Research Associate - Blended Finance & PPPs in Global Health

Description

About United Nations University

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. UNU’s mission 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 more information, please visit http://unu.edu. 

About the Institute (UNU-IIGH, Kuala Lumpur)

UNU-International Institute for Global Health 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 Member States towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. 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. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu/iigh. 

UNU-IIGH’s research interrogates power and gender asymmetries that lead to inequitable and unjust health outcomes. Our work is organized around four work packages covering the following themes: (a) power asymmetries and accountability deficits in the system of global health governance (b) gender equality and intersectionality, (c) digital health security and governance, and (d) climate justice and health.  

The Opportunity

The UNU-IIGH is seeking a Research Associate to work on a policy research project on an emerging topic of profound importance to global health: the increasing use of blended finance instruments - combining philanthropic and public finance with private capital - to solve healthcare financing gaps. The project will be co-administered by a social policy consultancy company based in Tokyo, who will be the contract holder for this position.

Working closely with a senior research team in UNU-IIGH and a network of external academic experts from across the world, the successful candidate will support the completion of a number of case studies on social impact investment, help coordinate the work of the wider research team and assist with the organization of an international meeting of experts and policy makers in early 2027.

We are looking for a dynamic early to mid-career individual to help expand the evidence base on blended finance in the health sector of low and middle-income countries. The position will allow the successful candidate to learn from leading experts on health financing and be exposed to the process of feeding research and evidence into policy making.

Job Description

Research & Analysis

•     Gather, organize and analyze publicly-available data and documentation on blended finance healthcare funds, including legal disclosures, impact reports, investor communications, and academic literature

•     Map stated claims, assumptions, and evidence gaps in case study materials.

•     Draft annotated research summaries, fact sheets, and analytical memos for the research team

•     Contribute to the design of primary research instruments (interview guides, survey tools, documentary analysis frameworks).

•     Support preparation for stakeholder engagement.

Project Administration

•     Coordinate the scheduling and logistics for research team meetings, stakeholder calls, and project milestones

•     Take accurate, structured minutes of core team meetings and circulate action logs

•     Maintain a well-organized shared research repository

•     Support communication with wider project stakeholders - drafting correspondence, managing information flows, and tracking responses

•     Assist in preparing progress reports and briefings for funders and partners

•     Assist in organization of webinars and an international meeting in early 2027.

Key performance indicators

• Timely production of high-quality research and research outputs

• Demonstrable improvements in project management competencies

• Successful organization of meetings with external stakeholders

• Development of improved working relationships with research partners, member state governments, donors, and civil society organizations

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 behavior, 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

Behaviors:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN

• Analyze 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

Requirements

Required qualifications and experience for the position include:

Essential

• Master's degree (completed) in a relevant field: global health, development studies, public policy, health economics, political economy, international relations, or equivalent and minimum of three (3) years of relevant working experience

• Demonstrable experience of high-quality academic or policy research

• Strong analytical writing skills: the ability to synthesise complex, multi-source information into clear, concise outputs

• Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills; proven ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines

• Professional proficiency in English (written and spoken)

Desirable

• Familiarity with blended finance, health financing, impact investing, or development finance institutions

• Experience with qualitative research methods, including semi-structured interviewing or stakeholder engagement

• Experience in an international, multilateral, or UN-system environment

• Proficiency in French

Duration of contract

The successful candidate will be offered a contract for 9 months, aligned with the project duration.

Remuneration

The successful candidate will be offered an attractive compensation package in the range of US$36,347 - US$49,041 per annum, commensurate with the experience, location and qualifications of the candidate. No other allowances apply.

UNU is not liable for any taxes that may be levied on the remuneration you receive under this contract. Payment of any such taxes remains the sole responsibility of the candidate.

Duration of contract

The successful candidate will be offered a contract for 9 months, aligned with the project duration.

Expected start date: As soon as possible

How to Apply:

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;

• fill out the UNU P11 Form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations);

• a cover letter maximum 400 words) explaining your interest in the role and summarizing relevant research experience

• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline:  Monday, 22 June 2026 (MYT)

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

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 organization. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are also encouraged to apply. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.

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.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU.

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