About UN University
For the past four decades, the United Nations University (UNU) has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on the pressing global problems of human survival, conflict prevention, development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 13 countries, UNU’s work spans the full breadth of 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.
About UNU-IIGH
The United Nations University’s International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) 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 the Member States towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
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 and consensus-building.
Responsibilities
Postdoctoral Fellows at UNU-IIGH are within five (5) years of graduation with a PhD or Professional Doctorate. The Postdoctoral Fellowship provides the opportunity to expand their career beyond the academic research environment to engage with policy application, translation and dissemination. UNU-IIGH offers an excellent multicultural environment for interaction with scholars from different countries and diverse educational backgrounds.
The 2019-2023 Strategy for UNU-IIGH shifts the Institute’s body of work from investigator-driven global health projects to priority-driven, policy-relevant pillars of work. The Institute’s mission to build knowledge and capacity for decision making by UN agencies, UN programs and Member States about global health issues. The goal of UNU-IIGH is to advance evidence-based policymaking on crucial issues related to sustainable development and public health, the strategy is implemented through three pillars of work:
1) translating evidence into policy,
2) generating policy-relevant analysis related to gender and health, and
3) strengthening capacity for local decision making.
As part of this work, it is launching a Gender & Health Policy Hub to provide a platform for collaboration, practice-based learning, and co-production of critical analyses and evidence, as well as broker new partnerships and alliances to extend the sources of evidence and support dissemination and policy translation.
The Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to candidates who demonstrate that they can contribute to this programme of work. Furthermore, candidates will be given the opportunity and are expected to lead on specific areas of work.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
• Applicants must be within five (5) years of completion of a PhD in public health or a related discipline
• Professional experience in public health research, policy, or programming
• Familiarity with gender-responsive research and/or programming
• Familiarity with systematic approaches to searching and evaluating scientific literature
• Demonstrated experience in research design
• Proven experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research techniques
• Experience with policy relevant research, including formulating policy-relevant research questions, undertaking policy analysis and writing policy briefs
• An analytical approach to defining policy-relevant research questions
• Demonstrated ability in conducting data analysis and interpretation
• Experience in writing peer-reviewed manuscripts
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Excellent time management skills
Other desirable skills:
• Experience in working on interdisciplinary research projects
• Experience in publishing in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in writing grant applications
• Experience in writing progress reports
• Experience in implementation research and/or health policy and systems research
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 organisation.
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.
Remuneration:
This is employment under a Personnel Service Agreement contract (PSA) with a monthly tax-exempted (in Malaysia) remuneration of USD 3,028.92. The successful candidate will not hold international civil servant status nor be a ‘staff member’ as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. No relocation allowance applies.
This position carries an annual leave entitlement of 2.5 working days per month (a total of 30 days of paid annual leave), and private health insurance coverage.
Duration of Contract:
This is full-time employment. The period of initial contract will be for 12 months, which can be extended for an additional 12-month period.
Application Procedure:
Applicants are requested to download and complete the UNU Personal History P-11 form available at UNU Website. Please quote Reference number 2020/UNU/IIGH/PSA/PFP/59 and state UNU-IIGH Postdoctoral Fellowship 2020 in the section ‘What post are you applying for?’
Interested applicants should submit their applications online using
[email protected] and must upload the following:
• Completed and signed UNU P-11 form.
• Cover letter outlining your interests and motivation to work at UNU-IIGH.
• Abstract from your current PhD research/dissertation.
• A recent publication sample (in English)
• Two letters of recommendation to support your application, one must come from one of your PhD supervisors
• Scanned copy of your passport details page
Please state Postdoctoral Fellowship 2020 with your name in the subject of the email. For non-Malaysian citizens or residents, assistance with visa formalities will be provided by UNU-IIGH. Note that only completed applications received by the deadline will be considered. We will acknowledge receipt of your application via email.
The deadline for application is 4.00 pm Malaysian local time on 9th September 2020
