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 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.

UNU-IIGH’s research interrogates power and gender asymmetries that lead to inequitable and unjust health outcomes. Our work is organised around four work packages covering the following themes: (a) power asymmetries and accountability deficits in the system of global health governance (b) gender equality and intersectionality, (c) digital health security and governance, and (d) climate justice and health.

We are recruiting three new policy research associates for each of these work packages.

Applicants should have theoretical and practical knowledge of the critical lenses that we use in our work such as (a) power, (b) feminism (c) intersectionality and (d) decoloniality. Candidates with experience in translating knowledge to policy, with ability to work inter-disciplinarily, and to engage with key global actors at different levels will be preferred. The successful applicant will report to the Policy Research Fellow under the overall supervision of the Policy Research Lead for the work package he/she/they are selected for.

UNU-IIGH’s Policy Research Associate Programme

The Policy Research Associate Programme is geared towards individuals in the early part of their career and designed to provide an opportunity for experience in applied policy research and exposure to the world of international policy-making. Policy Research Associates are treated as professional employees of the organisation and expected to take responsibility for significant pieces of work in line with the values, mission and objectives of the Institute. At any one time, the Institute hosts a minimum of 4 Associates, thus providing an opportunity for peer learning and support. Policy Research Associates are expected to be resident in Kuala Lumpur where they will enjoy an excellent multicultural environment and opportunities to interact with scholars and policy makers from different countries and diverse educational backgrounds.

Generic Responsibilities of a Policy Research Associate

1. Conduct research – this includes conducting literature searches and reviews; designing research studies; and collecting and analyzing primary data.

2. Draft and help finalise research outputs including policy briefs, blogs, academic journal papers and internal briefing papers.

3. Help convene multi-stakeholder meetings and discussions – this includes managing logistical arrangements, handling communication with external stakeholders, and writing up minutes of meetings.

4. Contribute to information, education and communication – this includes developing teaching slides and other educational material, contributing to UNU-IIGH’s website, and enhancing UNU-IIGH’s social media profile

5. Assist in routine management and administrative tasks – this includes contributing to IIGH’s reporting obligations, preparing and chairing internal management meetings, and organizing in-house seminars.

Key performance indicators

• Timely production of high-quality research and research outputs
• Demonstrable improvements in project management competencies
• Successful organization of meetings with external stakeholders
• Development of improved working relationships with research partners, member state governments, donors, and civil society organizations

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 a relevant field completed within the last five years. Applicants who have submitted their PhD but have not yet been awarded their degree are also eligible to apply; or Master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in public health, policy and programming; or a medical degree with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in public health, policy and programming
• Track record of international research and policy engagement in areas related to the work package
• Familiarity with systematic approaches to searching and evaluating scientific literature
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative research design, data analysis and interpretation
• Experience with writing peer-reviewed articles and policy briefs
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

Desired

• Familiarity with gender-responsive research and/or programming

• Experience in working on interdisciplinary research projects

• Knowledge of global health governance structures and processes

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

Language Requirements

• Oral and written fluency in English is required

• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be employed under a PSA contract and no allowances apply. UNU offers an attractive compensation package including a monthly salary of US$3,028.92, commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the candidate. Benefits include 30 days of annual leave and a health insurance scheme.

For International PSA, UNU will provide a flight ticket of the candidate to the duty station and upon the completion of the services, but he/she/they must serve for a minimum of 24 months. This travel cost is covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

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.

Duration of contract

This is full-time employment. The duration of the initial contract is 1 year, which can be extended for an additional 24-month period.

Expected start date: As soon as possible

How to Apply:

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

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline: 19 January 2025 (11.59 pm MYT)

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

PSA holders do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.

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

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