# \[e-drug\] MSF Access Campaign Job Vacancy: Diagnostics Advisor **URL:** \ **Category:** e-drug\ **Created:** [June 8, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-msf-access-campaign-job-vacancy-diagnostics-advisor/33931 "2010-06-08T16:37:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Michelle\_Vilk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Michelle\_Vilk](https://talk.edrugplus.org/u/Michelle_Vilk)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-msf-access-campaign-job-vacancy-diagnostics-advisor/33931/1 "2010-06-08T16:37:34Z")
E-DRUG: MSF Access Campaign Job Vacancy: Diagnostics Advisor ----------------------------------------------------- [To respond DO NOT CLICK REPLY. See instructions in final paragraph.] 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