POLICY CURES RESEARCH: Senior Technical Officer – Sexual & Reproductive Health

Why you should join PCR?

• Be part of an internationally respected non-profit research and policy organisation serving influential, high-profile clients around the world
• Join a global team of professionals currently working in Australia, Europe and Africa.
• Become an expert in the latest global health innovations being investigated to tackle the world’s most neglected diseases and health issues

Our story

Policy Cures Research is an internationally respected, non-profit research and policy organisation that provides data and strategic analysis on innovation for global health to high-profile organisations around the world. Our flagship project, G-FINDER, provides an annual picture of the global investments made in research and development for neglected infectious diseases, emerging infectious diseases and sexual and reproductive health issues, and. We also undertake targeted, in-depth research and analysis on a wide range of R&D facets, from historical sector funding trends and product pipelines to future-looking cost modelling and resource mobilisation strategies, for a wide range of clients and partners.

Global health R&D funders, product developers, and advocates use our data and analysis for several purposes including, identifying product and funding gaps to guide investments and priority-setting exercises, advocating to decision-makers for sustaining and growing global health R&D budgets, and remaining accountable to constituents (e.g., taxpayers, investors, board members, etc.).

We are looking to expand our diverse team to include an expert in sexual and reproductive health biomedical innovation, as a Senior Technical Officer in our Science and Policy Advisory team.

We offer staff the opportunity to work flexibly on exciting and ground-breaking global health research for competitive salaries from almost anywhere in the world.

Senior Technical Officer – Sexual & Reproductive Health: role and profile

Housed within the Science and Policy Advisory Team, the Senior Technical Officer will be responsible for leading the implementation of discrete projects or components of projects related to global health R&D funding and the product landscape specifically focused on sexual and reproductive health (SRH); managing matrix teams to deliver these projects; and supporting education and knowledge sharing across the organisation, especially on topics related to SRH and gender. Strong candidates will have demonstrated experience contributing to global health research and analysis. Outstanding project and team management skills, excellent written and verbal communication, comfort with data and in-depth knowledge of the global health landscape are a must. Strong quantitative analytical skills, as well as a scientific background in biology, medicine or biomedical R&D are important.

We are specifically looking for individuals with a strong track record in sexual and reproductive health to complement our team’s existing expertise; this includes experience in sexually transmitted infections, contraception, abortion, gynaecological and maternal health issues, as well as gender-related drivers of health inequity. An interest in all PCR health areas is also important, given our matrix structure which requires willingness and flexibility to support all areas of organisational practice. Our focus is on biomedical R&D and product development to meet the needs of those living in low- and middle-income countries, so experience and interest in this context is important.

The Senior Technical Officer is a full-time role and will report to the Director of the Science and Policy Advisory team. They will also work closely with PCR’s Gender Lead.

Key responsibilities

Technical research and analysis

• Be the SRH lead within the Science and Policy advisory (SPA) team
• Undertake landscape reviews of the R&D pipeline, including its alignment with identified priorities and relevant target product profiles. In the near term this will include pipeline research in pregnancy-related conditions, maternal anaemia, maternal enteric microbiome, and STIs, with opportunities for expansion in the future.
• Work with colleagues to ensure the technical accuracy of PCR’s written content related to the diseases, conditions, and products within our scope – particularly SRH-related content – including discussion of R&D gaps and the current state of the R&D pipeline.
• Provide technical support for new projects, particularly on defining scope, data gathering, with key technical input on SRH, gender and women’s health projects etc.
• Develop and validate R&D priority consensus documents and position PCR for prospective work related to R&D prioritisation e.g. TPP matching, clinical trial quality assessment.
• Validate funding data, including scope review and quality control.
• Contribute to the ongoing review of projects, including landscape analyses, preparation of materials and communication with advisory committees, particularly those related to SRH project work.
• Provide technical input to support other teams at PCR e.g., to define the structure and content of databases and data visualisation; to ensure analysis and communications reflect the current global health landscape.
• Assessing SRH investment data for alignment with G-FINDER inclusion/exclusion criteria

Management

• Contribute to the coordination of the day-to-day activities of the SPA team, including overseeing projects or project elements.
• Project manage allocated discrete activities across the organisational matrix.
• Review research undertaken by other staff and provide guidance and constructive feedback to improve junior staff’s ability to conduct independent, high quality data analysis.
• Mentor junior colleagues from across the organisation.
• Opportunity to line manage junior members of the SPA team.

