About United Nations University

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.

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 (2024-2028) the institute is well positioned to further deepen its footprint on advancing evidence to policy translation in this field.

Through the Gender Equality and Intersectionality work package, over the next five years, the institute aims to contribute to improvements in quality of health care through human-centred approaches and to use this as an entry point for health systems strengthening.

The work package has two main thematic areas of focus through which it will achieve this aim: (1) strengthening human centered health systems and (2) advancing enabling environments for the health workforce. The Research Fellow will support the Research Lead, overseeing projects within the Gender Equality and Intersectionality work package.

They will provide technical input as well as manage selected projects, leading the production of policy-relevant analyses and research, convening critical dialogues and developing capacity strengthening initiatives related to the work package.

For further information on the new Strategic Plan, please visit https://unu.edu/iigh.

Responsibilities

The Research Fellow will:

• Lead on selected projects within the Gender Equality and Intersectionality 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-building, and knowledge translation;
• Contribute to resource mobilization related to the work package;
• Participate in international research, policy and outreach events;
• Supervise postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, junior researchers, and interns; and
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Directorate

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 experience for the position include:

• 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 equality and health;
• 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).