Post-doctoral scientist public health capacity sharing
Omschrijving van de vacature
Post-doctoral scientist public health capacity sharing
Department of Public Health - Health Policy Unit
Introduction
The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) strives to advance science and health for all, through innovative research, advanced education, capacity-building and capacity-sharing with partner institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Department of Public Health at ITM aims to improve the understanding of interlinked determinants of population health, including system-level, sociocultural, ecological and biological; to develop, implement and evaluate interventions that support and strengthen health of individuals and communities; and to co-create knowledge and capacity to contextualise, prevent, detect and adapt to local and global health challenges and threats.
The Health Policy Unit (HPU) of the Department of Public Health focuses on health policies and global health challenges. The HPU has a multidisciplinary team with specialists in medicine, public health, political science, and law; the unit collaborates with international partners in South Africa, Cambodia, Guinea, Mozambique, and various Belgian partners. It’s key areas of focus include (but are not restricted to) health policy and systems strengthening in fragile states, health workforce, NCDs, strengthening research into policy (GRIPP). The Unit actively provides technical/policy-relevant advice to the Belgian and Flemish governments. Additionally, HPU supports capacity sharing activities, especially for LMIC researchers (such as the Emerging Voices for Global Health programme), and undertakes select knowledge management activities such as the publication of the weekly International Health Policies newsletter.
Your role: Postdoctoral scientist public health capacity sharing
The Health Policy Unit (ITM) is, in cooperation with Enabel, implementing a European Union-supported project to strengthen the capacity of national public health institutions in Guinea, DRC and Burundi (the latter to be confirmed). The project aims to enhance the country's ability to generate contextually relevant evidence while ensuring equity, including considerations of gender and culture. Through capacity-building efforts, it seeks to foster dialogue between decision-makers and key stakeholders, promoting effective and appropriate evidence-based policy advice and its adoption towards achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
The Health Policy Unit at ITM Antwerp is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to support this EU-funded project (in cooperation with Enabel) aimed at strengthening national public health institutions in Guinea, DRC and Burundi (the latter to be confirmed). The researcher will be responsible for coordinating and managing the project within ITM, as well as undertake facilitation and liaison activities between ITM, Enabel, and institutions. The role will involve frequent travel to and stay in Guinea, DRC and Burundi (the latter to be confirmed).
Coaching doctoral students will be the main part of the job, but tasks will also include:
- Overall project management and coordination
- Liaison with academic staff within ITM and elsewhere to provide adapted support to doctoral students
- Draft of reports as per reporting guidelines
- Maintaining links with national stakeholders
- Liaison with Enabel, ITM, and local stakeholders, including relevant government Ministries
Gewenst profiel
Your profile:
Essential:
- Education: You hold a doctoral degree in public health, epidemiology, health policy or related field
- Experience: Extensive experience and expertise in public health capacity building, research and training initiatives
- Language: You are fluent in French and English
- Strong project management/organisational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage different stakeholders
- You have published well, and have excellent writing skills
- You are able to work to work independently, as well as with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team respectfully and are open-minded
- You are willing and able to travel to project countries as required and provide remote support
Desirable:
- Experience in low and/or low- and middle-income countries is an asset. In particular, you bring expertise and experience in with expertise in evidence-based policy making. Deep understanding and knowledge of Guinea, DRC and/or Burundi, their public health institutions, familiarity with the health system, and strong knowledge of social and cultural context of the project countries will be an asset.
- Experience with coaching and/or supervising doctoral students is an asset.
Ons aanbod
What we offer:
The ITM is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to the socially relevant mission of the ITM. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients. We offer you:
- A full-time contract for employment based out of the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, reporting to the Head of the Health Policy Unit. Starting date as soon as possible
- A contract for undefined duration, but linked to the funding of the project which is foreseen for 36 months (at the moment)
- Salary package commensurate to profile/experience with supplementary benefits, such as private pension scheme, meal voucher subscription and reimbursement of transport
- An immigration and relocation assistance package if needed
- An intellectually stimulating, international and socially committed environment, encouraging personal initiative and development
- Highly motivated, professional and experienced team members
- A workplace in the historical and vibrant city centre of Antwerp
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The possibility of structural telework up to maximum 2 days/week. Telework is only possible in Belgium
Contact
Selectieprocedure
Interested?
Apply via the link on the ITM’s website before June 2nd, 2025. We ask you to add your CV and motivation letter.