Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly experienced professional to enhance sustainability-related elements of the WHO mRNA technology transfer programme. This role involves collaborating with program manufacturing partners, evaluating future production capacity, and considering national and regional market opportunities for candidate mRNA vaccines and other potential biologics revenue streams.
Main Responsibilities:
Deliverable 1 - Program Manufacturing Partner's Feasibility Report
* Evaluate the feasibility of program manufacturing partners to enhance sustainability-related elements of the WHO mRNA technology transfer programme.
* Collaborate with individual program manufacturing partners (where applicable) and consider the outputs of the 2024 gaps and needs assessments related to the establishment and maintenance of mRNA capacity.
* Prepare at least 2 program manufacturing partner's feasibility reports through such assessments to be shared with WHO per year.
Deliverable 2 – Stakeholder Engagement Reports
* Produce a comprehensive report that supports the WHO mRNA Technology Transfer (TT) programme's policy and sustainability efforts.
* Provide inputs on business models, partner strategies, and other sustainability elements via studies, draft articles, etc.
* Summarize engagements with key entities working on local production and vaccine sustainability, ensuring alignment with the mRNA programme.
* Detail stakeholder engagements from participation in relevant meetings and key strategic initiatives in major Low and Middle Income Country (LMIC) regions leading regional vaccine and biologics manufacturing initiatives.
* Offer evidence-based recommendations to support WHO's decisions on developing sustainable business models for mRNA TT programme partners.
Deliverable 3 – Licensing Acquisition and Sub-Licensing Opinion Papers and Reports
* Contribute to the WHO Health Technology Access Pool (HTAP) expansion by engaging with prospective technology providers to evaluate opportunities for license acquisition and know-how transfer.
* Review opportunities including scientific, development, and commercial viability considerations, strategic value, and pandemic preparedness aspects.
* Offer guidance on challenges and opportunities concerning HTAP activities and strategy.
* Summarize the outputs of such activities regularly in reports to WHO.
Qualifications, Experience, Skills, and Languages:
Education:
* Masters degree or higher in public health, life sciences, or related field.
Desirable Qualifications:
* PhD degree in medical science (pharmacy, microbiology, biochemistry, etc).
Experience:
* Over 10 years of relevant experience in developing national or regional plans for local production of medical products, biotech industry (vaccines and other biologic products, and venture capital for biomanufacturing).
* Demonstrated experience in developing plans for production of vaccines in Africa.
* Demonstrated experience and technical command of pharmaceutical and vaccines production, including from a country-level perspective in LMICs.
* Direct experience of investing in the healthcare sector, preferably within the biopharma/vaccines area, ideally gained through work within internationally-recognised investment institutions.
* Substantial experience working in, or in collaboration with, intergovernmental organizations.
* Substantial experience working with manufacturers and investors in LMICs and evaluation of business/investment plans.
* Substantial experience evaluating biotechnology-related investment opportunities and technologies including scientific, technical and clinical due diligence, from either the venture capital/private equity or biopharmaceutical industry in-licensing perspective.
Skills:
* Expert technical knowledge in the interface between industrial policy and public health.
* Excellent technical knowledge of market shaping opportunities.
* Technical knowledge in the manufacturing and approval of vaccines and biologicals.
* Due diligence of life science companies and/or technologies.
* Excellent technical writing and communication skills.
* Ability to work in a multicultural team and maintain effective working relationships with recognised experts and stakeholders.
* Excellent planning and organisational skills with attention to detail and with the ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
* Strong IT skills: Word, Excel, presentation software, databases and web navigators.
Languages:
* Expert knowledge of English.
* Intermediate knowledge of another WHO language.
Location:
* Off site: Home-based.
Travel:
* The consultant is expected to travel.
Remuneration:
* Band level C - USD 10,000 - 12,500 per month.
Expected Duration of Contract:
* 11 months. Additional contracts may be offered depending on programme needs and availability of funds.