Policy and Advocacy Manager

Policy and Advocacy Manager

Location:Geneva, Switzerland –Working time: 100%
Contract: Permanent

Context

In March 2020, MPP temporarily expanded its mandate to include any health technology that could contribute to the global response to COVID-19. In that context, MPP is currently involved in discussions/negotiations with several developers of COVID-19 health products. In addition, MPP is co-leading with the World Health Organization (WHO) a project for the establishment of a COVID-19 mRNA technology transfer hub in South Africa.

Reporting to the Head of Policy & Advocacy, the Policy & Advocacy Manager provides policy input and advocates MPP’s mission to ensure effective co-operation and communication between MPP and other stakeholders.

The initial focus of this position will be COVID-19 as well as providing policy and advocacy support to MPP’s new workstream on technology transfer.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining relations with external stakeholders, including governments, inter-governmental organisations and civil society institutions with an initial special focus on COVID-19.
• Establishing strategic/technical collaborations with key institutions in the therapeutic areas in which the MPP operates in, with an initial special focus on COVID-19.

• Providing policy and advocacy support to the technology transfer workstream at MPP.

• Monitoring and interacting with key policy processes that are relevant to the work of MPP in COVID-19, including drafting relevant documents and statements, as appropriate.

• Working with the Business Development and Legal teams and with partner organisations on policy aspects relating to the licensing of COVID-19 health technologies and other biotherapeutics.

• Developing outreach/advocacy strategies with key stakeholders and implementing them.

• Representing the Medicines Patent Pool at various public events, including making presentations on the work of the MPP.

• Performing other duties as assigned by the Head of Policy & Advocacy.

Knowledge/Qualifications:

The Policy and Advocacy Manager must have:

• Strong knowledge of access to medicines issues in developing countries, including in relation to COVID-19.
• Good understanding of intellectual property rights and their interface with public health, innovation, and access to medicines.
• Excellent advocacy and communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to speak in public.

Professional background

• A minimum of 7 years of practicing advocacy / policy work on issues relating to access to medicines, preferably in developing countries.

Education and special training

• Advance university degree (e.g. Masters) in a relevant field.

Languages

• Full fluency in professional English is required.
• Fluency in other official UN languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russia, Chinese) is a strong 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 Policy & Advocacy Manager will need to demonstrate the following qualities:

• Demonstrable personal commitment to the public health objectives of MPP.
• Organisation, autonomy, and the ability to work under tight deadlines and in new areas.
• Creativity and ability to think outside the box.
• Energy and stamina to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders on new and challenging ideas.
• Ability to work in a team but with little supervision.
• Sensitivity to different cultures and ways of working.
• Friendly personality.

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