Deputy Head, International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat
Job Description
Job title: Deputy Head, International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat
Company: Wellcome Trust
Job description: Salary: £69,320
Closing date: Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Contract type: Fixed term contract (End date: May.25)
The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships.
We plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.
These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won’t be solved by science alone.
Within the area of infectious disease Wellcome supports projects that increase our understanding of the sources of infectious disease and the factors that drive disease escalation. Through global cooperation, local leadership, and work with affected communities, Wellcome aims to develop accessible and affordable solutions to control the impact of infections.
The first 100 days when faced with a pandemic or epidemic threat are crucial to changing its course.
As shown during the response to Covid-19, the faster we can develop safe, effective and affordable vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for an escalating infectious disease, the more lives we can save.
That’s the goal of the 100 Days Mission, which was agreed following a report to G7 Leaders in June 2021. The report proposes that in the first 100 days from a pandemic threat being identified, the following interventions should be available, safe, effective and affordable:
accurate and approved rapid point of care diagnostic tests
an initial regimen of therapeutics
vaccines ready to be produced at scale for global deployment.
To deliver on these ambitions, G7 chief scientific advisers called for the establishment of an independent International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat to maintain progress towards the 100 Days Mission.
Wellcome is supporting the implementation of the 100 Days Mission through the establishment of the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat.
We are looking for a Deputy Head to join the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS), to support the leadership of IPPS and the development and delivery of the secretariat’s workplan in order to accelerate implementation of the 100 day mission. You would be joining at a critical juncture, 18 months into a 4-year mandate (Oct ‘22 – Oct ‘26), as the secretariat is about to undertake a mid-point review and refocus its objectives to make maximum impact in the second half of its mandate.
Where in Wellcome will I be working?
You will be leading the strategic engagement sub team within IPPS reporting to the Head of IPPS.
IPPS is hosted within the Strategy Team at Wellcome and while an independent secretariat (see ippsecretariat.org), you will work particularly closely with the Infectious Disease leads within Policy, Government Relations and Research Programmes.
The IPPS was established in late 2022 as an independent secretariat to support implementation of. The 100 Days Mission (100DM), to ensure we are better prepared with vaccines, treatments and tests ahead of any future pandemic or epidemic. The work of IPPS complements the objectives of Wellcome’s Infectious Disease strategy and as such you will work closely with Wellcome teams as the host organisation of IPPS.
What will I be doing?
As the Deputy Head of IPPS you have a key role in setting culture and setting direction for the team working in close partnership with the Head of the Secretariat.
You will work with the Head of Secretariat to devise and oversee delivery of an ambitious workplan to meet the secretariat’s objectives by end of 2026 to ensure continued momentum around the implementation of the 100DM by:
Facilitating join up between governments, private sector and global health actors, working with WHO as a key partner. This will be done by facilitating multidisciplinary discussions to unblock progress on challenging areas with rigorous scientific input from the 100DM Science and Technology Expert Group.
Producing independent annual reports noting progress made across the original recommendations of the 100 DM, especially commitments being implemented by industry and non-governmental actors which are not covered by existing accountability frameworks.
Providing scientific advice to future G7 and G20 presidencies (when requested) and partner organisations including suggestions for concrete actions, next steps, and best practice examples to further the global community’s readiness for future pandemics.
Leading the strategic engagement sub team, with responsibility for leading on strategic partnerships, communications, multilateral engagement and event planning to support implementation of the 100DM.
Working with the secretariat’s supporting organisations to identify resource needs for the next three years of the workplan, including budget and staffing. Representing the secretariat externally on issues where the postholder has lead responsibility, including giving speeches, participating in panel discussions, as required and Deputising for the Head of Secretariat as appropriate in team leadership and at external meetings and speaking events when required.
Contribute to the creation and development of a supportive, diverse and inclusive culture across the secretariat and wider stakeholder community.
Is this job for me?
The IPPS is a small team (c. 7 people) albeit with a vast range of stakeholders and complex set of scientific and policy issues to move forward, as such, partnership is critical to all we do. IPPS exists to support, convene and advocate for existing actors with critical potential to make the 100DM achievable. We are looking for a highly motivated deputy head who believes in the vision of the 100DM and is willing to work with both passion and humility to ensure the world is equipped with the tools it needs to bring future epidemics under control.
We are looking for someone who has an:
Understanding of the global health landscape, significant experience working with multilateral institutions and industry partners.
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills – identifying and building the trust of priority stakeholders, internally and externally.
People management and team building skills – ability to develop and motivate people to deliver objectives.
Significant and demonstrable experience of delivering high quality policy and advocacy projects, including analysis and products, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Experience of delivering policy advice to decision makers, including government officials, in complex environments with well-developed presentation skills – including ability to deliver presentations to large and/ or senior-level audiences.
Experience of leading and managing projects, including delivering through others and strategic planning and prioritisation skills – identifying the work and tools required to deliver objectives.
To apply please upload your current CV and complete our short application
Interview dates: 6th ,7th and 9th of February 2024
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Our Hybrid Way of Working
We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best. We are currently working 2 days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from our Euston Road offices (as part of our hybrid Ways of Working) with the remaining 3 days from home.
Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do
. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. Please visit our for more information on adjustments and accessibility, or contact us at .
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Expected salary: £69320 per year
Location: London
Job date: Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:31:07 GMT
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