Director of International Programmes
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Job purpose
To provide strategic leadership, management, and direction for the development and wider rollout of symbiont-based disease control approaches.
To initiate contact with, advise and negotiate new contracts with Governments to ensure wider rollout of these approaches.
To oversee international teams working in two consortia on the control of dengue virus using Wolbachia and developing malaria control using symbionts.
To provide day-to-day management and co-ordination of the two consortia. The postholder will co-ordinate a portfolio of initiatives, manage and monitor project budgets, provide the PI with detailed project status reports, and assist in reporting on the progress and achievements to the consortia funders.
Main duties & responsibilities
- Lead the strategic planning process for uptake of symbiont-based disease approaches and shape the long-term strategic direction of symbiont-based dengue control interventions.
- Ensure the current programmes meet stated objectives and that these are aligned to the needs of stakeholders.
- Participate in writing a strategic business plan for the formation of a Social Enterprise to aid wider rollout of Wolbachia
- Develop operational plans for Wolbachia interventions for existing partner countries and potentially for new partner countries, including staff training needs.
- Take a senior role in developing a robust implementation plan to ensure the delivery of the consortia objectives, leading and managing the day-to-day operational and administrative affairs.
- Manage and monitor the programme budgets to ensure maximum value is delivered for the resources deployed and to ensure ongoing financial support from funders.
- Oversee, manage and clerk the consortia governance and decision-making structures and systems.
- Coordinate the consortia programmes of international meetings and be willing to travel to attend these meetings as required.
- Develop, enhance and maintain effective working relationships with all project partners and stakeholders of the programme.
- Develop communications plans to ensure effective and transparent communications with partners and with communities in intervention sites.
- Promote the consortia and ensure that national and international researchers are aware of how to engage with the initiative.
- Manage the consortia information-sharing and data management systems and procedures.
- Provide high-level oversight and supervision of in-country consortia teams in Burkina Faso, Paraguay, Malaysia and the UK (over 70 people).
- Act as the principal administrative liaison point for the consortia with funders and stakeholders, leading on the provision of information about and reporting on the consortia activities and operations.
- Identify potential for additional bids and potential income generating opportunities.
- Undertake any other relevant duties as directed by the PI.
Knowledge and qualifications
Essential
- PhD or equivalent in Medical Entomology or related, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).
- Knowledge of project management techniques and tools and their application in a vector control context.
- Understanding of the contractual, legal and financial matters in relation to research contracts, collaborative agreements, confidentiality agreements, consultancy agreements, service agreements and other such documents relevant to this type of transaction.
Desirable
- Postgraduate/Professional qualification in a relevant subject area, such as MPH (Masters in Public Health).
- Knowledge of and previous interactions with the funders active in this field.
- Understanding of the academic environment including the complex mix of pressures, constraints, motivations and risk/reward positions of academic staff, schools, and the institution.
Skills
Essential
- Proven high level communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels, including high levels of Government in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).
- Strong report/proposal writing skills with proven ability to produce reports, presentations and technical documents for a variety of audiences.
- Proven analytical and problem-solving capabilities with excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills.
- High level of competence with systems designed to support project management; improve team communications, information and data dissemination.
- Ability to multitask, work flexibly and adapt to changing environments.
- Ability to network effectively with high level of influencing, negotiating and diplomacy skills.
- Proven ability to liaise and cooperate across organisational and geographical boundaries.
- Flexible, committed, reliable and enthusiastic approach with ability to work as part of a team with staff at all levels. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- The ability to use initiative and creativity to resolve problems and identify and assess practical options. C10 Ability to work under minimum of supervision.
Experience
Essential
- Depth of experience of successfully managing and delivering multi-disciplinary collaborative programmes in multiple countries.
- Experience of managing and monitoring programme resources across countries.
- Experience of providing high calibre operational leadership and direction within a complex multi-stakeholder high profile context.
- Experience of supervising staff.
- Knowledge of the public health funding environment.
- Experience working with Governments in low and middle-income countries on vector control interventions.
- Experience of developing, planning, and managing large complex projects.
- Relevant technical expertise in medical entomology and in communications, specifically in community engagement with respect to the implementation of novel mosquito control methods.
Desirable
- Experience of operating “on the road” as international travel will be required.
- Relevant experience gained within the Higher Education sector.
Campus development plan
Our Vision
Over the next 10 years, the major investment will expand our campus footprint by 25%, creating a new urban quarter with the University at the heart of a revitalised west end. This is the largest development since the creation of the original campus in 1870.
This is a unique opportunity for a University to extend the boundaries of its historic core in a central city location. It will create:
- New learning and teaching facilities
- Refurbishment and repurposing of existing iconic buildings for specialist uses
- Identification and design of social spaces that support the student and community experience.
