The Lancet Countdown is seeking to appoint a Director for its upcoming Lancet Countdown Africa regional centre.
This post provides the opportunity for a recognised academic leader in Africa to steer the direction of the Lancet Countdown’s research in the region, to expand the regional representation within the Global Lancet Countdown activities, and to inform a health-centred response to climate change that takes into account the needs, knowledge and opportunities of African people.
These new positions will be initially appointed until 30th of April 2027, with possibility of extension for two further years.
Applications should be sent to info@lancetcountdown.org (find further information below). Applications will close on 15 December 2024 at 23.30 PM GMT – we’re looking forward to hearing from you!
To learn more about these positions, please contact Marina Romanello, Executive Director of the Lancet Countdown, at m.romanello@ucl.ac.uk.
Background
The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change is an independent, international, multidisciplinary research collaboration enabled by funding and strategic support from the Wellcome Trust. It brings together almost 300 researchers across the globe, to track the world’s response to climate change and monitor the associated health implications via more than 40 indicators built on the latest science.
As it enters a new phase of work, the Lancet Countdown is focusing on expanding its regional activities. To fulfil this vision, it will launch a new Regional Centre in Africa, to join its Asia, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, and Small Island Developing States Regional Centres.
The Lancet Countdown Africa Centre will bring together a network of local researchers, to annually monitor the evolving link between health and climate change in Africa through a regional indicator report, and contribute to increasing the representation of Africa within the Global Lancet Countdown. This activity will be complemented through a process of policy engagement and communications activities, to drive evidence-based progress on health and climate change in the region, as well as globally.
Role Description
The Regional Centre Director is key to the work of the Lancet Countdown. They will be globally-recognised African academic researcher working on aspects relevant to health and climate change, who has made substantial contributions towards their field of study, and who remain involved in leading research.
The Director will work with the Deputy Director to set and oversee the strategic direction of the Regional Centre, lead the academic work, ensure alignment across academic, policy and communications activities, and oversee the operational activities of the centre, to ensure maximum impact of its work.
The Director will also join the high-level governance bodies of the Lancet Countdown, representing the Regional Centre in the Lancet Countdown’s decision making processes, and playing a key role in shaping the strategy and direction of the Global Lancet Countdown.
For further information on the Africa Director Role including information on the desired experience, time commitment required and support available, please read the full role description.
Financial support
The Africa Regional Centre Director will receive seed funding to support Centre development and activities initially to 30th of April 2027, with possibility of extension for two further years. The Regional Director will be expected to develop, in collaboration with the Deputy Director, a working budget to access allocated funding for the Africa Regional Centre.
To increase their resources, the Centre Director will be further supported in the application to co-funding opportunities, including with other Lancet Countdown Regional Directors.
Appointment Process
If you are interested in applying, please take a close look at the full role description, and a CV and a one-page cover letter to info@lancetcountdown.org by 15 December 2024 at 23.30 GMT.
The application should describe candidate’s expertise with respect to the person specification and tasks detailed in the role description, as well as briefly describe their plans for leading the Lancet Countdown in Africa through a successful next phase of work.
Members of the Lancet Countdown’s Board, Director’s group, and Academic Steering Group will be invited to evaluate the applications, and help select the future director for the Regional Centre. Note that by sending your application to info@lancetcountdown.org, you are agreeing to your application being shared with individuals in the bodies mentioned above.