PHRST Head of Programme and Partnership Delivery

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world's leading public health universities. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

This is a unique opportunity to take a key strategic role within the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), an innovative partnership funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Through outbreak response, research, and capacity strengthening, the UK-PHRST works with partners to improve the investigation and response to infectious disease outbreaks in low- and middle-income countries.

As a member of the UK-PHRST Senior Management Team, the post holder will provide strategic leadership for the delivery of its ambitious UK-LMIC Research Partnership. They will lead the strategy and delivery of outcomes for the Knowledge Translation and Policy Uptake and Global Science Capability and Collaboration workstreams, and establish and strengthen equitable global partnerships. The role will involve high-level policy engagement, capability sharing, programme-wide communications and research, as well as representing the UK-PHRST in influential global and regional forums.

The post holder will work closely with a wide range of partners, including ministries of health, UN agencies, research institutions, and funders. Applicants should be experienced leaders with a strong understanding of the global landscape for science-policy action on issues in sectors relating to outbreak response, infectious disease, and humanitarian crises. They should have a proven ability in building and maintaining productive international partnerships, influencing policy and decision-makers, and leading complex, multidisciplinary programmes and teams.

Excellent strategic, communication, planning and conflict-resolution skills are essential, alongside a demonstrable background in science communication and a track record of leading the coordination and authorship of influential academic and policy outputs. The successful candidate must also be able to work in politically and culturally sensitive environments and deploy to low- and middle-income countries to support outbreak investigation and response.

Applicants should be educated to at least degree level. The post is full-time 35 hours per week, 1.0 FTE and fixed term until 31 March 2029. A two-year extension may be possible until 31 March 2031, subject to overall programmatic performance and confirmation of continued Government funds. The post is funded by the NIHR and is available from 01 October 2026.

The salary will be on the LSHTM salary scale, Grade 8 in the range £64,469 - £73,994 per annum pro rata (inclusive of London Weighting). The post will be subject to the LSHTM terms and conditions of service. Annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year, pro rata for part time staff. In addition to this there are discretionary 'Wellbeing Days'. Membership of the Pension Scheme is available. The post is based in London at LSHTM.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, successful, and happier at work. While we have more work to do, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace, a community that everyone feels a part of, which is safe, respectful, supportive and enables all to reach their full potential.