Vaccines Analyst, Office of the COVAX Facility (Temporary) At GAVI Alliance

The COVAX Facility (“COVAX”) provides a global solution to the equitable distribution of vaccines to the 190 participating countries and economies. The COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) is an innovative financing instrument that supports the participation of the 92 low and lower-middle income economies in COVAX. Self-financing participants (SFPs) have entered COVAX either as Optional (having the possibility to opt-out of a particular vaccine) or Committed Purchasers. Guided by the WHO fair allocation framework, COVAX will equitably distribute doses to help protect the most at-risk groups. Gavi is working with Alliance partners UNICEF and WHO to ensure that the infrastructure is in place, and the technical support available, for COVID-19 vaccines to be safely delivered to all those who need them.

BACKGROUND

The COVAX Facility established the Independent Product Group to provide independent technical advice on the prioritisation and inclusion of suitable vaccines and the status of the COVAX portfolio of vaccine candidates, based on information related to clinical development, manufacturing and supply. The IPG includes independent scientists with varied expertise and is supported by a small Secretariat based in the Office of the COVAX Facility Design & Operationalisation Team and working closely with colleagues in the COVAX Vaccine Transactions team and at CEPI, WHO and UNICEF.

The Vaccines Analyst will lead the preparation for and support coordination of the COVAX IPG meetings; closely monitor the COVID-19 vaccine R&D landscape, emerging science and priority technical areas; and act as an internal focal point on relevant topics with implications for the work of the Office of the COVAX Facility.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the preparation for and support coordination of the COVAX Independent Product Group (IPG) including drafting summary documents, presentations, and reports;
• Work with colleagues across the COVAX Vaccines Pillar and particularly within the Office of the COVAX Facility to support effective decision-making on vaccine candidates and portfolio analysis;
• Closely monitor the evolving COVID-19 vaccine R&D landscape and broader scientific context and work with internal stakeholders to understand the broader context and consider any policy, strategic, programmatic, and technical implications for the work of the COVAX Facility;
• Liaise with partners to collate and synthesise internal-facing analysis on relevant scientific and technical topics and as needed, develop materials related to Covid-19 vaccine pipeline and portfolio for use by colleagues across the Office of the COVAX Facility.

Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities; other duties may be assigned consistently with the department needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

ACADEMIC

• Advanced degree in epidemiology/public health or biomedical sciences. PhD in a science field will be advantageous.**WORK EXPERIENCE**
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in global public health, epidemiology, or infectious diseases, with a focus on vaccine R&D, vaccinology or immunology (advantage);
• Previous experience in public health research and/or industry and/or in public health agency/NGO/ regulatory (scientific background);
• Understanding of research & development and policy implications in late-stage vaccine clinical trials (highly advantageous);
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and link scientific content and policy implications;
• Track record of drafting high quality reports, presentations and summaries on scientific topics (e.g. vaccine development and policy) for both technical and non-technical audiences;
• Experienced in drafting minutes and reports (any experience providing technical and secretariat support to a scientific committee/ working group would be advantageous).**SKILLS/COMPETENCIES**
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to communicate technical ideas and vaccine science/policy to both scientific and non-scientific audience’s desirable;
• Good quantitative skills and proficiency in data analysis and synthesis;
• Structured and analytical with a demonstrated ability to analyse and synthesise information, think strategically and see connections across different workstreams and topic areas;
• Familiarity with the global health environment and actors;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organisation;
• Ability to be tactful and apply discretion;
• Flexible and adaptable, takes a proactive approach to work;
• Ability to work independently and iteratively, anticipate and respond to ambiguity, challenges, and information gaps, and effectively prioritise and execute tasks in a dynamic environment.

LANGUAGES

• Written and spoken fluency in English;
• Other languages (particularly French) advantageous.**CONTACTS**
• Office of the COVAX Facility Vaccine Transaction and Country Engagement Teams;
• COVAX Independent Product Group;
• Core COVAX partners such as CEPI, WHO and UNICEF.