Job Description

Are you passionate about improving health systems and advancing policy in Southern Africa?

We are looking for a motivated and strategic leader to fill the role of Associate Director: Policy & Health Systems Strengthening. In this pivotal position, you will have the opportunity to shape impactful health policies, strengthen health systems, and drive meaningful change across the region.

Primary Responsibilities

Developing Strategy & Influencing Public Policy

·       Assess and provide risks and opportunities associated with health sector reform in South Africa and key Southern African markets and develop a cross-functional strategy for Organisational positioning and sustainability

·       Lead the development of a strategic public policy strategy (focused on South Africa's move to UHC/NHI) to ensure favorable healthcare investment and treatment delivery environment exists for the disease areas in which the company operates.

·       Lead the early strategic analysis of local business potential for pipeline/compounds expected to enter the portfolio

·       Lead the production of high-quality internal and external responses to relevant policies and discussion documents linked to health sector reform in South Africa and key Southern African markets (e.g. disease policy, benefit design, treatment guidelines, pricing and procurement).

·       Execute strong advocacy activities in the areas of Healthcare Pricing Committees, Health Industries Guidance Committee, Health Insurance and Regulatory issues.

·       Liaise with EEMEA region, and other relevant affiliates on public policy and market access projects to ensure shared learning and efficient replication of relevant initiatives.

·       Establish credibility as a thought leader on Health Financing, Pricing and Pharmaco-economic evaluation best practice.

Compliance, Monitoring and Managing Results

·       Follow all relevant good practice guidelines, policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs),

·       Regularly monitor performance indicators such as public policy delivery, budgeting, and ensure appropriate actions are taken when deviations to plan are evident.

·       Monitor, analyse and identify opportunities and threats in the sub-Saharan Africa regulation/legislative framework and foresee the possible effects to the company, product portfolio and pipeline,

Stakeholder Management

·       Work collaboratively with other functional leaders and functions such as franchise teams, market planning, market access, communications, patient engagement, medical, regulatory, and clinical research to ensure integration of the latest public policy developments and advocacy strategies into their plans.

·       Collaborate with government, industry associations, academia, think tanks, and partners across Southern Africa to shape the policy environment, support health systems strengthening, protect our company's reputation, and support business sustainability.

·       Provide strong engagement and guidance to team to navigate complex relationships among various stakeholders to drive and achieve the government affairs and business goals in line with Corporate HQ strategies,

·       Develop productive, meaningful and appropriate relationships with Government, Ministries of Health, patient representatives, SLs, funders, international organizations and other key stakeholders who are responsible for strategic planning and investment which affects treatment access and health delivery.

Public Health, Health Economics, Policy & Product Knowledge

·       Knowledge of the policy environment, industry and public health trends and the implications on our company's business priorities.

·       Knowledge of processes and key stakeholders associated with healthcare budgeting and financing; pricing; development of national disease policies, establishment of EML and treatment guidelines, as well as health procurement.

·       Experience with funder negotiations and value arguments in relation to health interventions with a focus on vaccines and oncology.

·       Understanding of Health Technology Assessment best-practice

·       Understanding of public health and health systems strengthening

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

·       Minimum 5 years experience leading environmental shaping initiatives within a large healthcare organization. Experience with medical, market access and regulatory policy is preferred.

·       Relevant degree

·       Experience working within government, think tanks, public policy groups, funders, managed healthcare organizations, scientific leaders, patient groups and regulated industry groups and/or relevant corporations,

·       Proven experience in skills of tact, diplomacy, discretion, courtesy and persuasiveness.

·       Knowledge and understanding of key policy issues of interest to the pharmaceutical industry critical (e.g., health economics, market access, pricing, procurement, and overall regulatory issues),

·       Understanding of the policy and legislative development processes in South Africa and key sub-Saharan Africa markets ideal

·       Having established a solid foundation and credibility with key policy stakeholders advantageous

·       Ability to influence, motivate, advise and mobilize internal and external stakeholders around a particular topic and deliver successful results

·       Possess strong presentation skills and the overall knowledge, judgment and courage of conviction to be credible among internal and external stakeholders and win their confidence and respect

·       Clear reputation for ethical conduct, integrity and confidentiality

·       Demonstrated ability to work in a matrix organization and cross-functional collaboration

·       Keen attention to detail, excellent written work product and presentations, results driven, proactive, open-minded with the ability to develop new and creative ideas

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

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Requisition ID:R311484