Job Detail

Description

Overall Purpose:

The R&D Portfolio & Planning Leader will be responsible for portfolio planning and tracking, integrating project management excellence and leading workstreams to support R&D organizational objectives. This role will support the R&D Director in driving accountability, consistency, quality and process standardization where appropriate across all R&D programs. Aligned with R&D objectives he/she will develop and monitor research plans and budgets for the R&D projects, ensuring projects are completed on time and within cost. Working closely with project teams and R&D leadership, this individual will ensure that up to date, high quality, business-relevant information is available to define project milestones, track progression and manage risks. S/he ensures the planning and tracking of product development activities in accordance with the clinical development, regulatory and access strategies via optimal and efficient project management of these workstreams.

Contribution

Has the flexibility to perform various duties depending on the needs of the R&D organization and portfolio. Will focus on the development of portfolio and project plans and design optimal monitoring of progress, including risk management, to ensure R&D governance. S/he plans, integrates and coordinates activities across the portfolio to deliver a comprehensive R&D program or to manage operational aspects of the delivery. S/he develops new approaches, techniques, policies and establish important guidelines to provide a framework for R&D excellence. S/he proposes strategic support, staffing and budget decisions to the R&D Director and Program leaders.

Scope of Work (Results)

His/her role impacts R&D organizational performance and delivery of the portfolio and integral program/projects. More broadly contributes to and impacts GARDP’s output of DNDi via both internal R&D performance and including external interactions to support commitment of partners, stakeholders and to mobilise resources including funding.

Requirements

Tasks and responsibilities:

Portfolio and project planning and control

• Work with representatives from project teams to ensure that every project has a realistic, achievable plan, including all major activities and milestones


• Ensure that plans are updated on a regular basis and after major changes


• Work with Program leads and team members to understand and document the planning assumptions, project risks and constraints for each project


• Provide regular updates on project and portfolio progress to the R&D Director and the Monthly Performance Review meeting including rationale for change, review of risk management plans and identification of opportunities etc


• Produce summary reports of project and portfolio delivery against milestones for use by the Head of R&D and the Executive Team


• Develop and implement a GARDP best practice for project management based on agreed and documented plans. Maintain and ensure the use of a standard DNDi planning and scheduling tool


• Provide particular support for the documentation of clinical development plans and implementation of a clinical trial planning framework for activities from set-up, through conduct to analysis and reporting.


• Train, mentor and support project staff, as required, in scheduling, risk management and other project management activities to ensure consistent performance across the programs


• Work closely with BD, Legal and procurement teams to ensure partners’ and providers’ contributions and constraints are effectively integrated in overall planning and coordination.


• Coordinates the development of entire project budgets for the duration of the projects, and ensure coherence with global programs action plans together with the Program Leads with the support of the Finance team


• Ensure with Finance team that the project and clinical teams (in RO’s and Geneva) understand and control the budget and are accountable of their expenditure against the budget


• Generate interim and final technical and financial reports for key internal and external stakeholder including donors

Resource management and Fundraising

• Work with External Affairs and finance to prepare fundraising proposals and donor reports


• Participate to identify funding gaps, under the lead of Finance team.


• Support Fundraising team, in review earmarked proposals and reports before sending to donors


• Works with the HR team on administration of consultant contracts, supports the R&D Director on the preparation of team retreats, drafting role & responsibility charters, job descriptions and staffing plans for the R&D Programs

General

• Key role in portfolio and programme management, involves duties on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis


• Within program management, organises and gathers information from various departments and meetings and reports that information, along with recommendations, to executive members


• Participates in strategic initiatives by leading them and reporting results back to the R&D Director and executive Director


• Within strategic initiatives, demonstrates flexibility because some initiatives may not align with one GARDP departments


• Organises an R&D calendar and keeps track of multiple projects at the same time


• Keeps up with non-for profit and industry trends by reading literature and communicating with peers


• Acts as a representative of the R&D Director

R&D Technical Skills

• Excellent knowledge of Drug Development Project Management


• Good knowledge of Drug Discovery/Development


• Excellent knowledge of Clinical Research/Development and experience of antibiotic development would be useful


• Good knowledge of Regulatory and quality requirements


• Excellent Technical writing skills (dossiers, procedures, protocols and reports, grant applications)

Experience

• 5 to 10 years in Senior portfolio management or product planning & development role, preferably in the pharma/biotech industry


• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure


• Proven track record in portfolio and/or project management

Education

• Master’s degree or PhD in relevant field.


• Project Management certification or equivalent degree, a plus

Other Requirements

• Fluency in English


• Proficiency in local languages desirable


• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Suite Other information

To apply

• Please submit your application using the online form


• Deadline for application: Accepting applications until April 23rd 2019


• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted