Regional Policy Lead- Health Research and Development at PATH

Responsibilities:

Strategic leadership, oversight and high-level policy engagement

• Provide strategic leadership and high-level oversight of PATH’s R&D policy advocacy priorities to influence national and regional- level decision makers to enact policies that accelerate equitable access to health products and technologies.
• Serve as PATH’s regional health R&D policy-lead, leading engagement with policy makers and advocacy partners and representing PATH in meetings, convenings, conferences, hearings, events, other public forums, and with the media.
• Work with PATH’s External Affairs Africa Region and Partnership teams to engage and influence agenda of regional and multilateral decision-making bodies —including the African Union, AUDA-NEPAD, Africa CDC, and G20/BRICS—to shape policies, funding, collaboration, and normative/standard-setting initiatives and processes that impact the speed of product development, introduction and equitable access to new health technologies in the Africa region.

Partnership building (internal and external)

• Foster collaboration with relevant PATH’s technical programs to optimize cross-organizational capabilities to advance R&D policy in areas such as vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
• Lead key relationships and engagements with existing and potential global health R&D stakeholders and advocacy partners in the region—such as product development partners (PDPs), research organizations regional advocacy organizations, coalitions and other entities in advancing PATH’s health R&D advocacy goals.

Project and people management

• Oversee PATH’s Africa health R&D advocacy workstream project management and budget, including development, implementation of, and accountability for annual work plans, budgets and reporting.
• Provide strategic leadership in design of communication materials to influence and document R&D policy advocacy including case studies, thought pieces, policy briefs, lessons learned and best practices,
• Provide overall team leadership and employee support of PATH staff that implement and support health R&D advocacy in the region.
• Promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, learning, support, diversity, and innovation.
• Provide leadership and guidance on organizational changes, including talent development and retention.

Business Development

• In collaboration with the business development team, spearhead strategy and direction-setting for future of PATH’s R&D advocacy work including developing strategic priorities and a pipeline for business development and portfolio growth.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree in a public health-related field plus a minimum of twelve years of professional experience including senior-level oversight and leading strategy in R&D policy or advocacy; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated success in designing effective policy, advocacy and/or communications strategies and implementing projects to influence health R&D related policies with regional entities and national decision-making bodies.
• Experience working with or influencing regional bodies, multilaterals such as the AUC, AUDA_NEPAD, Africa CDC, G20/BRICS.
• Familiarity with international and local regulatory frameworks (including experience navigating product approvals, compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), working with local regulatory bodies) and/or with introduction of pharmaceutical products to the market (including experience in developing go-to-market strategies, conducting market research, managing stakeholder relationships).
• Proven ability to represent an organization publicly and create and maintain effective working relationships with high-level government personnel, regional entities, and partners across the health R&D ecosystem.
• An understanding of the rapidly developing policy landscape around AI, in Africa, and the associated regulatory, and other policy influencing opportunities.
• Knowledge of the pharmaceutical ecosystem: Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical supply chain, from manufacturing to distribution, including market dynamics, regulatory requirements, and pricing strategies.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Experience working with diverse stakeholders across R&D, regulatory, commercial, and supply chain functions to ensure seamless product development and introduction.
• Demonstrated success in leading advocacy partnerships or working groups in creating strategies, aligning activities, and messaging and implementing advocacy and/or policy is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in grants management, project management, and donor reporting.
• Demonstrated success in financial oversight and budget management.
• Innovative thinker with proven experience bringing new ideas and practices to growing projects.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Must be willing and able to travel for business an estimated 30% of the time.
• Must have legal authorization to work in potential countries.