Launched in 2017, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an international coalition of governments, academic, philanthropic, private, public, and intergovernmental institutions whose vision is to create a world in which epidemics and pandemics are no longer a threat to humanity. Our mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI has overseen a number of scientific “firsts”, including the first-ever Chikungunya vaccine to receive approval, the advancement of the first-ever Nipah virus vaccines into Phase 1 trials, and a MERS and Lassa vaccine into first-ever Phase 2 trials. CEPI has also supported the development of four COVID-19 vaccines, which have received WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL), and co-lead COVAX, the global initiative to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines
CEPI’s five-year plan for 2022-2026 – known as CEPI 2.0 – aims to dramatically reduce or even eliminate the future risk of pandemics and epidemics. Central to the plan is CEPI’s goal to accelerate the time taken to develop safe, effective, globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days. Achieving this ‘100 Days Mission’, which has been embraced by leaders of the G7 and G20, would give the world a fighting chance of containing a future outbreak before it can spread to become a global pandemic, potentially averting millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic damage.
About the role
CEPI is seeking a Head of Africa Strategy and Engagement. The post-holder will shape and support implementation of respectful partnerships with African stakeholders on shared epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response (EPPR) R&D, manufacturing and enabling science and policy objectives. The post holder will also contribute to CEPI’s engagement with international EPPR policy processes, programmes and partners.
Location of role to be discussed, but London or Oslo are options. S/he will be line managed by the Director for Public Partnerships (External and Investor Relations Division), but report jointly on work programme to the Director of Clinical Development (R&D Division) and Director of Public Policy. The position holder will line manage two Public Partnership Department colleagues supporting CEPI’s engagement and respectful partnerships with African stakeholders.
OBJECTIVES
In the Public Policy Department the successful candidate will lead Africa partnership strategy development and implementation; lead selected key institution relationships at regional or country level; provide thought leadership on CEPI’s overall approach to “respectful partnerships”; contribute to wider EIR work on policy, communications and resource mobilisation in Africa, and more broadly; support wider EIR and CEPI external stakeholder engagement (e.g. WHO, global health institutions, multilateral development banks); and contribute to a collaborative and supportive EIR and Public Partnerships department working environment.
Within the R&D division, the successful candidate will contribute CEPI priority pathogen development programmes for diseases endemic in Africa and cross-cutting activities related to CEPI’s ‘100 Day Mission’ and closely related areas. This will include focused work with the Clinical Development Department on research preparedness / emergency evidence generation and readiness activities (incl. site preparedness, clinical research tools & tech, scientific evidence generation strategies, vaccine safety monitoring). S/he will ensure that the development of CEPI strategies and activities engage African stakeholders and support mutual alignment with regional plans and strategies, and coordination with wider stakeholders, including WHO (HQ, AFRO, EMRO), funders and other partners.
Education, Experience and Competence
We are seeking an individual with extensive experience in clinical research and vaccine development strategies who can interact with key opinion leaders, academic institutions, health and regulatory authorities and CSOs etc. in Africa. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of African regional institutions and experience working in a range of country environments. S/he must be able to work respectfully with colleagues and partners with diverse cultures.
To be successful in the role you will need to have/demonstrate:
- Masters Degree or higher in a relevant field
- A minimum 15 years experience in public health/health policy, including 10 years of clinical science experience in / relevant to African contexts, with solid knowledge of product development, clinical research and implementation
- Demonstrable track record in regional and international collaborations and operations and ability to work in multinational teams
- Strong interpersonal skills, team player with ability to lead projects, able to work in different cultural environments and interact with relevant African as well as international / global stakeholders incl. regulatory agencies, academia, and industry partners. Ability to identify and react constructively to challenges with respective partners and stakeholders
- Excellent command / highly proficient in spoken and written English (French would be beneficial)
- Excellent understanding of and established network with African institutions relevant for vaccine development, public health governance, regulatory authorities, interventional drug / vaccine implementation – at regional, supra-national and national levels (incl. but not limited to Africa-CDC, AMA, ECOWAS, WAHO, AVAREF, AAS, N-CDC etc. …)
- Understanding of the global vaccine development, global health and pandemic preparedness ecosystems, including WHO.
- Strong and constructive line management experience and approach.
- Additional capabilities to support CEPI’s global role, culture, and heterogeneous working environment including but not limited to for example high level of personal integrity, bridging across diverse groups internally and externally, ability to ‘make things happen’, innovative mindset / ‘thinking out of the box’, ability to address complex problems / develop creative solutions and concepts, team player, open-mindedness, curiosity, and agility.