Research Lead, Capacity Building (P-4)

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU's work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals' full breadth, 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.

For more information, please visit http://unu.edu.

About United Nations University – International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH):

UNU-IIGH is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-IIGH was established in 2007 to advance evidence-based policy on key issues related to sustainable development and global health. UNU-IIGH aims to build knowledge and capacity in global health for decision making by UN agencies, UN programs and Member states towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The aim is to contribute to the development and strengthening of health policy frameworks and management actions, particularly for people in developing countries, and support the implementation of promotive and preventive approaches to human health. The UNU-IIGH's research and capacity building in global health relates specifically to informing the policy debates and directions that ensure that in keeping with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that "no one is left behind".

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.

Research Leads at UNU-IIGH are expected to develop and lead programs of research and capacity building, focusing on generating knowledge and informing critical policy debates across UN agencies and member states.

UNU-IIGH seeks to appoint a Research Lead to continue a program of work on "capacity strengthening for local decision making", building on the core programming that is currently focused on implementation research and health systems research. Despite the ever-growing suite of health interventions and technologies (for disease control, addressing gender equity, for improving access to effective health systems, enhancing primary health care and community engagement, etc.) demonstration of desired impact remains limited. UNU-IIGH has built a network of strategic partnerships to support research capacity, particularly in low- and middle-income settings where health systems often lack established mechanisms for high quality data collection, analytics, and translation, and the multidisciplinary capacity to engage with challenges using intersectional analyses. The UNU-IIGH capacity strengthening program engages with partners and key stakeholders, including in Malaysia, across academic, civil society, government and policy making communities, to develop training materials, conduct workshops, and develop knowledge products to promote the use of evidence within the policy making process. Critically, the program promotes perspectives from the “Global South” and is oriented towards addressing implementation challenges related to gender and intersecting inequalities.

Responsibilities

Under the leadership of the Director, the Research Lead will:

• Lead and further develop the capacity strengthening portfolio, oriented towards government, civil society, and university partners.

• Lead the workstream on developing flagship courses and creating demand-driven training materials responsive to researchers and policy makers in low- and middle-income settings.

• Strengthen strategic partnerships with UN agency partners and mobilise external resources for the activities of the Program.

• Manage research projects with external researchers and partners.

• Carry out teaching, training and supervision within the capacity building programs of the Institute, including direct supervision of interns, junior researchers, PhD students, and post-doctoral fellows.

• Build on ongoing partnerships and collaborations and create new opportunities for collaborations within the institute related to training, research, and evidence dissemination within the UNU-IIGH strategic plan.

• Contribute effectively to other pillars of work.

• Participate in local and international research, policy, and outreach events.

• Oversee the preparation and implementation of relevant conferences, communications, and meeting activities within the remit of UNU-IIGH.

• Produce research and management reports and the publication of policy-relevant research outputs.

• Engage with members of the UN Country Team and other regional agencies in providing support towards the achievement of the SDGs.

• Prepare and present seminars for specialist and non-specialist audiences.

• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Director.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion - Take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity.

• Integrity - Act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards.

• Humility - Demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others.

• Humanity - Act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet.

Behaviours:

• Connect and Collaborate - Build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

• Analyse and Plan - Seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action

• Deliver Results with Positive Impact - Hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves

• Learn and Develop - Pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others

• Adapt and Innovate - Demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• PhD in public health, political science, policy analysis or related field.

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively senior professional work experience, including the management of research and/or training programs.

• Exceptional partnership building, coordination, and management skills.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and carry out capacity strengthening activities in an international environment.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver high quality products to external partners, particularly across the UN agencies.

• Evidence of academic and peer-reviewed publications related to the program area outlined above.

• Demonstrated track record in international research and training in areas related to the Institute's research program including implementation research.

• Excellent verbal and written skills in English across a range of communication formats (academic publications, program reports, policy briefs) knowledge of other official UN languages would be an asset.

• Strong track record of resource mobilisation from 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.

Remuneration:

UNU offers an attractive, tax-exempt compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy. For more information please see: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SAL

Duration of contract:

This is a full-time fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.

For academic positions, the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector's authority. They may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.

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 organization. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also 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.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU.

Scam warning

UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.