UK-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.

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.

Applications should be made by clicking the 'Apply' button above. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until 10pm of the closing date. Any queries regarding the application process may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk. Please quote reference PHP-GHD-2026-09. 

The supporting statement section should set out how your qualifications, experience & training meet each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing each criterion. The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection process and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the application will not be considered. 

Please note that if you are shortlisted and are unable to attend on the interview date it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.

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