Regional Head, South East Asia

The Global Research & Development Partnership (GARDP) is a not-for-profit global health organization driven to protect people from the rise and spread of drug-resistant infections, one of the biggest threats to us all. By forging the public and private partnerships that matter, we develop and make accessible antibiotic treatments for people who need them.

The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital is a leading institution specializing in medical and research and development. GARDP and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital have an established collaboration on clinical studies and now aim to:

·       Accelerate the development and access to treatments for drug-resistant infections in Southeast Asia, focusing on WHO-prioritized pathogens.

·       Address serious bacterial infection syndromes that contribute significantly to the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

·       Promote and foster a collaborative medical research and development (R&D) environment in Southeast Asia.

·       Enhance Southeast Asia’s potential as a leading hub for medical R&D in Asia through innovation and development.

Overall Purpose:

The primary objective of the Regional Head South-East Asia is to represent GARDP and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital in the region, and develop and implement GARDP regional access and delivery strategies for the Southeast Asia.

This person will work with GARDP and Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital staff across different functional teams and across offices to ensure that the project objectives are developed and met in a timely fashion and within budget. The position will also support communication and coordination with a number of external partners and actors.

While the Regional Head South-East Asia will support regional access planning and implementation across all GARDP portfolio products, as well as managing the contractual and operational relationship with GARDP's local commercial partners, there will be a particular focus on the GARDP sexually transmitted infections (STI) portfolio for the first several years.

GARDP is working alongside partners to improve access and delivery to new treatments for STIs by enabling sustainable and affordable quality-assured product supply, working with national actors to plan and support responsible introduction and roll out, building evidence for optimal use, especially in low- and middle-income country contexts, and ensuring delivery with the support of commercial partner(s).

Contribution

The Regional Head South-East Asia  will manage GARDP’s overall activities and in particular access and BD activities in Southeast Asia. The position offers the opportunity to build a presence of GARDP in the region, expand GARDPs overall collaboration with countries and key partners, including the private sector, with a focus on the access programme, and manage managing the alliance with GARDP local/regional commercial partner(s) in the region.

Requirements

Tasks and Responsibilities:

-     Represent GARDP in the region and build a presence in Thailand working closely with GARDP Partners (Mahidol University, namely the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital and the Siriraj Institute of Clinical Research (SICRES) and the DNDi Office in South-East Asia

- Lead the alliance with GARDP's local commercial partner (in the countries covered by this alliance regarding the GARDP STI programme):

• Supply Chain Strategy Development: Demand Forecasting, risk management,

• Alliance Management: Building Strategic Partnership with the partner, support the partner in launch plan preparation & implementation of pre-launch activities (regulatory, promotion, ..)
• o    Commercial Operations regarding the product within the GARDP STI programme: market intelligence activity, analyzing market trends and competitors activity,
• Performance Metrics and Reporting regarding this alliance: setting and monitoring key performance indicators to track the performance of alliance outcomes, prepare and present reports on the partner’s performance, highlighting key metrics and areas for improvement

- Manage regional market intelligence activities regarding GARDP portfolio

• Assess regional business dynamics, key “business” insights and the competitive market landscape relevant to all GARDP programs/products (pricing, business strategy, …),

•  Map the landscape of /regional/local distributor players and create a network of potential distributor players;
•  Represent GARDP at regional conferences / events for identification of new partners
• Stay updated on market & public health policy matters impacting GARDP programs/products in the region.

- Lead the national and regional implementation of access activities for all GARDP portfolio projects, with an initial focus on STIs

• Translating the global access strategy of zoliflodacin (and other GARDP portfolio assets subsequently) into  national and when relevant regional access plans, in coordination with the relevant GARDP network stakeholders, including partnering for diagnostic strategies, stewardship, and phased introduction of product

• Define product introduction strategy for zoliflodacin from a health system perspective
• Engage with key external stakeholders, including patient advocacy groups, and ministry of health to build support for product access
• Liaising with relevant partners to support implementation strategies, and development of trainings
• Developing and coordinating demonstration projects for product introduction from a health system perspective Coordinate with the Head, Regulatory to support developing a regional regulatory strategy and, where appropriate, develop relationships with and liaise with national regulatory authorities in the region

- Lead specific dimensions of the access activities including: 

• Develop and utilize key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of access strategies

• Support development of relevant MOUs and other partner contracts
• Mapping and maintaining relationships with key access stakeholders at national, and regional level, in both the public and private sector health system 
• Documenting and disseminating best practices and challenges in providing access to GARDP portfolio antibiotics regionally
• Manage access implementation partners across the region for GARDP’s portfolio products
• Represent GARDP at relevant public heath conferences and meetings

Reporting line

·       The Regional Head, South East Asia reports to the Deputy Executive Director of GARDP and the Deputy Dean of Research, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. This role works closely with the Director of Global Access, the  GARDP Business Development Director and the delegated management team of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital.

  Interactions

·       The incumbent will also develop strong relationships with the GARDP Product Delivery Head. As well as the DNDi Southeast Asia office and the GARDP Medical team and specifically with the Head, Regulatory Affairs

Job Requirements

Skills and Attributes

• High ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines
• Very clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates strong judgment and problem solving competencies
• Excellent communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environments
• Excellent communication, and public speaking skills, ability to convince and represent GARDP at high level events
• Knowledge of managing global multicultural teams
• Very strong strategic thinking and leadership abilities
• Excellent management, negotiation, and advocacy skills
• High ability to exercise high degree of independence to ensure program delivery and explore new areas of activities
• High ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills, reliable and self-motivated with the ability to work independently
• Motivated, and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to clearly communicate and work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
• Integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed with demonstrated passion for GARDP’s  mission and commitment to working collaboratively with a management team
• An individual who is able to handle a variety of constituencies, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities

 R& D Technical Skills - GARDP Leadership Competencies

• Orientation to developing others

• Strategic expertise
• Professional competence
• Relationship care
• Leading by example
• Contextual skillfulness

Experience

· At least 12 years of professional experience, preferably in global health and the pharmaceutical industry.

· Fluent in English with strong writing skills; proficiency in Thai is preferred.

 Education

·       Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in health science, development, international relations or business relations strongly preferred

 Other Requirements

·        Unwavering commitment to quality programs and excellence in organizational and project management with the ability to achieve strategic objectives

·       Experience of pharmaceutical product launch and commercial market access issues from public to private markets in the SEA region

·       Experience contributing to the design and/or implementation of complex health intervention projects

·       Experience in working with NGOs or government preferred