Project Director, Meningitis Vaccine Project

The Meningitis Vaccine Project (MVP) is a partnership between PATH and the World Health Organization with the goal of eliminating meningococcal epidemics in the African meningitis belt countries through development, testing, licensure and widespread introduction of meningococcal conjugate vaccines.

Through successful collaborations with partners over a 10-year period, a monovalent Group A meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac™) manufactured at the Serum Institute of India Limited has been developed, WHO prequalified for use in individuals aged between one and twenty nine, and licensed for export by the Drugs Controller General of India. Successful vaccination campaigns have been conducted in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and epidemiological surveillance has confirmed elimination of Men A meningococcal meningitis in the vaccinated populations. Further vaccination campaigns in African ‘meningitis belt’ countries are planned between 2011 and 2016.

Parallel to vaccine development, MVP invested in enhanced surveillance in ‘meningitis belt’ countries and improvements in surveillance and epidemiologic information have promoted early identification of and response to epidemics, guided the development of introduction strategies for the Men A conjugate vaccine, and will inform future vaccine development decisions. MVP also recognizes the importance of advocacy and communications in achieving its goals, reflected in the global press coverage surrounding the vaccine introduction campaigns and in the interest of country Ministries of Health to introduce the vaccine.

Following the successful development and introduction of MenAfriVac™, the MVP focus is now directed toward obtaining a license for the infant indication; assuring long-term uptake of the vaccine through mass and routine immunization in synergy with other public health programs; and investigating the potential for ‘outside-the-cold chain’ use of the vaccine.

PATH is seeking an experienced and proven Project Director with outstanding management skills to provide overall leadership of MVP through at least 2013. The Project Director is responsible to PATH’s Program Leader for Vaccine Access and Delivery (VAD) and to the MVP Project Management Committee (PMC, which is made up of senior PATH and WHO representatives). Preferably, the position will be located in PATH’s Ferney or Geneva office.

Overall responsible for project deliverables related to vaccine clinical development, introduction, and communication/ advocacy are achieved on time and within budget. Project management activities are carried out by the PATH MVP team in close consultation with WHO counterparts. The project reports to a WHO/PATH Project Management Committee on strategy, work plans, and budget at least annually.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Provide overall management and fiduciary oversight, including required reporting to donors.
• Oversee and meet project timelines including product development, clinical development, regulatory submissions, and policy/financing guidance in collaboration with senior project staff.
• In collaboration with PATH’s VAD Program Leader, serve as key contact with donors and partners, and ensure proactive, transparent, regular communication to ensure long-term project success.
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with project partners and contractors, including the vaccine manufacturer.
• Provide guidance to MVP’s Communication officer on overall communications strategy including crisis communications plans, project website and newsletter, and press releases, and ensure linkages with PATH’s Communication Department.
• Ensure compliance with all PATH, donor-required, and project-specific policies.
• Leverage project activities to increase project reach and impact.
• Oversee all technical activities under the project, providing direction and guidance as needed.
• In coordination with MVP Project Administrator, prepare and/or review reports prepared by WHO, PATH, and other parties receiving funding under the project (e.g., vaccine manufacturers, US CDC, other national institutes) and submit biannual consolidated progress and financial reports to PMC.
• With partners, write scientific papers summarizing major MVP accomplishments and findings.
• Link with the DFID-funded polyvalent vaccine project (managed within PATH’s Vaccine Development program) to ensure necessary coordination and to build synergies.
• Participate in PATH VAD Program meetings and update, and ensure that PATH’s MVP staff members are appropriately linked with related VAD projects and activities.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated management skills working with complex programs involving short deadlines, multiple tasks, intense pressure to perform, and multiple partners.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, motivate, mentor and direct all levels of staff while creating a positive team environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Strong networking and representational skills.
• Experience in financial and administrative management and ability to meet deadlines.
• Proven experience in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development and intervention activities.
• Exceptional oral and written English communication skills; fluency in French is desirable.
• At least 5 years experience working in Africa.
• Ability to travel internationally up to 35 percent.

Required Experience

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in immunology, microbiology, vaccinology or related public health discipline. (MD preferred)
• A minimum of 15 years experience in vaccine development, public health, biologics research or biological production plus at least five years supervisory experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working on Gates Foundation and USAID funded projects is highly preferred.

This position will be located in either Ferney-Voltaire, France or Geneva, Switzerland.

Job Location

Ferney Voltaire, FRANCE

Project Director, Meningitis Vaccine Project