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- Tasks: Lead impactful policy engagement and evidence translation for health and climate change.
- Company: Join UCL Institute for Global Health, a leader in global health research and policy.
- Benefits: Enjoy 41 days of holiday, a pension scheme, and a cycle to work scheme.
- Why this job: Shape strategies that influence global health policies and tackle climate change.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree in public policy or related field; proven policy engagement experience required.
- Other info: Full-time role available immediately until April 2029; salary ranges from ÂŁ66,711 to ÂŁ72,370.
The predicted salary is between 66711 - 72370 ÂŁ per year.
The UCL Institute for Global Health (IGH) is at the heart of UCL’s Grand Challenge of Global Health. The Institute’s vision is for a world where international policy on global health is informed by world-class research. IGH aims to support the development of robust solutions to aspects of the world’s major global health challenges through scholarly outputs, education, public engagement, translational research, and ultimately by influencing public policy and professional practice.
We are looking for an experienced policy expert with experience in translating academic research into public policy to join the next phase of the Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change.
The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change is an independent, international research collaboration, that works to track the evolving links between health and climate change globally, regionally and nationally, in partnership with The Lancet and the World Health Organization. Its aim is to inform a robust response to climate change that protects and promotes human health.
About the role
The successful candidate will join the Lancet Countdown’s central team secretariat, in central London, working with the collaboration’s Academic Steering Group and Directors Group. Reporting into the Lancet Countdown’s Executive Director, the Head of Policy will work closely with the Policy Manager based in the global secretariat team at UCL, as well as Policy Managers based at the Lancet Countdown’s six different centres. They will also work closely with the Lancet Countdown’s Head of Communications and Partnerships Manager, to ensure that the Lancet Countdown’s policy work is reaching its intended audience and driving an accelerated response to climate change.
The postholder will be responsible for developing and leading an impactful and integrated programme of policy engagement and evidence translation for the Lancet Countdown collaboration. This will encompass a holistic approach spanning across the organisation’s six regional centres to ensure a complementary top-down and bottom-up approach to policy impact.
Overall, the Head of Policy will be at the forefront of advancing the Lancet Countdown’s mission to address the health impacts of climate change through evidence-based policy action. As a leader in the organisation, the Head of Policy will play a major role in shaping the strategy, overseeing the smooth running of the organisation’s policy work, and establishing its approach to monitoring, evaluating, learning and refinement.
This is a full-time role (i.e. 36.5 hours per week) and it is available immediately until April 2029 in the first instance.
Salary range: ÂŁ66,711 to ÂŁ72,370 per annum (including London Allowance), depending on experience.
About you
It is essential that the successful candidate has a Master’s level degree or equivalent skills and experience in public policy, public health, international relations, or other relevant field.
Proven experience in the development and leadership of national or global policy engagement processes either internally as a political aide, or externally from an academic institution, think tank, or NGO and technical knowledge of international and/or national-level policy processes, and the ability to apply this knowledge across multiple settings are also essential criteria for this role.
The successful candidate must have excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills, with familiarity of engaging with national policymakers at any level of seniority. The successful candidate must also have the ability to grasp and summarise complex scientific outputs for policymakers in the form of policy briefs and other collateral.
The role requires that the post holder is willing travel approx. 1-4 weeks per annum and participate in conference calls outside of normal working hours (1-3 hours per week) to connect with other timezones.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits, some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.
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Head of Policy, Lancet Countdown employer: UK Dementia Research Institute
Contact Detail:
UK Dementia Research Institute Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Policy, Lancet Countdown
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the Lancet Countdown's previous reports and policy recommendations. Understanding their past work will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to their ongoing projects.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the global health and climate change sectors. Attend relevant conferences or webinars where you can meet key stakeholders and policymakers, as building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully translated complex research into actionable policy. Highlighting your ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences will demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current global health policies and climate change initiatives. Being knowledgeable about recent developments will allow you to engage in informed discussions during interviews and showcase your commitment to the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Policy, Lancet Countdown
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Policy position. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, especially the importance of translating academic research into public policy.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience in public policy, public health, or international relations. Provide specific examples of how you've engaged with policymakers and led policy processes.
Showcase Communication Skills: Demonstrate your ability to summarize complex scientific outputs for policymakers. Include examples of policy briefs or other materials you've created that effectively communicate research findings.
Tailor Your Application: Customize your application materials to reflect the values and mission of the UCL Institute for Global Health. Show your passion for addressing health impacts related to climate change and how you can contribute to their goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Dementia Research Institute
✨Showcase Your Policy Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in developing and leading policy engagement processes. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully translated academic research into actionable public policy.
✨Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills
Since the role requires excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills, think of instances where you've effectively engaged with policymakers. Share how you navigated complex discussions and built relationships at various levels of seniority.
✨Prepare for Complex Summarization
You will need to summarize complex scientific outputs for policymakers. Practice explaining intricate concepts in simple terms, perhaps by creating a mock policy brief on a relevant topic to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively.
✨Understand the Global Context
Familiarize yourself with the current global health and climate change landscape. Be ready to discuss how international and national-level policy processes impact health outcomes, and how your insights can contribute to the Lancet Countdown's mission.
