Senior Policy Manager

Purpose of the role

CEPI’s 2022-2026 Strategy (CEPI 2.0) and the related programme document articulates the strategic objectives of “Prepare, Transform and Connect” and outlines CEPIs ambitious programme that aim to substantially reduce global epidemic and pandemic threats. The ecosystem for pandemic preparedness and response is rapidly evolving, and subject to high-level political discussions on global, regional and national level. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the critical need for fully funded, prepositioned and coordinated financing mechanisms to ensure appropriate preparedness for and response to future potential pandemic threats. CEPI aims to help drive the political commitment to secure sustainable and sufficient end-to-end funding for R&D both in interpandemic periods and during outbreak response, including surge funding for R&D, manufacturing ‘at-risk’ and advanced purchase commitments (APAs), to incentivize R&D and manufacturing, and facilitate equitable access. A key initial focus of the Policy manager will be to lead on CEPIs positioning towards ongoing discussions at both the global level (G20, G7, WB), regional (EC, AU) and national levels about the future financing mechanisms and their interrelations discussions on financing and developing a corresponding financing strategy in close cross-cutting collaboration, in particular with the Strategy team and the Resource Mobilization/Investor Relations team.


Responsibilities 

• Support CEPIs external policy work in a flexible manner as required given the rapidly evolving ecosystem
• Monitor, systematically collect and analyse information about identified external policy drivers with a view to developing policy advice for CEPI.
• Develop and continuously evolve CEPI positions in key pandemic preparedness and response ecosystem areas, including R&D, financing, low and middle income country challenges and equitable access.
• Project manage cross-cutting teams in the development of evidence-based policy positions that CEPI may advocate for externally
• Serve as CEPI as a subject matter expert on health policy and advocacy.
• Carry relationship management role versus key identified strategic partnerships, securing cross-cutting alignment and approach
• The ability to offer policy advice on financing mechanisms incl. ODA (Official Development Assistance), Innovative Financial Instruments and Development Finance in the context of the global health ecosystem is an advantage although not an essential requirement for this role.
• Other responsibilities that the candidate may be called on to undertake in accordance with the role of Policy Manager
   

Core competencies 

• Self-starter with strong planning and project management skills, and with a flexible, positive, pro-active attitude.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to deliver high quality work within tight deadlines
• A track record of resilience, sound judgment and decisiveness in pressured circumstances.
• Ability to analyse and offer policy recommendations on complex, multi-facetted issues in the global health environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and partners from a wide range of disciplines, backgrounds, and cultures.  Experience working in a matrix organisational or team structure is  a strong plus
• Demonstrated experience working with financial mechanisms, incl. innovative financial instruments. is advantageous

Educational Requirements 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant discipline (life sciences, public health, public policy, international affairs, economics, business administration or another relevant subject)
• Demonstrated (5 + years) of relevant professional experience (e.g. global health, strategy, biotech R&D), including experience of working with global health organisations/architecture