Research Manager

The Palestinian Authority has decided to establish a Palestinian National Institute of Public Health (PNIPH) following a feasibility study undertaken by the World Health Organization (WHO). The PNIPH will undertake health surveillance, data analysis and research in order to provide science-based information and advice on health issues to the PA and Palestinian civil society and will also have a role in training and capacity building for the health sector. WHO has been given the responsibility to establish the PNIPH in partnership with the PA Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health over a two year period to February 2014 with funding from the Norwegian Government. Once it is established as a legal entity with a governing body, the PNIPH will be a semi-autonomous government body within the Palestinian Authority, fully accountable for its own staff, its professional and technical responsibilities and its budget.

The WHO office for West Bank and Gaza is recruiting a national project team to start the work of establishing the Institute and build up its initial core functions. We are currently recruiting for six temporary posts. Brief descriptions of these posts are below. Inquiries and Applications must be submitted by June 20, 2012 to [email protected]. Applications must be in English and include your CV and covering letter. Secondments will be considered. Only Palestinians are eligible to apply.

 

Organizational Context
Under the supervision of the WHO Head of Office and the Project Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the specified assigned duties described below in collaboration with the rest of the project team.

The incumbent will be based at the new premises for the PNIPH in Ramallah, West Bank, but will have extensive contact with the WHO office in Jerusalem and with other stakeholders to carry out the functions.

Purpose of the Post
- To build up the research functions of the Institute

Description of duties
The incumbent will perform the following duties
- Lead the work in identifying and agreeing with key partners on the research priorities critical to health policies
- Commission, coordinate and manage the operational research for the Institute in close collaboration with the Palestinian universities and other stakeholders
- Draft reports as required
- Participate in the development of the core functions of the Institute, ensuring adequate technical guidance and support and high quality outputs
- Perform research and tutor others on public health issues

Duration of contract
- Temporary appointment for 12 months with a possibility of extension

Recruitment Profile

Education
Essential:
- Masters degree in Public health, Epidemiology, Statistics, Health informatics or related field

Desirable:
- A PhD in one of the above mentioned fields
- Medical Doctor

Skills
Competencies
1) Producing results
2) Fostering integration & team work
3) Creating an empowering and motivating environment
4) Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
5) Communicating in a credible and effective manner

Functional Skills and Knowledge
- Good administrator
- Ability to analyze and interpret public health data
- Ability to initiate research and development of new projects
- Knowledge of public health including epidemiology, health data analysis and research
- Ability to work in a team, to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavour
- Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and cultural sensitivity

Other skills (e.g. IT):
- MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Preferably also statistical programmes like STATA, SPSS, R or other

Experience
Essential:
- At least 5 years of working in a research environment

Desirable:
- Research in a relevant field
- Tutoring research students, preferably also at a PhD level
- Management and policy development

Eligibility
Only Palestinian Nationals are eligible to apply 

Languages
Fluency in English and Arabic