and practical policy challenges.

Eligible candidates should review the official job frame carefully, verify the application procedure directly with Afya na Haki and complete their applications before 4 September 2026. Because the engagement is expected to begin in October 2026, candidates should also assess their availability for a full-time, one-year appointment at the Afya na Haki Secretariat.

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