Senior Access Manager

The Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP) is a not-for-profit research and development (R&D) organization accelerating the development of new and improved treatments for drug-resistant infections. GARDP works with partners to ensure sustainable access to treatments, promoting responsible use and affordability to all in need.

Created by the WHO and DNDi, GARDP mobilizes partners to develop new and improved antibiotics. In partnership with governments, the private sector, academia and civil society, we are embracing innovative solutions to antibiotic resistance. We strive to mutualize our work and resources and identify for strategic opportunities and impactful partnerships in the realm of infectious diseases. 

GARDP’s mission is to bring together the public and private sectors to develop new treatments for bacterial infections. We ensure responsible and sustainable access, addressing the public health impact of antibiotic resistance.

GARDP is working to support introduction and access to cefiderocol, an antibiotic treatment used for certain serious bacterial infections encountered in hospital settings. Cefiderocol is approved at stringent regulatory authorities, such as the US FDA and EMA and is on the WHO Essential Medicines List, but is not yet available in any low or middle income country, where the burden of these types of infections is highest. Now, in collaboration with the Kenya Ministry of Health and the originator company, Shionogi, GARDP is looking to support introduction of cefiderocol into a limited number of health facilities in Kenya to both improve access and develop and monitor a program to effectively and appropriately support introduction of this antibiotic into the Kenyan context.

Requirements

Overall Purpose:

The primary objective of the Sr Access Manager, East Africa is to coordinate the cefiderocol introduction project in Kenya. This includes developing relationships with relevant stakeholders and project partners, developing and supporting the implementation of training and supportive mentorship packages to ensure the appropriate use of cefiderocol, coordinating the development of clinical guidance for its real-world use, and coordinating implementation of science studies related to its introduction. In addition, this role will maintain the projects on implementer’s networks in Kenya, Ethiopia and other nearby countries, and manage related access activities in East Africa.

The Sr Access Manager, East Africa will report to the Access Lead: Sub-Saharan Africa, and will work with staff within the GARDP network and across different functional teams to ensure that the project objectives are met in a timely fashion and within budget. The Sr Access Manager, East Africa will support engagement and coordination with a number of external East African partners and actors.

Strong communication skills, the ability to work well with multiple and matrix teams, and the ability to manage competing priorities and ambiguity will be key qualifications for this role. This individual will also be responsible for coordinating multiple operational and programmatic components. S/he will have experience supporting complex public health projects, as well as the ability to translate lessons from country implementation to a regional or continental context.

Within the serious bacterial infections portfolio, GARDP is working, alongside partners to improve access to cefiderocol, an important antibiotic for antibiotic resistant infections that is approved by the USFDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA), by enabling sustainable and affordable quality product supply, working with national actors to plan and support responsible introduction and roll out, and build evidence for optimal use, especially in low- and middle-income country contexts.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

·       Lead projects on access activities for all East Africa GARDP serious bacterial infection (SBI) projects, with an initial focus on cefiderocol in Kenya.

·       Coordinate the Kenya cefiderocol introduction project

o   Coordinating with MOH on guidance and training development for the introduction and use of cefiderocol.

o   Coordinating with sites on quantification, introduction timelines, managing monitoring and evaluation, training etc.

o   Ensuring cefiderocol importation and distribution runs smoothly

o   Coordinating the introduction pathway to ensure appropriate access by patients.

o   Supporting, with partners, the stewardship of cefiderocol, and its roll-out.

o   Reporting on progress, challenges, opportunities etc. throughout the project.

o   Documenting the introduction pathway for cefiderocol in Kenya.

·       Lead specific dimensions of the access activities including: 

o   Translating the global access strategy of cefiderocol and other serious bacterial infection assets into  national access plans, in coordination with the relevant GARDP network stakeholder, including forecasting, partnering for diagnostic strategies, stewardship, and phased introduction of product

o   Mapping and maintaining relationships with key access stakeholders at national level, in both the public and private sectors healthcare providers in close coordination with the GARDP Foundation

o   Liaise with relevant partners to support implementation strategies, and development of trainings

o   Develop and coordinate demonstration projects for product introduction

o   Document and disseminate best practices and challenges in providing access to antibiotics for serious bacterial infections in East Africa

o   Manage access implementation partners in East Africa

·       Adapt project plans, Gantt charts to the national context

·       Provide regular updates on progress, challenges, deliverables to cefiderocol

·       Support monitoring of implementation, timelines, milestones and deliverables

o   Coordinate and develop supporting materials for regular project meetings, including quarterly project reviews

·       Support project communications

o   Support development of internal and external reports

o   Maintain a calendar of significant national events and conferences relevant;

o   Attend and produce summary notes for select and relevant national meetings and conferences

·       Support DNDi on Viral diseases with focus on Dengue

o   To develop and implement a strategic plan overseeing dengue treatments implementation according to diverse use-case scenarios.

o   To oversee and supervise alongside the dengue programme management, demand forecasting to anticipate dengue treatment needs considering the profiles of different treatments and geographies.

o   Participate of the Access Working Group of the Dengue Alliance and interact with different partners to access the diverse dengue treatment provision scenarios.

o   Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the access plan and make necessary adjustments.

o   Prepare reports and presentations for stakeholders on progress and outcomes.

Required Qualifications

The Sr Access Coordinator,  East Africa will be thoroughly committed to GARDP’s strategy and mission.

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

·       At least 6 years professional experience, experience working on global health preferred

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

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

·       Experience in working with NGOs or governments in Africa, specifically in Kenya

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

·       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

·       Fluent in English with excellent English writing skills. An additional language spoken in East Africa would be an advantage

·       An individual who is able to handle a variety of constituencies, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities