Regional Policy Lead- Health Research and Development- Africa

PATH is recruiting aPolicy & 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. Ifyou’rethe successful candidate,you’llbe at the forefront of shaping policy, advancing strategic partnerships, mobilizing investments, and driving advocacy initiatives that accelerate the development, introduction, scale-up, andequitableaccess to health innovations across the continent. Your work will help ensure underserved populationsbenefitfrom advances in research, technology, and global health innovation, contributing to a more resilient andequitablehealth future for Africa.

This role reports to the RegionalDirector, Center for Advocacy and Policy,and works closely with other R&D advocacy team membersand PATH’s health innovation portfolio,includingbut not limited toMarket Dynamics, ProductDevelopment,and the Centre for VaccineInnovationand Access.

The position can be based inKenya (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, leadinginitiatives 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, regionalinstitutions, 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadstrategy for PATH’shealthR&Dpolicy andadvocacy programs- Drive thevision for thehealth R&D policy and advocacyportfolioin the region,ensuring strategic alignment, high-quality delivery, andimpact.

• 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 andmaintainstrong relationships with governments, regional institutions, multilateral organizations, research institutions, civil society, donors, and private sector partners to advance sharedhealth R&D goals and objectives.

• Engage regional and continental stakeholders– Strengthen collaboration with institutions such as the AfricanUnion, 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, policyforums, working groups, and high-level convenings that shapeAfrica’shealth innovation agendas.

• Drive cross-functional coordinationwith PATH- Collaborate across PATH’s technical, policy, partnerships, and external affairs teams to integrateR&D advocacy, technical, and programmatic priorities into cohesive strategies and outputs.

• Provide teammanagement as assignedand mentorship- Guide project teams, consultants, and partners while fostering collaboration, learning, inclusion, and professional growth.

• Providethought leadership and knowledge developmentbased onemerging trends and opportunities–Monitor developments across Africa’s health innovation ecosystem to inform strategy, partnerships, and advocacyandpolicytools, reports, analyses, presentations, and advocacy materials that strengthen policy engagement and elevate Africa’s health innovation agenda

• Advance PATH’s visibility and influence- Contribute to PATH’s external positioning and thought leadership on health R&D, innovation policy, andequitableaccess across Africa.

• Business development:identifypartnership and funding opportunities, andcontributeto proposal development

Essential Skills and Experience

• Education &Expertise–master's degree in public health, global health, health policy, public policy, international development, pharmaceutical sciences, health economics, or a related field. Experience in management consulting will be valuable

• Health R&D Policy Leadership– Strong understanding of Africa’s health R&D ecosystem, including product development, introduction, access, regulatory systems, and local manufacturing.

• Advocacy Strategy– Proven track record of designing and delivering evidence-based global health advocacy strategies that influence policy adoption and implementation at national, regional, or continental levels.

• Technical Translation– Ability to distill complex scientific, policy, or regulatory issues into clear, persuasive messages for policymakers and other decision-makers.

• Program and Technical Expertise– Demonstrated experience in health R&D, public health programs, policy, or a related field.

• Stakeholder Engagement– Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with governments, regional institutions, multilateral organizations, civil society, and private sector partners.

• Partnership Management– Experience managing partnerships and coordinating across multiple organizations, sectors, or stakeholder groups.

• Communication– Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English, including strong presentation and facilitation abilities with senior stakeholders.

• Project Management– Strong organizational skills, with experience leading multi-country or multi-stakeholder initiatives and managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.

• Collaboration and Cultural Agility– Proven ability to work effectively across teams, geographies, cultures, and sectors in a dynamic environment.

• Legal Work Authorization– Must have legal authorization to work in the country of hire.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Donor-Funded Programmes -Demonstratedexperiencemanaging philanthropy and multilaterally funded projects.

• Client-focused– Mindset that prioritizes stakeholder needs within organizational resource constraints, and attitude that reflects the necessity to be flexible and responsive to rapid changes in the agendas of policy makers.

• Capacity Strengthening– Experience designing or delivering training and technical assistance to buildpolicy and advocacycapacity.

• Multilingual Skills– Proficiency in French, Portuguese, or Arabic for engagement across Africa’s diverse regions.