UNU-International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) Policy Research Fellow 2025 (Paid) Deadline: 18 March, 2025

Applications are open for the UNU-International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) Policy Research Fellow 2025. Over the course of the previous strategic plan (2019-2023), UNU-IIGH has built a significant body of work to advance the integration of rights-based and gender-responsive approaches to health systems and institutions, contributing to the overarching SDG of health for all. Leveraging its position in the Global South and as an interlocutor across multiple stakeholder groups, including government, research and the private sector, through its new strategic plan for 2024-2028 the institute operates across 4 fundamental work packages.

UNU-IIGH is recruiting a policy research fellow for the following 3 work packages each.

• Gender Equality and Intersectionality: aim to improve the quality of health care through human-centred approaches and to use this as an entry point for health systems strengthening. Two main thematic areas are strengthening human centered health systems and advancing enabling environments for the health workforce.
• Digital Health Security & Governance: address the colonial legacies and power asymmetries that negatively impact robust digital health governance, identify ways to strengthen health data governance with a particular focus on SRHR and promote diversity in technology design and development.
• Climate Justice and Determinants of Health: amplify and translate research that demonstrates the inequalities underpinning the health impacts of the climate emergency and highlighting the power asymmetries that determine the capabilities of communities to undertake mitigation and adaptation measures to safeguard against the negative health impacts of the climate emergency. The work package aims to enable fair and justice-oriented arrangements overcoming the climate and health crisis. It will develop critical thinking, platforms, dialogues and capacities for change that redress and transform inequities in climate and health policy.

Under the leadership of the Director and supervision of the respective Research Leads, UNU-IIGH is looking for outstanding researchers for these work packages, who will provide technical input as well as manage selected projects, leading the production of policy-relevant analyses and research, convening critical policy dialogues and developing capacity strengthening initiatives.

Responsibilities

Working on selected projects within the relevant work package, the Policy Research Fellow will:

• Lead on selected projects within the relevant work package, and the generation and dissemination of policy-relevant research
• 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 projects produce specified results to the required standard of quality and within the timeline and budget parameters
• Contribute to capacity development, knowledge translation and policy dialogue facilitation
• Contribute to resource mobilization related to the work package
• Participate in international research, policy and outreach events
• Supervise policy research associates, PhD students, junior researchers, interns; and
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director or Research Leads

Benefits

• The successful candidate will be employed under a PSA contract at P-3 level and no relocation allowances apply. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary in the range of USD59,151.00 – USD62,024.00, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days of annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

Eligibility

• Master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant progressively senior professional experience, including the management of research, training and policy programmes; or
• PhD in a relevant field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant progressively senior professional experience, including the management of research, training and policy programmes;
• Demonstrated ability to carry out and manage development research activities in an international environment;
• Evidence of academic and peer-reviewed publications related to relevant areas of the work packages;
• Demonstrated track record in international research and policy engagement in areas related to the work package;
• 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 mobilization from national and international funding agencies; and
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Deadline: 18 March, 2025

Application

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, they ask that you:

• Apply here;
• fill out the UNU P11 Form (avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations or else, will be disqualified);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form);
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position, including ranking of which work package you would like to be considered for; and
• previous applicants need not apply.

For more information, visit UNU-IIGH Policy Research Fellow.