Head of Department Public Health - Professor

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) is internationally recognized as a center of excellence for education, research and service in the field of tropical medicine.

For the general management of our public health department (DPH) we are looking for a head of department and professor with an excellent scientific curriculum, international appeal and inspiring leadership qualities.

The DPH strives to empower populations to be able to live healthy lives in complex dynamic environments. Our mission is to create, together with our partners, evidence on effective and sustainable interventions, systems and policies that contribute to protecting and promoting health for all, in particular of vulnerable populations.

The DPH employs around 85 people, and is currently thematically organised into four research groups: Sexual & Reproductive Health (SRH), Tropical Infectious Diseases (TID), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), and Health Systems & Health Policy (HSHP), as well as an education and administration group.

As head of department you report to the director of ITM, are a member of the Management Committee and chair the Department Council.

You provide leadership to promote, implement and measure progress of the ITM and Departmental Policy Plans, and identify and implement adjustments with ITM leadership.

Specifically you will:

• Provide scientific leadership to the Department of Public Health to stimulate excellence in research and science through competitive hiring practices and identification of external funding sources and collaborative opportunities for the department, permanent academic staff and researchers.
• Find synergies between research, education and service (cooperation) as outlined in the ITM Policy Plan.
• Identify cross-departmental synergies for collaboration.
• Contribute and support the ongoing evolution and changes in ITM educational strategy.
• You strengthen the reputation and position of ITM and are externally (pro)actively visible and present in the various academic fields. You act nationally and internationally as representative and ambassador for ITM and the department.
• In line with the overall ITM strategy, vision and guidelines, you lead a process to create future ITM and departmental policy plan and translate these into specific measureable action plans for your department and monitor their implementation.
• You promote a stimulating and harmonious working context, with a culture of intra- and interdepartmental cooperation, creativity and inclusion.
• You manage unit heads as your direct reports, and ensure clear goals, agreements, evaluation, coaching and support between units.
• Together with your direct reports, you encourage all employees to develop, share and use their knowledge and skills to the full.
• In collaboration with the departmental manager, you oversee, guarantee and are accountable for the provision and allocation of sufficient and high-quality resources in terms of finance, personnel and logistics.
• You ensure that all health and safety standards and regulations are upheld and respected within the department

• You are eligible to be appointed as a professor with a proven minimum of 10 years academic experience in the areas within the mission statement and strategy of the ITM.
• You have a strong scientific curriculum and international reputation in a scientific domain relevant to the department, in its field of research.
• You have a sound knowledge of, or interest in, the broader research field of the department.
• You are a strong networker who can identify and secure mutual opportunities. To this end, you can rely on a large network with international prestige and impact.
• You have proven to be successful in attracting external research funding.
• You have demonstrably strong leadership skills:
  • Strategy and policy development
  • Expansion of synergies and cooperation (internal and external, national and international)
  • Cross-functional management
  • Engaging communication and change management
  • Employee development
• You communicate fluently in English. You have knowledge of Dutch or are willing to learn Dutch
• You are participative and consult thoroughly, are decisive, take responsibility and set priorities. You are driven, a problem solver and proactive.
• You have some experience in financial and administrative oversight.
• You can commit yourself fulltime for the full mandate period of 5 years.

ITM is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to the socially relevant mission of ITM. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients. We offer you:

• A departmental head mandate of 5 years with mandate fee, renewable after positive evaluation as per ITM policy. Expected starting date: 1/10/2023
• A position as a professor with expertise in an area of ITM academic priority, with an approximate 50% time commitment to as a department head. A fulltime postdoctoral assistant to support your academic activity.
• A collegial working environment with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development.
• A workplace in the middle of the vibrant city of Antwerp, easily accessible by public transport
• A salary set according to the pay scales of ITM and the Flemish universities and to your work experience with some supplementary benefits, such as private pension scheme and meal voucher subscription.

Apply for this post and send your letter of motivation and CV to recruitment@itg.be before 08/01/2023 .

For more information about this position, please contact HR (recruitment@itg.be).

Only applications with CV and letter of motivation will be accepted.

Are you an ITM-colleague and ready for a new challenge? Do not hesitate to contact HR about this position. Your candidacy will be handled strictly confidential.

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