Call for Applications - Policy Consultant

Call for Applications – Policy Consultant

Location: Mumbai or New Delhi – India

Contract duration: 12 months, from January to December 2023

Contract: independent contractor

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. To date, MPP has signed agreements with ten patent holders for thirteen HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals and a tuberculosis treatment. MPP was founded by Unitaid, which continues to be MPP’s main funder. MPP’s work on access to essential medicines is also funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

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

1. Position Overview/Context

MPP aims to strengthen its engagement with multiple stakeholders in the Asian region, and to enhance its representation at national, regional and global policy initiatives, mechanisms, and events taking place in India and other countries Asia during 2023. In this context, we are hiring a Policy consultant to be based in India, either at our office in Mumbai, or in New Delhi. Working closely with MPP’s Geneva-based Policy & Advocacy team under the leadership of the Head of Policy, Strategy and Market Access, the consultant will support MPP’s policy and advocacy work, including the continued effective engagement of external stakeholders, including community, civil society, governmental, inter-governmental, and public health organisations in the Asian region.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

Undertake a mapping of key stakeholders in India and other strategic countries in the Asian region, including in governments, UN organisations, regional organisations, civil society, community groups and procurement agencies that could be important partners for the implementation of MPP’s strategy across all the relevant disease areas in the region
Work with the Policy and Advocacy team to establish contact with such stakeholders and explore opportunities for collaboration with MPP to facilitate access and uptake of HIV, TB, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, NCD and other essential medicines and prevention tools in the region
Identify opportunities for MPP to participate in key national/regional events and policy processes taking place in the region
Suggest opportunities to strengthen MPP’s relationship with governments and other key stakeholders
Develop updates for stakeholders on products being developed by MPP licensees that will soon become available for LMICs in the region and on products prioritised by MPP for which voluntary licensing could contribute to affordable access
Identify key priority products for MPP to consider working on based on input from stakeholders in the region
Review the priorities of India’s G20 presidency for 2023, and support MPP’s engagement with the Government of India as well as other governments and key stakeholders active in G20 discussions

Deliverables

Draft a stakeholder engagement strategy
Prepare materials for MPP engagement in key events and policy processes and draft reports on such events/processes
Assemble other reports relating to stakeholder engagement

2. Knowledge/Professional Experience

The Policy consultant must have:

Knowledge of access to medicines and public health issues in low- and middle-income countries
Excellent understanding of intellectual property rights and their interface with public health, innovation, and access to medicines
Excellent advocacy and communication skills
The ability to autonomously organize own work and plan deliverables
The ability to synthesize information
Excellent people skills
Stakeholders’ engagement experience
Experience in public speaking

Desirable

Experience working with governments and/or familiarity with policy processes (in particular with the governments of India and other countries of the Asian region).

3. Professional background

A minimum of 7 years of practicing advocacy / policy work on issues relating to access to medicines, preferably with a focus in the Asian region.

4. Education and Special Training

University degree in a relevant field.

5. Use of Languages

High proficiency in spoken and written English essential.
Knowledge of other Asian languages would be an asset.

MPP respects all individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, HIV status or disability. All qualified applications are welcome.

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 “Policy Consultant” as reference in the subject line. Candidates will be assessed on a rolling basis.