External engagement

• Present Policy Cures Research’s findings at conferences, events, and other external meetings.
• Identify and regularly participate in global health / SRH R&D sector conferences/meetings to maintain and bolster PCR’s presence and participation in relevant global health dialogues.
• Develop written content (e.g. blogs, papers/publications) focused on technical updates in the global health / SRH space or on our focal diseases to be shared with the external community to enhance PCRs visibility. Support junior staff to do this also.
• Foster and grow professional networks of external partners particularly focused on connections that will help to refine and improve the scope of PCRs SRH work
• Maintain a strong understanding of the SRH policy landscape and identify opportunities to present PCR’s key messages

Knowledge management and staff education

• Work with other SPA team members to develop and deliver the team’s role in staff education, specifically focusing on SRH.
• Identify and proactively share useful information with colleagues, including key developments in SRH global health R&D, such as trial results, policy announcements, or new collaborations, as well as relevant events or presentations that might provide learning opportunities for the team.
• Support junior team members to advance their knowledge as related to PCRs priorities.

Self-directed learning/knowledge maintenance

• Systematically review and keep up to date with the strategic, scientific, and technical aspects of the SRH global health R&D landscape and policy agendas.
• Proactively seek development opportunities and regularly consider and review future development goals.

Position requirements

Essential

• Advanced degree in global public health, biosciences, medicine, pharmacy, or a related field with strong health or health policy training. Candidates with qualifications in sexual and reproductive health are preferred for this appointment.
• 7-10 years of demonstrated experience working in science, health or global health, with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities, analytical skills, and strategic thinking, including the ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of raw data, with an outstanding attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills, in English, with the ability to interpret complex information and communicate this to a range of audiences so it is clear and accessible.
• Strong networking, influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to inspire and influence others, as well as the confidence and personal authority to work with external organisation
• Proven project and people management skills, with an ability to successfully design and deliver projects at the head of a small team.
• Comfort working in a matrix organisation with shared responsibilities and flexibility in undertaking tasks as needed. Intermediate-to-advanced Microsoft Excel skills, and good knowledge of other Microsoft Office programs

Strongly preferred

• Sound understanding of product development (e.g. drugs, vaccines, diagnostics) and R&D phases and processes
• Direct experience or in-depth knowledge of R&D as it relates to global health
• Knowledge of the global health policy/funder landscape
• Existing global health and/or global health R&D stakeholder and industry networks
• Direct line management experience

Location

PCR’s head office is based in Sydney, Australia, with colleagues across Australia, Europe and Africa. We will consider candidates from Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa. The successful candidate will be expected to work flexibly and attend some meetings outside traditional core working hours, accommodating international time zones.

How to apply

Please send your CV with a brief cover letter by an email via the button below.

Applications close 13^th March 2023.

We will not be acknowledging receipt of individual applications while the application period is open. You will be advised shortly after the conclusion of the application period if your application has resulted in an offer of interview; interviews will be conducted in late March/early April 2023.

Values and behaviours

All employees of Policy Cures Research are expected to adhere to and display the following five key values:

• Dependability – Dependability is a core element of trust, which is essential to collaborative growth. Following through on our commitments is essential to progressing projects, building a strong reputation and making time for non-project work.
• Enthusiasm – By drawing energy from our passion, curiosity, vitality and determination we will continue to learn and lead, strengthening the foundations of the organisation. As a small team, we all influence the atmosphere in which we work, and each of us are responsible for contributing to a positive team morale.
• Collaboration – Our work relies on the expertise, skills, and contribution of each PCR team member, and our individual strengths are magnified when we work together and share.
• Kindness – Every person in the team is a valued individual who deserves to be treated with kindness and empathy, and our collaborations will be enhanced by strong personal relationships
• Trusting others – A lack of trust damages our relationships with each other, stunts individual growth and limits what we can achieve as an organisation.

In addition, employees are expected to always act to deliver work that is consistent with the seven key organisational characteristics of Policy Cures Research:

Independent | Reliable | Rigorous | Knowledgeable | Insightful | Engaged | Vocal