The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.
During the last years, ISGlobal has emerged as a prominent international advocate for Planetary Health approach, integrating human health and the health of our planet into actionable research and policy initiatives. Together with a cluster of institutions — Fundació Sanitària Mollet (FSM), Consell Assessor per al Desenvolupament Sostenible (CADS), Col·legi Oficial de Metges de Barcelona (CoMB), and Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) — ISGlobal has been appointed to lead the Secretariat of the Planetary Health Alliance European Regional Hub (European Hub of the Planetary Health Alliance) for the 2026–2028 term. The European Hub is part of the global Planetary Health Alliance and works closely with its global headquarters and regional hubs.
ISGlobal is seeking a senior professional to lead the development and coordination of the Planetary Health Alliance European Hub Secretariat.
The European Hub Lead will provide strategic and operational leadership, strengthen the European Planetary Health community and represent the Hub in its relations with PHA Global (hosted at Johns Hopkins University), European institutions, professional and academic networks, healthcare organizations, policymakers and civil society.
The role requires a strong capacity to connect scientific knowledge with institutional strategy, policy and implementation; to build interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral partnerships; and to translate Planetary Health principles into collaborative initiatives with tangible impact.
The position involves regular interaction with European and international organizations and occasional travel within Europe.
Lead the Secretariat of the PHA European Regional Hub Secretariat as a multiinstituional cluster.
Lead the implementation of the European Hub strategy and work plan for the 2026–2028 term including the search of funding opportunities
Ensure alignment and close partnership with PHA Global and maintain regular collaboration with other regional hubs.
Strengthen and expand the Planetary Health network across Europe.
Build strategic partnerships with academic institutions, healthcare organizations, public administrations, professional bodies, European networks and civil society.
Facilitate interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration among Hub members and partners.
Represent the European Hub at European and international meetings, conferences and institutional forums.
Contribute and oversee the Hub’s communication and dissemination strategy, including its website, newsletters and professional networks.
Communicate Planetary Health concepts and initiatives effectively to scientific, institutional, professional and public audiences.
AUXILIAR TASKS
This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder.
This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.
Strategic vision and strong leadership capacity.
Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation and relationship-management skills.
Ability to work across disciplines, sectors and institutional cultures.
Strong planning, coordination and decision-making abilities.
Excellent written and oral communication, including public speaking and institutional representation.
Capacity to work autonomously while fostering collaborative and distributed leadership.
Proactive, innovative and results-oriented approach.
Ability to identify strategic partnerships, project opportunities and potential funding sources.
Availability for occasional travel within Europe.
The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety The post holder will respect, and be accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.
University degree in environmental sciences, public health, health sciences, sustainability or another relevant discipline.
Postgraduate training in Planetary Health, environmental health, public health, sustainability, management or a related field will be considered an asset.
At least ten years of relevant professional experience in environmental health, sustainability, public health, Planetary Health or related fields.
Demonstrated experience leading strategic programmes, organizational transformation or multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Proven ability to develop partnerships across academic, healthcare, institutional, policy and civil-society settings.
Experience translating scientific and technical knowledge into strategies, programmes, policies or practical solutions.
Experience working in European or international networks and representing organizations in high-level professional environments.
Knowledge of health-system transformation, environmental determinants of health and Planetary Health approaches will be highly valued.
Full professional proficiency in English, Spanish and Catalan, both written and spoken.
Knowledge of additional European languages will be considered an asset.
Contract: Full time (40 hours per week). Until the end of the European Hub’s current mandate in December 2028.
Salary: According to ISGlobal internal salary scale
Work-Life Balance: 36 days off per year (23 vacation days + 13 personal days)
Start date: September 2026
Applicants must complete the application form and upload a CV and a Cover Letter. Each document must be clearly named with the candidate’s name and surname.
Applications will remain open until 16th of September.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted and interviewed as applications are received. Interviews may take place during the application period.
We encourage diverse applications, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political beliefs.
The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.
If needed any technical test could be passed. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.
In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.
In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.
ISGlobal is a public-private partnership with a longstanding commitment to global health that builds on the existing research, training, and health activities of its founders and strives to contribute to the global effort to improve health worldwide.
It is the fruit of an innovative alliance between the ”la Caixa” Foundation and academic and government institutions to contribute to the efforts undertaken by the international community to address the challenges in global health. ISGlobal is a consolidated hub of excellence in research that has grown out of work first started in the world of health care by the Hospital Clínic and the Parc de Salut MAR and in the academic sphere by the University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University.
Its working model is based on the generation of scientific knowledge through Research Programmes and Groups, and its translation through the areas of Training and Analysis and Global Development.
ISGlobal has been named a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence and is a member of the CERCA system of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
