Policy Research Fellow – Power & Accountability (P3) (PSA)

Position description

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge, furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. UNU’s mission 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, United Nations University (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, 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 the Institute (UNU-IIGH, Kuala Lumpur)

UNU-International Institute for Global Health is one of 14 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in 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. 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 consensus-building. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu/iigh. 

The position

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. For details, please visit: https://unu.edu/iigh/our-work.

The position

UNU-IIGH is looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and extensive experience to contribute to a work programme on power and accountability in global health. The programme sets out to improve the functioning of the global health system and enhance its effectiveness in reducing health inequalities, promote anti-colonial approaches to global health improvement and ensure more democratic and accountable modes of governance. The successful candidate is expected to be based in Kuala Lumpur where he/she will enjoy an excellent multicultural environment and opportunities to interact with scholars and policy makers from different countries and diverse educational backgrounds.

Responsibilities

The Policy Research Fellow will be:

• Generating and helping to disseminate policy-relevant research 

• Synthesizing policy-relevant evidence and producing working papers and policy briefs

• Helping to convene multi-stakeholder meetings and discussions, representing the Institute in meetings and forums

• Contributing to the information, education and communication activities

• Providing administrative and managerial input into the successful implementation of research and policy engagement activities

• Building capacity of researchers, policymakers and civil society organisations in the Global South through training and production of manuals and other knowledge products

• Producing specified outputs to the required standard of quality and within the timeline and budget parameters, resource mobilization related to work package

• Contributing to resource mobilization related to work package

• Supervise and mentor policy research associates, PhD students, junior researchers, and interns; and

• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director or Research Leads

Qualifications

Required qualifications and experience for the position include: 

• Master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant professional experience, including evidence of growing technical and management responsibility; or 

• PhD in a relevant field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience, including evidence of growing technical and management responsibility 

• Demonstrated track record in international research and policy engagement in areas related to the work package

• Demonstrated competencies in both quantitative and qualitative research design, data analysis and interpretation

• Track record of competitive funding and resource mobilization from national and international funding agencies

• 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.

• Evidence of academic and peer-reviewed publications related to relevant areas of the work packages

• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

Desirable

• Evidence of teaching and research supervision experience

• Familiarity with gender-responsive research and/or programming

• Experience in working on interdisciplinary research projects

• Knowledge of global health governance structures and processes

• Knowledge of implementation research and systems thinking approaches

• Experience of work in a low- and middle-income country setting

Remuneration

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 of in the range of USD 59,151.00 and USD 62,024.00, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days of annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of PSA holders.

Application instructions

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