Research Fellow –International Institute for Global Health

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on the pressing global problems of human survival, conflict prevention, development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 13 countries, UNU’s work spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

About the UNU International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH)

UNU-IIGH is one of 14 research and training institutes that comprise the UNU system. UNU-IIGH was established in 2005 with the mission to advance evidence-based policy on key issues related to sustainable development and global health. UNU-IIGH aims to build knowledge and capacity for decision-making by UN agencies, UN programmes, and member states towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNU-IIGH is hosted in Malaysia, thanks to an endowment by the Malaysian Government. The status of UNU-IIGH in Malaysia is as a resident UN agency. However, its mandate is global, with a focus on global health priorities linked to sustainable development in low- and middle-income countries. As a neutral convener, and leveraging its position within the UN, UNU-IIGH works with a network of academic, policy, and civil society experts to serve as a platform for critical thinking and exchange of knowledge and tools for policy influence and capacity building.

Responsibilities

Under its current strategy (2019-2023), UNU-IIGH has prioritised the generation of policy-relevant analyses on gender and health. As part of this work, it is launching a Policy Hub to provide a platform for collaboration, practice-based learning, and co-production of critical analyses and evidence, as well as to broker new partnerships and alliances to extend the sources of evidence and support dissemination and policy translation.

The Research Fellow will lead a programme of research under the Hub on reviewing, consolidating and translating evidence on effective approaches to promote gender equity in health policies and programmes. Under the leadership of the Director and the pillar lead, the Research Fellow will:

• contribute effectively to the Gender and Health Policy Hub of the Institute, and the publication of policy-relevant research outputs
• provide technical and managerial leadership for the successful implementation of research and policy engagement activities
• build and manage partnerships with external researchers and partners
• ensure the project produces specified results to the required standard of quality and within the timeline and budget parameters
• participate in international research, policy and outreach events
• supervise postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, junior researchers, and interns
• perform other tasks as assigned by the Directorate

Required qualifications and experience

Required qualifications and experience include:

• a PhD in public health or related field
• a minimum of 7 years of progressively senior professional work experience, including the management of research and training programmes
• demonstrated ability to carry out and manage research activities in an international environment
• evidence of academic and peer-reviewed publications related to gender and health
• demonstrated track record in international research and policy engagement in areas related to the institute’s research programme
• evidence of teaching and research supervision experience
• excellent verbal and written skills in English across a range of communication formats (academic publications, programme reports, policy briefs). Knowledge of another official UN language would be an asset
• track record of competitive funding and resource mobilisation from national and international funding agencies
• excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi- ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply and become part of the organisation. Applicants from the Global South and women are particularly encouraged to apply.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination.

Remuneration:

We offer a competitive net salary (tax-exempted) at P3 level including post adjustment, which is subject to change. The post carries the standard set of UN entitlements/benefits, including participation in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, the possibility of participation in a health insurance programme, education grant for eligible children, removal expenses and home leave. For more information please visit:

http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html

The Rector reserves the right to appoint suitable candidate at a lower category.

This position carries an annual leave entitlement of 2.5 working days per month (a total of 30 days of paid annual leave).

Duration of contract

This is a full time fixed-term appointment based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The initial appointment will be for a period of one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to funding and satisfactory work performance. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Rector and may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University.

Starting date

1 July 2020.