The expansion of our Gilmorehill campus into the 14 acre, former Western Infirmary site will transform the West End of Glasgow. The Masterplan for the site will incorporate:
- New learning and teaching facilities supporting our students and making sure they get the best in modern teaching and learning styles and approaches
- Creation of a Research Hub, housing large-scale multidisciplinary projects and incubator space for spin out collaborations with industry. This will encourage further innovation development
- New public cycle and pedestrian routes and a new central square which will link Byres Road to the up-and-coming cultural quarter for the West End, with new links to Kelvingrove and the newly-refurbished Kelvin Hall
- Refurbishment of five listed buildings: The Chapel, the Outpatients building, the Macgregor building, the Tennent Institute and Anderson College
- Commercial opportunities, including a hotel, restaurant, bars and cafes
- The state of the art Learning and Teaching Hub adjacent to the Boyd Orr building on University Avenue will be completed next year.
Find out more
Living in Glasgow
A UNESCO City of Music, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a food-lover’s delight, and a shopper’s paradise. Just some of the highlights of the ‘friendliest city in the world’. As well as that accolade by the Rough Guides poll, Glasgow has also been named a must visit destination by publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Wanderlust.
Music
The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week catering for every taste; from rock to rap, and classical to country. Glasgow also has a world class club scene playing host to some of the world’s top DJs.
Shopping
Outside of London’s West End, Glasgow is frequently voted the best place for shopping in the UK. A must-visit destination for any shop-a-holic, it houses high street chains, international designers, and independent retailers. The West End, home to the University of Glasgow, is bustling with vintage fashion, vinyl stores, and second-hand bookshops.
Arts and Culture
Glasgow’s arts scene has gone from strength to strength, and is the base for five internationally renowned performing arts companies including the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet. The city has several world-class museums, which are free to the public, and the city’s architecture is a work of art in itself.
Food and drink
You can be in Glasgow and taste the world with its many diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. And if you’ve yet to sample the delights of haggis and whisky, Glasgow is the place to be.
The City and Beyond
Glasgow has all the opportunities and excitement of a big city but its compact size means you can quickly travel from one vibrant district to the next. You could be relaxing in one of its many parks, before shopping in the quirky West End, and then dancing until the wee small hours in the Merchant City.
And when you fancy getting out of the city you can reach the stunning Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes, climb one of our many breath-taking Munros, play golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class courses, visit one of our ancient castles, or go further North and search for Nessie! Scotland has also just been named the world’s most beautiful country by Rough Guides.
Relocating to Glasgow
Choosing to relocate to Glasgow is a big decision. There are numerous things to be considered, such as the costs of moving, the cost of living, and where exactly to relocate to. We have created two guides to aide you in the decision making process.
Find out more on relocating to Glasgow at the below link:
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
WORLD CHANGING GLASGOW 2025
Our outstanding disciplinary breadth and expertise has enabled us to make world-changing advances in fields as diverse as medicine, physics, linguistics, public policy and global development.
The key to our success is our talented staff and students pushing back at the boundaries of knowledge and understanding together.
Our World Changers Together strategy recognises the fundamental importance of a culture of open cooperation: not just as colleagues and mentors or students and teachers, but as a community of discovery that reaches beyond its walls and draws inspiration and strength from its connections and partnerships worldwide: excellence that's part of something bigger. The strategy is articulated across three themes:
COMMUNITY
- People centred, globally engaged
CONNECTIVITY
- Collaboratively minded, digitally enhanced
CHALLENGES
- Solution focused, impact oriented
Find out more
How to apply
Full details of the role and how to apply can be found by visiting our website:
The closing date for applications is Thursday 19th September 2024
Informal Enquiries should be directed to Prof Steven Sinkins, Steven.Sinkins@glasgow.ac.uk
Terms & Conditions
This post is full time and has funding until 31 January 2028 in first instance.
Salary will be Grade 9, £57,696 - £64,914 per annum.
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.
Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
A flexible approach to working.
A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.
Our values
The future holds innumerable challenges for our sector, our society, and our world. We will have to adapt and change what we do and what we offer if we are to navigate these successfully. Our strategy and approach may evolve as the landscape changes, but our values will remain constant: a fixed point of certainty in uncertain times.
We have identified our values in consultation and partnership with our staff and student community. Living and upholding these values will ensure that we remain true to the spirit of our community and ourselves:
Ambition and Excellence
- We strive for excellence through our work
- We defend academic freedom globally
- We recognise and celebrate shared success
- We have an unrelenting focus on development
Curiosity and Discovery
- We innovate and solve problems together
- We lead by influence and example
- We engage with lifelong learning and personal development
- We learn from our mistakes
Integrity and Truth
- We uphold honesty, integrity and fairness
- We share our work widely and generously
- We do the right thing, not the easy thing - or we don’t do it
- We take responsibility
An Inclusive Community
- We are one Glasgow team, and we care for and respect one another
- We advocate for diversity and believe in variety as a vital part of a healthy university
- We champion education as an engine for social progress
- We practise and advance sustainability