The HEPA Europe network works for better health and well-being by promoting more physical activity for all. Its mission is to provide a forum for the advancement of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) research, policy and practice across the WHO European Region.
HEPA Europe has established 11 working groups that deliver high-quality, relevant evidence in the field of HEPA promotion, providing important support for the development of methods, tools and guidance related to the promotion of HEPA in the WHO European Region. In November 2020, the HEPA Europe Early Career Section was launched to foster the interaction, mutual support, capacity-building and growth of professionals in the early stages of their career within the interdisciplinary field of HEPA promotion.
HEPA Europe and WHO/Europe are pleased to announce that applications for the 2024 Early Career Professional’s Development Programme are now open for early career researchers, practitioners and policy-makers across the WHO European Region. This is an opportunity for early career professionals to develop public health competencies and build networks, while learning more about the work of WHO/Europe and the HEPA Europe network.
Objectives of the programme
- Support collaboration between early career professionals to interact with, learn from and support one another
- Enhance knowledge and skills through exposure to training opportunities and best practices, along with technical support for projects
- Engage early career professionals within the broader HEPA Europe community
- Facilitate networking opportunities
Participation in the programme will require a 6-month commitment from 1 March 2024
The programme will include:
- monthly online meetings with HEPA Europe and public health experts;
- a visit to WHO Regional Office for Europe at UN City in Copenhagen, Denmark in July 2024;
- registration to the 15th HEPA conference on 19–21 August 2024 (Dublin, Ireland), including an opportunity to present during the conference; and
- exposure to WHO/Europe projects and initiatives.
Potential work areas
- HEPA Europe working groups
- Active ageing – physical activity promotion in older adults
- Environmental approaches to HEPA promotion
- Exchange of experiences in children and adolescents
- HEPA injury prevention
- HEPA promotion in health-care settings
- HEPA promotion in socially disadvantaged groups
- Monitoring and surveillance of physical activity
- Policy approaches to physical activity promotion (PAPAP)
- Promoting physical activity and health in sports clubs
- Sport clubs for health (SCforH)
- Workplace HEPA promotion
- Physical Activity Strategy for the WHO European Region 2016–2025
- WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030
How to apply
The applicant is invited to submit:
- a motivation letter expressing interest in working with a specific HEPA Europe working group or WHO physical activity area of work, explaining how their professional background and goals align with HEPA Europe and WHO/Europe (max. 500 words);
- a description of one deliverable/project that they could work on during the 6 months with the programme: this could be a research project, a policy problem they are working on, or any real-life initiative related to HEPA (max. 500 words);
- a letter of recommendation from a supervisor or colleague; and
- their curriculum vitae (1 page).
Requirements:
• English proficiency;
• affiliation to a HEPA Europe member institution;
• 3–5 years’ work experience related to physical activity promotion; or
• up to 3 years since PhD graduation.
Please submit applications to hepaeurope@who.int (cc Stephen Whiting whitings@who.int) by 15 January 2024.
Feel free to contact us directly with any queries.