Research Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars dedicated to policy-oriented research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination, all aimed at furthering the principles of the United Nations Charter. Established to address pressing global issues, UNU operates with a mission to contribute to the resolution of challenges faced by the United Nations and its Member States through research and capacity building. The organization comprises various institutes, including the UNU-International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. UNU-IIGH was founded in 2005 and focuses on advancing evidence-based policy related to sustainable development and global health. It collaborates with a network of academic, policy, and civil society experts to facilitate critical thinking and knowledge exchange, ultimately influencing policy and consensus-building. The institute's research addresses power and gender asymmetries that lead to inequitable health outcomes, organized around themes such as global health governance, gender equality, digital health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and climate justice.

Job Overview:
The Research Associate position at UNU-IIGH involves working on a significant policy research project that examines the use of blended finance instruments in healthcare financing. This role is crucial for addressing the financial gaps in healthcare, particularly in low and middle-income countries. The successful candidate will collaborate with a senior research team and external academic experts to complete case studies on social impact investment. The position offers an opportunity to learn from leading experts in health financing and to engage in the process of integrating research into policy-making. The Research Associate will be responsible for gathering and analyzing data, drafting research summaries, and contributing to the design of research instruments. Additionally, the role includes project administration tasks such as coordinating meetings, maintaining research repositories, and preparing reports for stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Research Associate include:

• Conducting research and analysis by gathering, organizing, and analyzing publicly available data on blended finance healthcare funds, including legal disclosures and impact reports.
• Mapping claims, assumptions, and evidence gaps in case study materials.
• Drafting annotated research summaries, fact sheets, and analytical memos for the research team.
• Contributing to the design of primary research instruments such as interview guides and survey tools.
• Supporting stakeholder engagement preparations.
• Coordinating scheduling and logistics for research team meetings and project milestones.
• Taking structured minutes of meetings and circulating action logs.
• Maintaining a well-organized shared research repository.
• Assisting in communication with project stakeholders, including drafting correspondence and managing information flows. 1
• Preparing progress reports and briefings for funders and partners. 1
• Assisting in organizing webinars and an international meeting in early 2027.

Required Qualifications:
The essential qualifications for the Research Associate position include:

• A completed Master's degree in a relevant field such as global health, development studies, public policy, health economics, political economy, or international relations.
• A minimum of three years of relevant working experience.
• Demonstrable experience in high-quality academic or policy research.
• Strong analytical writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear outputs.
• Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills, with proven ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Professional proficiency in English, both written and spoken. Desirable qualifications include familiarity with blended finance, health financing, impact investing, or development finance institutions, experience with qualitative research methods, and proficiency in French.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in a relevant field, which may include global health, development studies, public policy, health economics, political economy, or international relations. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of health financing and policy development.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant working experience. This experience should ideally include high-quality academic or policy research, demonstrating the candidate's ability to engage with complex data and contribute to meaningful research outputs. Experience in an international, multilateral, or UN-system environment is also desirable, as it provides context for the candidate's work within the United Nations framework.

Languages:
Professional proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization. Additionally, proficiency in French is considered a desirable asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders and research partners.

Additional Notes:
The successful candidate will be offered a contract for a duration of 9 months, aligned with the project timeline. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The remuneration package ranges from US$36,347 to US$49,041 per annum, depending on the candidate's experience, location, and qualifications. It is important to note that UNU does not cover any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration, and candidates are responsible for their own tax obligations. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including women and persons living with disabilities. The application process does not require an account, and candidates must submit a cover letter, a completed UNU P11 Form, and answer specific questions related to the position.