The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The Team
The Program Advocacy and Communications (PAC) team works in partnership with program teams and other teams in Global Policy and Advocacy (GPA) to achieve their policy and finance goals by:
- Developing and coordinating the execution of advocacy and communications strategies.
- Using leadership and foundation voice to implement advocacy strategies.
- Developing policy recommendations or proposals in partnership with programmatic and regional offices.
- Developing and managing a grant portfolio dedicated to achieving advocacy and policy (AP) outcomes.
- Directly advocating with sector leaders, influencers, media, and government officials in order to achieve advocacy and policy outcomes.
- Leading issue-specific communications in service of advocacy goals.
Within the PAC team, the global health (GH) research and product development (R&D) advocacy and communications cluster supports efforts to accelerate development of, access to, and uptake of innovations with the highest potential GH impact through R&D policies and funding, sustained by innovation systems that respond to the needs of low and low-middle income countries (LMICs).
Your Role
The Senior Program Officer (SPO), GH R&D and Industry Engagement will design and lead advocacy and policy efforts across specific GH R&D development priorities within the foundation’s broader R&D policy and advocacy strategy, with a particular focus on opportunities to increase engagement with, and investments in GH, by the life sciences industry (potentially comprising multinational pharmaceutical companies, emerging market innovator and manufacturing companies, and biotechnology partners). Partnering with internal technical and programmatic teams primarily within the foundation’s GH division, and well as other partners in GPA and externally, the SPO will help generate the awareness, resources, platforms, and policy changes necessary to catalyze and sustain private sector initiatives and public/private partnerships (PPPs) that drive high impact GH R&D, equitable access, and key health systems improvements. They will support advocacy and policy work throughout the entire product development value chain.
The post holder will be based in London and report to the PAC Deputy Director, GH R&D / Pandemic Preparedness & Response, and will work in close partnership with the foundation’s Europe Director, the full GH R&D and other PAC teams, and teams across GH and GPA divisions.
What You'll Do
Within the foundation’s overall GH R&D policy and advocacy strategy, and as part of a dynamic and collaborative team, contribute to development, implementation and refinement of advocacy, policy, and communications strategies and tactics, including but not limited to: a) Market-specific and industry-specific approaches, incentives, and metrics that can increase private sector partnerships and investment around GH R&D and access; b)Policy analysis and political/economic assessments of key issues, opportunities, and equity challenges related to life sciences industry investments; c) Evidence-based grants and investments that drive policy and resources outcomes, ensure long-term sustainability and impact, and are aligned to other strategies in the foundation.
Serve as primary GPA partner and point of contact for the GH division’s teams coordinating industry partnerships and access efforts across regions. Lead key relationships with other internal teams across the GH, GPA, and other Divisions to advance GH R&D and access goals.
Support direct collaborations with life sciences industry partners (including partners based in high-income countries (HICs) and LMICs where relevant), including executive-level, public affairs, and access policy teams.
Engage with government (HIC and LMIC), policy, and research partners in relevant regions around evidence and evidence-based policies that encourage industry investment in GH R&D, as well as metrics and evaluation tools to track results.
Explore creative opportunities, such as in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and access spaces and with the finance and investment sectors, to enable more impactful GH R&D investments. Specifically support the Europe Director on exploring potential points of entry for the foundation in the ESG space related to the life science sector (in Europe as well as in other regions), including identifying potential partners to work with on shaping this agenda.
Partner with civil society and global non-profit/public sector partners to encourage increased private sector/life sciences industry commitment to GH R&D and access issues.
Support and shape potential PPPs that advance impactful health R&D and access outcomes.
Develop, negotiate, and manage a portfolio of investments, including all related grant making processes (e.g., research and analysis, investment reviews, strategic alignment, grantee engagement, etc.).
Serve as a point of contact on other relevant portfolio-related issues for internal and external partners, working within a complex matrix style organization.
Form partnerships with people and organizations – in both the public and private sector, including in civil society, industry, and research institutions – to improve implementation of advocacy strategies and tactics.
Conceptualize and lead high impact and complex partnerships, grants, coalitions, and advocacy campaigns, as well as policy-related partnerships with technical partners.
Represent the foundation to external constituencies. This could include formal and informal presentations such as making speeches, attending conferences, committee representation and other meetings. May serve on boards and working groups.
Produce high-quality and informative written briefings, reports, email updates, and other materials on key GH R&D, life sciences sector (LSS), market access and other relevant issues for foundation leadership.
Your Experience
Advanced degree preferred in public policy, global public health, business, or an R&D related field, with progressive senior level experience leading advocacy, policy, and/or access initiatives in GH and/or development (preferably with a strong history of service in or relevant to the LSS).
Experience as a leader in the GH product development space, ideally within or directly related to the LSS; experience in the conception, design and management of industry initiatives, market access policies, PPPs, advocacy strategies, and/or access to medicines programs.
Demonstrated understanding of how life sciences and private sector engagement in health product development works; of how private sector health financing and policies can advance impactful, more equitable, LMIC-needs led, and gender equal health outcomes; and of how LSS R&D and access issues and partnerships intersect with national and regional health systems.
Demonstrated understanding of the role of advocacy and communications efforts to increase awareness of GH and development issues and inform political, financial, and private sector support for health and development goals in LMICs with governmental and non-state organizations.
Experience as an advocate and communicator - with particular emphasis on experience engaging private sector, donor and/or LMIC audiences around issues relevant to the LSS’s role supporting public health outcomes in LMICs.
Experience interacting with senior level policy makers, industry leaders, civil society organizations, coalitions, and governments.
Familiarity with the clinical trials process, product development, product manufacturing, product introduction, regulatory environment, procurement developing industry-relevant metrics/access measurements, and/or other key GH R&D policy themes.
Familiarity with bi-lateral and multi-lateral health finance institutions and mechanisms including how they fund R&D and product delivery programs at national and regional level and how they relate to the role of the private sector.
Connection and networks within the global R&D community; direct experience working with or within industry on the development and introduction of GH products; and some in-country experience in Asia-Pacific and/or on the African continent all preferred.
Ability and willingness to be a great partner to colleagues around the globe including the necessary flexibility to allow for regular interaction with many global time zones.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate within fast-paced, dynamic, and matrixed teams; and to provide vision and influence others in a constructive, optimistic manner, while forming and sustaining key relationships.
Outstanding project management skills including demonstrated ability to lead groups and organizations from strategy development through implementation, develop shared goals and implementation plans, facilitate meetings, manage budgets, developing partner consensus, and work both autonomously and collaboratively.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to effectively synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus.
Other Attributes
Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
Application deadline: 1 May 2023
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Hiring Requirements
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Depending upon your work location, we may require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and any recommended booster doses. All employees based in the United States are to provide proof of full vaccination upon hire and any recommended boosters, subject to applicable laws.
Candidate Accommodations
If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.
Inclusion Statement
We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.
All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.