Regional Policy Lead- Health Research and Development- Africa

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy for PATH's health R&D policy and advocacy programs - Drive the vision for the health R&D policy and advocacy portfolio in the region, ensuring strategic alignment, high-quality delivery, and impact.
• Manage program delivery and performance - Oversee workplans, timelines, deliverables, budgets, and reporting requirements to ensure effective program management and accountability.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships - Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with governments, regional institutions, multilateral organizations, research institutions, civil society, donors, and private sector partners to advance shared health R&D goals and objectives .
• Engage regional and continental stakeholders - Strengthen collaboration with institutions such as the African Union, AMA , Africa CDC, AUDA-NEPAD, and related entities to advance health R&D and innovation priorities.
• Represent PATH in strategic forums - Serve as a key representative in technical meetings, policy forums , working groups, and high-level convenings that shape Africa's health innovation agendas.
• Drive cross-functional coordination with PATH - Collaborate across PATH's technical, policy, partnerships, and external affairs teams to integrate R& D advocacy , technical, and programmatic priorities into cohesive strategies and outputs.
• Provide team management as assigned and mentorship - Guide project teams, consultan

Benefits

Additional Information

PATH current employees - please log in and apply Here PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world's most pressing heath challenges. Through our Center for Advocacy and Policy , we: Build breakthroughs as a policy lab, turning data and research into bold, evidence‑based policy ideas; Ignite action as an advocacy impact accelerator, shaping and executing high-impact advocacy strategies; Connect and strengthen movements and coalitions as a field catalyst, bridging actors, filling critical gaps, and forging powerful networks for enduring change. PATH is recruiting a Policy & Advocacy Lead, Health Research and Development, to lead and support transformative policy and advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening Africa's health research and innovation ecosystem. If you're the successful candidate, you'll be at the forefront of shaping policy, advancing strategic partnerships, mobilizing investments, and driving advocacy initiatives that accelerate the development, introduction, scale-up, and equitable access to health innovations across the continent. Your work will help ensure underserved populations benefit from advances in research, technology, and global health innovation, contributing to a more resilient and equitable health future for Africa. This role reports to the Regional Director, Center for Advocacy and Policy , and works closely with other R&D advocacy team members and PATH's health innovation portfolio , including but not limited to Market Dynamics, Product D evelopment , and the Centre for Vaccine Innovation and Access. The position can be based in Kenya (Nairobi), Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), Rwanda (Kigali), Nigeria (Abuja), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam), or Ghana (Accra) Role Summary Africa is entering a pivotal decade for health innovation, with growing momentum among governments, regional institutions, researchers, manufacturers, and development partners to strengthen health sovereignty and expand access to locally relevant solutions. As this landscape evolves, the need for strong policy leadership, strategic advocacy, and effective ecosystem coordination has never been greater. Operating at the intersection of health R&D, policy, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, the role will help advance this transformation , leading initiatives that create enabling environments for innovation by linking research, regulation, manufacturing, financing, market access, and health system priorities. The successful candidate will work closely with governments, regional institutions, industry, academia, civil society, innovators, and development partners to translate evidence into action, elevate priority issues on policy agendas, and build coalitions that drive sustainable change. The role combines strategic advocacy, policy influence, partnership development, and program leadership. The successful candidate will support high-level engagement, shape compelling narratives, cultivate strategic networks, and identify emerging opportunities that advance shared objectives for health innovation and equitable access across Africa. Through this work, the role will help strengthen the conditions that enable scientific discovery and innovation to translate into lasting public health impact, economic growth, and more resilient health systems across the continent.

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