E-DRUG: MSF Access Campaign Job Vacancy: Diagnostics Advisor
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Terms of Reference - Diagnostics Advisor
Background
The Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines is an international MSF
project launched in 1999. The Access Campaign challenges, through its
expertise in problem analysis, position development, public advocacy and
campaigning, various external medical-political actors. These activities
aim to improve access and stimulate development of adapted medical tools
(medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other health technologies) that have
or could have major impact on morbidity and mortality in contexts where MSF
works. Since mid 2002, the Campaign has integrated access to laboratory
tools as part of its regular activities.
The Campaign is now looking for a Diagnostics Advisor with field experience
in infectious diseases to develop and implement a strategy to access
diagnostic tools needed for TB, HIV, and potentially other health problems
within the context of the Access campaigns objectives and MSF operations
internationally.
The Diagnostics Advisor of the MSF Campaign for Access to Essential
Medicines.
The Diagnostics Advisor will provide a specific support to the medical and
policy teams in the achievement of the Campaign's objectives. S/he is part
of a multidisciplinary team composed of medical doctors, pharmacists,
lawyers, biologist, and communication officers. To fulfil her/his mission,
the Diagnostics Advisor will have to enlarge the existing network of
external experts particularly in the realm of TB, HIV and malaria and
potentially other fields linked to all aspects of in vitro diagnostics
(IVDs).
S/he will be responsible for:
· Identification of the current diagnosis gaps the existing IVDs leave
behind for TB & HIV and to a lesser extent malaria.
o Engaging internally within the MSF movement with medical and
operational networks.
o Engaging externally in the IVD environment, including main
actors in the commercial sector as well as other main actors
linked with R&D, funding, policy and field implementation.
o Describing IVD R&D environment and helping analyse the gaps in
the R&D process which act as bottlenecks in some areas for the
full development of tests towards the identified needs.
o Identify within the IVD environment, possible causes leading to
poor access.
· Identification and definition, based on the most recent scientific
knowledge and the specific R&D diagnostic environment, of the
potential R&D solution pathways that could address the identified
gaps left behind by current diagnostic tools.
o Explore feasibility of new tools for resource-limited settings
in particular point-of-care (POC) tools.
o Building alliances with selected partners to expedite promising
tools in the pipeline and focus new test development on needs
of resource-limited settings.
o Follow-up IVD market dynamics and R&D funding trends towards
IVDs.
o Work with partners to develop and implement concrete solutions
to foster the development of new diagnostic tools.
o Maintaining strategic contacts and information exchange with
companies to assist them in defining field needs.
· Develop together with policy and management teams and through network
knowledge, the advocacy messages able to generate increased attention
to potential R&D solution pathways and access to diagnostics.
o Engage diverse network of commercial test developers,
academics, and civil society, amongst others.
o Advise the policy and management team on possible alternative
mechanisms to increase access.
o Contribute in the design and preparation of advocacy events
such as thematic meetings with focus on diagnostics, both
during international conferences and closed expert meetings.
· Follow-up and participate in international policy developments on
quality assurance (QA) of IVDs.
o Building alliances with selected partners to expedite the
development of better QA standards for IVDs.
o Contribute whenever possible, to technical advisory group
meetings on influencing QA procurement policies for IVDs, such
as meetings from the WHO diagnostics pre-qualification
programme, the GFATM QA procurement department.
o Specifically, support the Access Campaign and LWG in
influencing the work and functioning of international platforms
such as the STOP TB Partnership working groups (New Diagnostics
WG and its POC sub-group), as well as other various laboratory
strengthening initiatives.
· Participating in the MSF Diagnostic Network, as a member of the
laboratory working group (LWG), through regular discussions and
formal presence to all LWG meetings.
o Specifically liaise with the disease-specific working groups
and participate to their meetings upon request by the WG
leader.
o Support the MSF diagnostic network, as the referent for
pipeline diagnostic tools, in identifying new innovations with
high potential to results in improved diagnostic; incl.
identifying prices and other access barriers formulating
solutions whenever possible, and translating these into action
plans to be carried out.
· The Diagnostics Advisor is accountable to the Medical Coordinator of
the MSF Access Campaign. S/he is also expected to work in close
collaboration with the MSF-International Diagnostic Network Leader.
Qualifications and Work experience
Core competencies:
Ø Strong technical background and experience in managing laboratory
programmes, in developing countries and at least related to TB or
HIV, with a good understanding of the infrastructure related to the
various levels in healthcare structures.
Ø Strong abilities in written technical and policy-oriented documents.
Ø Residential or significant field experience in a developing country
context, particular African contexts is essential.
Ø General understanding of the IVD market sector and main actors
involved.
Ø Ph.D or M.Sc. in Infectious Diseases or similar field.
Ø Project leadership, strategic thinking and planning ability are
strong pre-requisites.
Ø Confident public speaker
Ø Demonstrable technical leadership in a diverse and highly changing
environment of actors.
Ø Flexibility and creativity in overcoming internal and external
barriers; Excellent communication and team working skills; Capacity
to develop and maintain good working relationships in a complex
international, cross cultural environment.
Ø Excellent skills in oral and written English language
Desirable:
Ø Experience in the field of diagnostics R&D.
Ø Work experience with MSF is an asset.
Ø Scientific and/or policy publication experience
Ø Ability to read and speak French an asset. Other languages an asset.
Ø Experience with working in a multidisciplinary international team and
in a large multi-location organisation is an advantage.
Additional information about the position:
Location: Geneva, Switzerland; with frequent travel (mostly in
Europe) and occasional support visits to field projects
Type of contract: Full time, unlimited duration
To apply, please send your CV with cover letter by July 4, 2010 to:
Michelle Vilk at michelle.vilk@geneva.msf.org at the MSF Access Campaign.
More information about the MSF Campaign for Essential Medicines can be
found on www.msfaccess.org
Kind regards,
Michelle Vilk
Coordination and Communications Assistant
Medecins Sans Frontieres
Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines
Rue de Lausanne 78
1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: + 41(0) 22 849 89 02
Fax: + 41 (0) 22 849 84 04
michelle.vilk@geneva.msf.org