Project coordinator 'Caribbean RSV implementation and policy readiness'

As Project Coordinator for the Caribbean RSV Roadmap project, you will play a central role in translating scientific evidence into actionable, context-specific policy and implementation pathways for RSV prevention in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This position is explicitly oriented towards the Caribbean context. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with lived, cultural, or professional experience in the Caribbean, and especially from candidates who are originally from the Caribbean region.

The VIMP project builds on the ZonMw-funded CARE-SAFE study and focuses on decision and implementation readiness for RSV preventive strategies (such as infant prophylaxis or maternal vaccination) on the CAS islands (Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten). The project supports Ministries of Health and public health authorities in making evidence-informed, locally grounded decisions, rather than implementing medical interventions directly.

You will coordinate the project on a day-to-day basis, connect stakeholders across islands and disciplines, and ensure timely delivery of concrete outputs such as stakeholder round tables, decision criteria frameworks, and island-specific implementation roadmaps. This position is ideal for a candidate who enjoys working at the interface of research, policy, and international collaboration, and who is interested in developing towards a PhD trajectory in global health, infectious diseases, or implementation science.

Role and scope of work
The position spans the full implementation research cycle, including:

• Collection and synthesis of epidemiological, health-system and policy-relevant data.
• Supporting structured stakeholder consultations and decision-making processes.
• Contributing to context-specific implementation research, including feasibility, affordability and organisational readiness;.
• Translating evidence into practical implementation roadmaps and policy-relevant outputs.

Your main responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the overall execution of the VIMP project and monitoring progress against milestones.
• Organising and facilitating stakeholder Round Table meetings with Ministries of Health, clinicians, public health professionals and other key actors on the CAS islands.
• Supporting the development of island-specific implementation roadmaps for RSV prevention.
• Liaising with Caribbean partners, researchers, and external experts.
• Preparing meeting agendas, summaries, and project documentation.
• Drafting reporting, knowledge translation products, and handover documents for Ministries of Health.
• Identifying opportunities for follow-up research and funding, including alignment with a potential PhD project as a continuation of your work.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have a strong affinity with the Caribbean region and its health systems. You preferably have lived, studied and/or worked in the Caribbean, or have comparable regional experience.

Furthermore you:

• Are motivated to contribute to equitable, context-sensitive public health decision-making.
• Have an interest in health-economic thinking, such as cost-effectiveness, affordability and prioritisation of interventions within constrained health systems.

Required qualifications and skills:

• A completed Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. biomedical sciences, public health, global health, epidemiology, health sciences, medicine).
• Strong organisational and coordination skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; knowledge of Dutch, Papiamentu and/or Spanish is a strong asset.
• Ability to work independently and to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Preferred (but not required):

• Experience in global health, implementation science, or policy-oriented research.
• Interest in developing towards a PhD trajectory focused on Caribbean public health or infectious diseases.

Radboudumc strongly values diversity and inclusion. For this position, we particularly welcome applications from candidates with Caribbean backgrounds or strong ties to the region, as their perspectives are essential for the success and sustainability of this project.

Hybrid working is possible, combining on-site work at one Caribbean site with remote collaboration with other Caribbean partners, but flexibility to travel is expected. This position offers flexibility in appointment percentage. While the initial perspective is a full-time position, a part-time appointment may be discussed, particularly if follow-up funding is not secured. The exact scope and continuation of the role will be aligned with project developments and mutual expectations.

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• A gross monthly salary between € 3.020 .and € 4.041 (scale 7) for full-time employment (36 hours per week). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and, depending on the position, an allowance of 47% to 72% for working irregular hours.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week.

You will be embedded within a team of laboratories, hospitals, blood banks, public health services and Ministries of Health across all six Caribbean islands of the Kingdom. The working environment is highly international, interdisciplinary and impact-driven, combining research with real-world policy relevance.

A key strength of the CARE-SAFE consortium is its deep embedding in Caribbean health systems and institutions. As Project Coordinator, you will work closely with clinicians, laboratories, public health professionals and Ministries of Health across the Caribbean islands. Cultural sensitivity, contextual understanding and trust-based collaboration are therefore essential elements of this role.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where our research groups strive for innovative solutions that make impact on health and healthcare. We challenge the status quo to overcome current and future health challenges. Our goal is to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Our focus is on prevention, sustainability, and meaningful care, which we achieve through our in-depth understanding of disease mechanisms, clinical science, public health research, medical technology and data science. Our approach is centered on breakthroughs that can truly enhance personalized healthcare and public health.

At Radboudumc, a comprehensive range of research programs provide the compass for our research efforts. Each program has a clear goal, where collaboration within and outside our organization is highly valued. We integrate care, education and research in partnership with our patients to ensure that our research programs have significant impact on health and healthcare. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a healthy future for all.

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then email to dr. Lilly Verhagen, paediatrician - infectious diseases and immunology subspecialist or Jayant Kalpoe, clinical microbiologist. Use the Apply button to submit your application.