Job Detail

Scientific Manager – NCDs (non-communicable diseases)

Location: Geneva, Switzerland, with frequent travels up to 25% of the working time.

The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to, and facilitate the development of, life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups and other stakeholders, to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations. To date, MPP has signed agreements with ten patent holders for thirteen HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals and a tuberculosis treatment. MPP was founded by Unitaid, which serves as sole funder for MPP’s activities in HIV, hepatitis C and tuberculosis. MPP is now expanding its activities to cover Essential Medicines.

For more information

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

The Scientific Manager – NCDs performs a critical role of guiding MPP’s work through medical and technical advice in all aspects of its work. Working closely with international organisations and other stakeholders, including industry partners, the Scientific Manager – NCDs is part of an MPP team dedicated to helping speed up access to better and adapted medicines for those in developing countries that need them most.

The Scientific Manager – NCDs reports to the Head of Policy and Advocacy.

Core responsibilities include:

• Lead on the medical/scientific analysis of possible priorities for in-licensing by MPP in relation to non-communicable diseases. This includes:
  
  
  
  • Exploring pipelines of medicines for relevant NCDs affecting LMICs;
  
  
  • Regular monitoring of treatment guidelines;
  
  
  • Compiling information on ongoing clinical trials;
  
  
  • Assessing public health opportunities in relation to existing and pipeline products;
  
  
  • Monitoring any relevant clinical issues in relation to the products being targeted;
  
  


• Provide technical input into negotiations with pharmaceutical companies aimed at highlighting the need for specific health interventions in LMICs;


• Support the development of negotiation strategies and engagement with industry and other stakeholders through scientific/medical input;


• Work, in coordination with Business Development Managers, on the development of adapted formulations by generic manufacturers by helping troubleshoot queries that come up during product development directly or through external experts/consultants;


• Stay and keep MPP abreast of medical and technical matters relevant to MPP’s work, with a constant attention to identify new potential opportunities;


• Work with colleagues in supporting MPP’s exploration of opportunities in the field of long-acting technologies;


• Participate on behalf of MPP in various international fora, conferences and expert groups dealing with treatments for relevant NCDs;


• Strengthen and expand connections with relevant academic and clinical communities;


• Together with the Scientific Manager – Infectious Diseases and the Market Access Manager manage interactions with the Scientific Advisory Panel;


• Provide medical/scientific support and advice relating to the NCDs of relevance to MPP to all MPP workstreams;


• Contribute to building and establishing MPP’s public health impact in the NCDs space;


• Other duties as assigned by the Head of Policy and Advocacy.

Knowledge/Qualifications:

• Experience of working closely or coordinating with public health organisations and leading clinical experts in relevant disease areas and/or pharmaceutical companies;


• Good understanding of public health issues related to access to medicines in developing countries, work experience in at least one low- or middle-income country would be an asset;


• Good knowledge of some of the current therapies for the treatment of non-communicable diseases included in the World Health Organization (WHO) Model List of Essential Medicines.

Education and special training:
Advanced university degree in a relevant scientific discipline including medicine or pharmaceutical sciences.

Experience (length and nature):
At least 5 years of relevant experience working in a public or private health-related organisation.

Use of Languages:

• Full fluency and demonstrated work experience in English is required;


• Fluency in another UN language is an asset.

Personal Qualities:

MPP’s richness lies in its staff: a small dynamic and multicultural team!
To flourish in our team, you must recognise yourself in our values: Respect, Courage, Teamwork and Commitment.
Moreover, the Scientific Manager – NCDs will need to demonstrate the following qualities:

• Demonstrable personal commitment to the public health goals of MPP;


• Organised, autonomous, and able to work within short timelines and new areas;


• Creativity and ability to think out of the box;


• Energy and stamina to bring together a varied range of stakeholders on novel, difficult ideas;


• Ability to work in teams but with little supervision;


• Sensitivity to different cultures and work styles;


• Friendly personality.

MPP respects all individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, HIV status or disability. All qualified applications are welcome.

If you recognise yourself in this description and wish to join our outstanding team, please send a cover letter and C.V. to recruitment@medicinespatentpool.org including “Scientific Manager – NCDs” as reference in the subject line by 21 February 2021.