Call for Applications – Access Officer
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Working time: 100%
Contract: permanent
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 (LMICs). 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. MPP’s mandate covers patented medicines for infectious diseases – HIV, TB, hepatitis C and also non-communicable diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, in addition to COVID-19 treatments and technologies.
MPP operates as a non-profit voluntary licensing mechanism through partnerships with originator pharmaceutical companies and generic manufacturers that facilitate access and promote innovation. The terms and conditions in MPP licences seek to improve treatment options for the broadest number of people living in LMICs and are negotiated on a case-by-case basis with each patent holder.
For further information regarding our work, please visit our website
1. The Role
The Access Officer will work under the supervision of the Access Manager (NCDs) as part of the MPP Policy, Advocacy, Market Access and Strategy team. The role will contribute to identifying relevant candidates for MPP prioritization process and to develop a market access strategy for medicines prioritized for in-licensing. The role requires a mix of analytical skills, with an understanding of health systems in low- and middle-income countries, and the capacity to identify and engage with relevant stakeholders.
2. Main Duties/Responsibilities
- Provide input to the data collection and analysis undertaken as part of MPP’s prioritization framework to identify candidates for in-licensing by MPP, with a specific focus on product specific health systems requirement (e.g., availability of diagnostics or companion treatments), market and affordability assessments.
- Support the development of product-specific business cases, through desk research and, where possible, primary data collection and analysis for example about availability of affordability of products;
- Strengthen MPP’s interactions with national government representatives in key countries and with other key national/regional/global stakeholders in the disease areas prioritized by MPP;
- Assist with the development and the execution of an engagement strategy aimed at expanding MPP collaborations with organizations/agencies with expertise in demand generation and/or health financing activities.
- Facilitate the engagement with MPP’s Community Advisory Panel and with other community/patient groups
- Contribute to the development of product specific access plans to support the uptake of MPP in-licensed products;
- Spearhead the mapping and engagement of key procurement agencies and organizations;
- Contribute to the development and implementation of budget impact and cost-effectiveness assessment for MPP prioritized products and other quantitative evidence that can support the case for the uptake of in-licensed products at national level;
3. Requirements
Education and training
- University degree in public health, social sciences, health systems, public policy, health economics, finance, business administration or related subjects;
- Additional training in market access or health systems analysis will be a plus
Knowledge and experience
- 3-5 years of work experience in the fields of international development, healthcare, global health, with a specific focus on market access, demand generation and market shaping activities.
- A proven track record in the development of quantitative and qualitative analyses for decision-making and/or financial modelling in the field of health (e.g. cost-effectiveness analysis).
- Experience in working and/or living in low- and middle-income countries, including in Africa, Latin America, or South Asia would be an asset.
- Experience in working in the field of non-communicable diseases (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases) and/or reproductive maternal and child health would be an asset.
- Experience working independently and across cross-functional teams.
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of market assessment and health economic analysis.
- Ability to research and synthesize large quantities of information quickly to aid to MPP process and identify new opportunity.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to write in a clear and concise manner, including for technical documents and reports
Use of Languages:
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- Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Working knowledge of other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) would be an asset.
4. Personal Qualities
MPP’s richness lies in its staff: a small dynamic and multicultural team. To flourish in our team, you must recognise yourself in our values: Respect, Courage, Generosity and Commitment.
Moreover, you will need to demonstrate the following qualities:
- Personal interest in and commitment to the public health objectives of the MPP.
- Ability to organise own work and deliver against agreed standards with little supervision
- Creativity and capability to think out of the box
- Sensitivity to different cultures and ways of working.
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 “Access Officer” as reference in the subject line by 20 November 2023.