Head of Population Health Research and Evaluation Unit

Position Overview

The Head of the Population Health Research and Evaluation Unit will lead the establishment and growth of this new unit, supporting NHG's organisational priorities by advancing research and evaluation efforts to improve population health outcomes. This role involves strengthening existing capabilities, developing strategic partnerships, and positioning NHG as an international leader in population health research. Reporting to the Clinical Director of the Population Health Office, the Head will shape strategy, drive impactful research, facilitate informed decision-making, and foster innovation. Key responsibilities include developing research capabilities, building capacity to pursue external funding, evaluating population health initiatives, and contributing to evidence-based policy making. Ultimately, this pivotal role aims to enhance NHG's impact on population health through research excellence and collaborative innovation.

Unit Vision and Priorities

The Population Health Research and Evaluation Unit will serve as the cornerstone of the organisation’s commitment to improving population health. Its priorities include:

• Advancing research to increase healthy years of life and address inequities.
• Evaluating the impact of population health initiatives to optimise return on investment.
• Supporting researchers with infrastructure, training, and mentorship to strengthen the research ecosystem.
• Facilitating partnerships to enhance interdisciplinary research and translation into practice.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership:

Develop and execute a strategic vision for the Unit, engage diverse stakeholders to ensure responsiveness to needs and funding priorities, and advocate for population health research and evaluation both internally and externally.

2. Research and Evaluation Excellence:

Lead high-impact research programmes, implement evaluation frameworks, and translate findings into actionable recommendations to improve population health outcomes.

3. Strategic Partnerships and International Presence:

Foster international collaborations, pursue global partnerships and funding opportunities, and facilitate knowledge exchange to enhance NHG's capacity and reputation in population health research.

4. Visibility and Thought Leadership:

Promote NHG's research globally, positioning it as a thought leader in population health, and establishing it as a trusted source of evidence for policy and investment decisions.

5. Capacity Building and Mentorship:

Oversee educational programmes and mentorship initiatives while fostering a collaborative, interdisciplinary research culture that emphasises innovation.

6. Operational Oversight:

Structure the unit, manage resources and personnel, and optimise infrastructure to facilitate advanced research and evaluation.

7. Funding and Partnerships:

Develop strategies to secure external funding and establish partnerships with diverse stakeholders to enhance the Unit's research impact.

8. Knowledge Dissemination:

Oversee the production of high-quality research outputs and foster opportunities for researchers to disseminate findings across various platforms.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, or a related field).
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in academic or applied research settings, including a track record of securing external funding and publishing impactful research.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in developing and managing research teams or units.
• Strong expertise in designing and implementing evaluation/research frameworks and using findings to inform policy decisions.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and foster collaboration across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent communication, strategic planning, and organisational skills.

Preferred Attributes

• Knowledge of healthcare systems, population health strategies, and emerging trends in health equity and prevention.
• Experience translating research into actionable policies or programs.
• Ability to inspire and mentor a multidisciplinary team of researchers and staff.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a transformative initiative that will drive research excellence, inform decision-making, and shape the future of population health. The successful candidate will play a critical role in realising the organisation’s vision for a healthier and more equitable population.