Open for hire at one of the following locations – Rwanda. - Job ID: 7853

Join our team of pioneers!

As a part of our team of more than 5.000 pioneers, you will play a key role in developing solutions for some of the most crucial scientific challenges of our age. Within less than a year, we were able to develop our COVID-19 mRNA vaccine following the highest scientific and ethical standards – writing medical history.

We aim to reduce the suffering of people with life-changing therapies by harnessing the potential of the immune system to develop novel therapies against cancer and infectious diseases. While doing so, we are guided by our three company values: united, innovative, passionate. Get in touch with us if you are looking to be a part of creating hope for a healthy future in many people's lives.

Director* Global Health Office Africa

The Global Health Office (GHO) is dedicated to accelerating the development of new products that address major unmet public health needs, particularly those affecting populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and those with an inequity or pandemic preparedness dimension. The GHO provides a public health perspective, bringing together different areas of the company to support BioNTech's teams in research and development, clinical development and operations, regulatory pathways, and planning for end delivery. The GHO is committed to promoting the health of disadvantaged global populations while recognizing the importance of ensuring the commercial success of global health-focused products. Our mission is for BioNTech to be a socially responsible, science-based global leader in eradicating malaria and other infectious diseases, and to enable faster and greater impact of BioNTech's innovative science and technology products.

Located in Kigali, Rwanda, the Director Global Health Office Africa will ensure effective collaboration with key stakeholders in countries where BioNTech is planning or conducting clinical trial activities, with relevant bilateral and multilateral organizations, and will contribute to BioNTech's global strategy and partnerships. This role requires a thorough knowledge of the health research environment, including the landscape of health research institutions, standard research practices, regulatory requirements, and the subtleties of disease epidemiology. This position requires a combination of scientific skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to navigate African research environments effectively while partnering with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

Your main responsibilities are:

• Build and maintain regular working relationships and provide support to a range of partners including clinical trial sites, contract research organizations, civil society organizations, and regulatory authorities.

• Support coordination in Africa of working relationships between Principal Investigators and:

  • key in-country stakeholders (e.g. institutes of medical research, academics, etc.);

  • BioNTech functions (clinical development, clinical operations, regulatory, communications, etc.);

  • BioNTech programs (e.g. malaria, TB, HIV, etc.); and

  • Vendors (e.g. Contract Research Organizations).

• Serve as the BioNTech point of contact for site investigators and government ministries as part of a plan to support crisis and communication management.

• Strategic Advising: Offer strategic guidance on the conduct of clinical trials, tailored to the local research environment and local standards of care.

• Regulatory Advice: Support relevant stakeholders to ensure that all clinical trial activities comply with local regulations and ethical standards.

• Knowledge Management: Stay abreast of industry literature, guidelines, competitive landscape, and best practices relevant to clinical trial execution.

• Insight Gathering: Collect and analyze feedback from clinical trial sites & investigators to inform and optimize design and strategy, both within individual trials and more broadly across BioNTech activity in countries.

• Capacity Building: Provide insights and recommendations on opportunities for capacity building for clinical trial sites, the manufacturing ecosystem and broader workforce.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal stakeholders such as Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations, etc. to ensure a cohesive approach to trial execution and healthcare professional engagement.

• Support site feasibility assessments and clinical trial site selection decisions.

• Represent BioNTech at technical and clinical research meetings, as requested.

• Collaborate and coordinate closely within the Global Health Office, and BioNTech functions and programs working in Africa.

• Extensive travel will be a regular part of this role.

What you have to offer:

Education:

• Natural/life sciences or medical background (minimum of university master’s degree) and experience of at least 5 years working in public health, research or biomedical sciences.

Professional experience and skill:

• At least 8 years of professional working experience in public health research, primarily in Africa.

• Experience of work in African health-related institutions, preferably including government and international organizations

• Knowledge and experience in relevant legislation and international guidelines (ICH-GCP) for the performance of clinical research studies

• Minimum 5+ years of drug development or biomedical research experience including leadership roles, medical science liaison, clinical research associate, project management and ideally, regulatory submission experience

• Demonstrable experience of supporting the delivery of clinical trials and knowledge of the clinical trial landscape in Africa

• Ability to navigate a matrix environment and partner landscape effectively with internal stakeholders, contract research organizations, clinical trial sites and other national and regional partners

Languages:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential

• Working knowledge of French is essential

• Good understanding of Portuguese is desirable

Competencies:

• Pronounced team & communication skills; ability to be agile and effectively collaborate in a dynamic, cross-functional environment

• High degree of conscientiousness and diligence

• Constructive work habits, flexibility, solution orientation, job ownership, quality awareness, and very good planning and organizational skills in a fast-paced environment

• Self-starter and learning capacity

• Sense of ownership, honesty (proactive handling of errors) and integrity

• Ability to navigate through ambiguity and rapid growth and adapt to change and operate effectively

• Strong problem-solving skills, solution-oriented, and being able to quickly reprioritize and work in a start-up environment

Benefits for you

BioNTech is committed to the wellbeing of our team members and offers a variety of benefits in support of our diverse employee base. We offer competitive remuneration packages which is determined by the specific role, location of employment and also the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Click here to find out more about what we do, the careers we offer and also the benefits we provide.
Note: The availability, eligibility and design of the listed benefits may vary depending on the location. The final requirements for the individual use of our benefits are based on the company's internal policies and applicable law.

Have we kindled your pioneering spirit?

This vacancy is to be hired at one of the following locations – Rwanda. Apply now for your preferred job and location through our careers site.

*BioNTech does not differentiate on the basis of race, colour, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Most important – it’s a match!