Policy Advocacy Manager at Global Antibiotic R&D Partnership (GARDP)

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) is a not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization accelerating the development of new and improved treatments for drug-resistant infections. GARDP works with partners to ensure sustainable access to treatments, promoting responsible use and affordability to all in need.

Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), GARDP is essential to delivering on the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance.

GARDP’s mission is to bring together the public and private sectors to develop new treatments for bacterial infections. We ensure responsible and sustainable access, addressing the public health impact of antibiotic resistance

Overall Purpose:

The Policy Advocacy Manager is accountable for developing and implementing specific advocacy strategies, undertaking research and analysis, developing policy advocacy content and tools, providing matrix support to colleagues undertaking policy advocacy in different regions, and providing strategic administrative support to the Policy Lead and the Deputy Executive Director. The incumbent is responsible to support GARDP’s efforts to document lessons learned, engage stakeholders, develop champions, and promote policy actions to advance GARDP’s vision for antibiotic R&D and access.

Contribution

This role is accountable for managing specific projects such as regional initiatives, workshops, conferences, policy papers, or other outputs in close collaboration with other staff members or delivering quality output through expert services or people. This role adapts policies, approaches, and models to emerging needs.

Scope of Work (Results)

The services provided affect performance of systems, process or teams, including the approach to research and development and access championed by GARDP, the public health priorities of the organization, and the populations that GARDP seeks to serve.

Requirements

Tasks and Responsibilities (job specific to be completed by manager):

·       Conceptualize and organize key convenings undertaken by GARDP to discuss key priorities of the organization.

·       Undertake research and analysis −including policy landscape analyses, stakeholders mapping, lessons learned by GARDP, etc. − and develop policy advocacy content and tools including white papers and policy briefs.

·       Contribute to technical analyses of policies and practices impacting research, development and access to antibiotics, and propose/ prioritize specific actions where GARDP, and partners could be influential.

·       Coordinate specific advocacy activities engaging various stakeholders, including seeking out opportunities for GARDP to influence key policy discussions related to the organization’s priorities.

·       Representation of GARDP at AMR conferences and events.

·       Provide matrix support to colleagues undertaking policy advocacy activities in various regions with a particular focus on South Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Southern Africa.

·       Provide support to key members of the External Relations team related to either donors or other governments, institutions and companies playing a leading role in shaping the overall response to AMR. 

·       Collaborate with the Communications teams to develop and help disseminate policy positions through opinion pieces, blogs, and other means.

·       Contribute, through internal communications, to developing internal knowledge and the ability of colleagues to represent policy positions.

·       Provide project management support to the Deputy Executive Director.

Additional /specific/projects responsibilities:

·       Organize key internal policy advocacy discussions and provide summaries within the organization.

Reporting line

·       He/she reports to the Deputy Executive Director. 

·       Secondary reporting to the Head of Office (in India, Southern Africa, or Thailand/Malaysia) where the Policy Advocacy Manager is based.

·       Secondary reporting to the Director of External Relations 

Interactions

·       Works with External Relations team, Communications team, Regional Offices, and the Executive Office. 

·       Work extensively with external partners including civil society groups, thinktanks, government representatives, multilateral agencies’ experts, and policy leads in science, research, and public health institutions.

·       The position has a representational role through the promotion of programmes and maintain productive relationships by projecting the image of a credible partner.

Skills and Attributes:

·       Exceptional writing skills

·       Ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines

·       Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgment and problem-solving competencies

·       Very good communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments

·       Ability to work effectively as part of a multicultural team

·       Ability to work effectively with AI tools

·       Very good analytical skills

·       Ability to manage and contribute to the project delivery under minimum supervision

Experience

·       Minimum of 3 years’ experience with graduate degree, at least one year with post graduate degree

·       Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and matrix structure

·       Experience of working in international organizations and multicultural organizations is desirable

Education

·       Graduate or post graduate degree

Other Requirements

·       Fluency in English

·       Proficiency in other languages desirable

·       Good knowledge of Microsoft Suite

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) is a not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization that addresses global public health needs by developing and delivering new or improved antibiotic treatments, while endeavouring to ensure their sustainable access.

Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi) in May 2016, GARDP is an important element of WHO’s Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance that calls for new public-private partnerships to encourage R&D of new antimicrobial agents and diagnostics.

GARDP benefits from its unique parentage, drawing strength from both WHO’s mandate to drive the global response to antimicrobial resistance and set health priorities, and DNDi’s expertise in harnessing partnerships to build a pipeline for neglected diseases and deliver not-for-profit, needs-driven R&D.