Director, UNU-IIGH

United Nations University (UNU)

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. The mission of UNU 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, 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’ full breadth, 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.

United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH)

UNU-IIGH is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the UNU system. It was established in 2007 with funding from the Government of Malaysia and is hosted at the National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia UKM). UNU-IIGH convenes dialogues to explore global health futures, undertakes policy-relevant research to address inequities, social justice and human rights, with a current focus on gender and health. UNU-IIGH also provides flagship, demand-driven training programs for evidence and policy translation to strengthen capacity for local decision making across a range of topics in global health. Primarily, the Institute has the mandate to tackle global health challenges faced by the United Nations, its Member States, and their people, principally developing countries, to improve health and well-being towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The current Strategic Plan (2019-2023) focuses on three interconnected areas. First, translating evidence to policy emphasises the UNU-IIGH’s role as a ‘policy-hub’ that supports UN agencies and others to translate and disseminate global guidance for the country level through convening, communication activities, and briefings. Second, generating policy-relevant analysis contributes to the policy debate in gender and health by reviewing evidence, developing research agendas and tools, and informing policy processes. And third, strengthening capacity for local decision-making leverages UNU-IIGH’s presence in Malaysia to serve as a hub for South-South learning by building linkages across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), developing knowledge products, and conducting training and seminars. UNU-IIGH has a significant focus on gender inequities, human rights and equity in health, health systems analysis and implementation research.

The Institute has consolidated and sharpened its research program in recent years and is now poised for growth. For more information on UNU-IIGH, please visit https://iigh.unu.edu/.

Director of UNU-IIGH

The Director reports to the Rector of the United Nations University and has overall responsibility for the organisation and management of UNU-IIGH and its programmes. The preferred candidate should have a distinguished scientific profile of research and policy engagement in global health and strong relevant networks, sufficient to bring to UNU-IIGH the necessary prestige and credibility in the international scholarly and global health research, policy and practice communities.

The Director develops and manages national and international partnerships and negotiations, oversees the finance, operations and management of UNU-IIGH and implements the strategy within the broader context of the UNU strategic objectives.

The Director will ensure that UNU-IIGH continues to contribute to important policy debates within the United Nations and the Member States based on a critical understanding of global health challenges and the outcomes of the Institute’s research programme. The Director is responsible for guaranteeing scientific excellence through internal quality control and providing strategic visioning and guidance for the impact of UNU-IIGH in global health policy spaces.

UNU is looking for a dynamic individual with a strong academic and management background who can recruit, lead and manage a diverse team of experts; build and strengthen partnerships with think tanks, universities, the private sector, and other parts of the UN system; and produce world-class, policy-relevant analyses, convene critical dialogues and support capacity strengthening, particularly in the Global South, to contribute to the resolution of global health challenges.

Responsibilities

Leadership and strategic management

• Serve as the Chief Academic and Administrative officer of the Institute with overall responsibility for the direction, organisation, administration, and programming of UNU-IIGH, in accordance with the policies and criteria formulated by the UNU Council, the Rector, and the Institute’s International Advisory Board;
• Manage, hire and supervise personnel, promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender equality;
• Mobilise resources to support the activities of the Institute;
• Manage the Institute’s budget, including reporting requirements to donors and within the UNU system; and
• Lead relations with the host country (Malaysia), its host institution (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), the UN Country Team and other key stakeholders.

Research programme implementation and oversight

• Lead a policy and impact-driven programme of substantive research, capacity-building, and knowledge translation in public health through the implementation of the strategy;
• Oversee the strengthening and implementation of research programmes; and
• Ensure that research outputs are high quality and policy-relevant and that recommendations are channelled effectively to the UN system, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Resource mobilisation

• Develop and implement a resource mobilisation strategy to secure funding for existing and future UNU-IIGH programmes;
• Manage donor relations and networks, including resource mobilisation activities for the Institute’s research programmes; and
• Coach researchers in preparing excellent proposals and in engaging with research partners and donors.

Represent UNU-IIGH and establish strategic partnerships

• Establish and maintain relationships with the UN system, the UN Country Team in Malaysia, governments, partners, donors, and other stakeholders to achieve collaboration on programme development, implementation, and resource mobilisation;
• Strengthen and expand scientific partnerships and networks with relevant institutions, including major UN stakeholders, think tanks, research organisations, and academic networks internal and external to UNU; and
• Draw on UNU’s convening power and represent UNU-IIGH in local and global fora to support the Institute’s visibility and outreach.

Knowledge sharing and collaboration

• Facilitate the dissemination and translation of the Institute’s knowledge products to key stakeholders and the public;
• Co‐ordinate UNU-IIGH’s work programme with other UN and UNU activities and institutions in different parts of the world, particularly in the Global South; and
• Support the Rector and the UNU system, including participation in the Conference of Directors of UNU institutes and system-wide initiatives.

Perform other duties in support of the Institute and UNU system, as requested by the Rector

Key Performance Indicators

• UNU-IIGH is seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner by donors, governments, research partners, civil society, and the UN System.
• Implementation of a high-quality work programme for UNU-IIGH, including delivering research outputs, capacity building activities, and events. A high level of academic excellence is guaranteed in all the Institute’s activities through internal quality control and guidance for academic activities.
• Increase sustainable donor support to UNU-IIGH, including excellent donor relationships and diversified funding sources.
• The Institute is managed effectively and efficiently according to the policies and criteria formulated by the UNU Council, the Rector, and the Institute’s International Advisory Committee.

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

Qualifications

• MD or PhD degree in public health, global health or related field. An MA, MSc or MPhil degree in a field relevant to global health, combined with two additional years of qualifying research experience, may also be accepted;
• At least fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in global health, of which at least five years in a managerial role, with demonstrable leadership and management;
• Strong background in policy-relevant research and international capacity development in global health, international development, human rights or related fields. A track record in gender, equity or human rights would be an advantage;
• Proven track record of significant resource mobilisation for international projects and donor relations management at senior levels;
• A prominent profile in the global health community, with high-quality publications relevant to low and middle income countries;
• Demonstrated understanding of contemporary challenges in global health, policymaking challenges, and experience translating research for policy communities;
• Demonstrated knowledge of policy making process in the UN and member states, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries;
• Skilled networker as demonstrated engagement in networks in global health;
• Commitment to the principles and ideals of the UN;
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with global health across the UN is a strong asset;
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills, political tact, and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; and
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Remuneration

UNU offers an attractive, tax exempt compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy. For more information please see: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SAL

Duration of contract

This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for two (2) years with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance. For academic Director positions, the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed eight (8) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.

Expected starting date August 2022