Call for applications – Scientific Manager

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

Working time: 100% – possibility to work from home up to 50% of working time, or according to MPP HR rules.

Contract: permanent

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. 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.

MPP’s initial work began with infectious diseases including HIV, viral hepatitis and TB, and obtained licences that resulted in high public health impact. In 2018, MPP’s mandate expanded to target medicines included in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines or with potential for future inclusion, which encompass a whole range of disease areas, including diabetes and cancers. Additionally, MPP has the mandate to work on COVID-19 interventions, and is exploring other areas of intervention, as relevant. Finally, given their ground-breaking potential impact, long-acting technologies and formulations to achieve longer exposure to medicines is a focus area.

For more information, please see our website, https://medicinespatentpool.org/

Scientific Manager at MPP 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 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 position reports to the Head of Scientific Information and works closely with a second scientific manager within the Science Unit.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities include:

Lead on a subset of the medical/scientific analysis of possible priorities for in-licensing by MPP. This includes:
- Exploring pipelines of medicines for relevant health areas with special focus on 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
Support the development and update of a prioritisation framework to guide MPP’s in-licensing efforts;
Collect updated information on candidate medicines to be run through the prioritisation framework and support the evidence-based development of the list of MPP prioritized and watchlist medicines;
Provide technical input into negotiations with pharmaceutical companies aimed at highlighting the need for specific health interventions in LMICs;
Provide scientific perspective and updates for quarterly meetings with generic manufacturers;
Stay and keep MPP abreast of medical and technical matters relevant to MPP’s work, with constant attention to identifying new potential opportunities;
Participate on behalf of MPP in various international fora, conferences and expert groups dealing with treatments for relevant diseases and conditions;
Strengthen and expand connections with relevant academic and clinical communities;
Support active engagement with the MPP’s Scientific Advisory Panel;
Provide medical/scientific support and advice relating to health areas of relevance to MPP to all MPP workstreams;
Contribute to building and establishing MPP’s public health impact in relevant health areas;
Other duties as assigned by the Head of Scientific Information.

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 challenges 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 would be an asset.
Good knowledge of current therapies for at least one of the following infectious diseases : HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis or malaria.

Education and special training

Advanced university degree in a relevant scientific discipline including medicine or pharmaceutical sciences.
Medical degree would be an asset.

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, Generosity and Commitment.

Moreover, the scientific manager 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;
Ability to articulate ideas in an incisive manner
Ability to summarize information, interpret it and turn it into concise technical notes and presentations adapted to different audiences
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’s Values

The MPP respects all individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.

To flourish in our team, you must recognise yourself in our values: Respect, Courage, Generosity and Commitment.

Place of Work

This post is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

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” as reference in the subject line by 19 September 2022.