Strategic Partnerships Officer

1.    Introduction

The Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (Global Health EDCTP3) is a partnership between the European Union and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Association whose members are several European and African countries. Global Health EDCTP3 is established by Council Regulation (EU) 2021/2085 of 19 November 2021 establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe . It aims at supporting clinical research to deliver solutions to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa and strengthen research capacities to prepare and respond to emerging infectious diseases. 
Since 2003, the first and second EDCTP programmes,  represent a flagship for conducting sound multi-country clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa, building a true partnership between Europe and Africa, and fostering African leadership in scientific research. These programmes have also contributed to improving linkages between African research organisations, which resulted in the launch of four African Regional Networks of Excellence for clinical trials and more than 200 multi-country clinical trials and clinical studies. Moreover, these programmes have strengthened the ethics review capacity and national regulatory authorities in many African countries and contributed to establish relevant organisations in the region.
Building on the positive experience of the previous EDCTP programmes, Global Health EDCTP3 intends to: 
•    Reduce the socio-economic burden of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa by promoting the development and uptake of new or improved health technologies.
•    Increase health security in sub-Saharan Africa and globally by strengthening the research and innovation-based capacities for preparedness and response to control infectious diseases.

Global Health EDCTP3 is implementing a budget of approximately EUR 1.86 billion for the period 2021-2027 and consolidating a programme office of around 34 highly qualified, scientific, clinical and administrative professionals from multi-cultural backgrounds from Europe and Africa, operating in a multilingual context. The budget comes from the European Union Horizon Europe Framework Programme of Research and Innovation, the EDCTP Association member countries and additional contributing partners, such as philanthropic organisations and industry, which contribute on an ad-hoc basis. More information can be found in the mentioned Council Regulation establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe, notably in its Articles 99-114.
Global Health EDCTP3 is established until 31 December 2031 and is located in Brussels, Belgium.
For more information, please visit the Global Health EDCTP3 website at: https://www.global-health-edctp3.europa.eu/index_en

2.    Job description

Global Health EDCTP3 is organising a call for expressions of interest with a view to recruiting and establishing a reserve list of Temporary agents (2f) for the position of Strategic Partnerships Officer.

2.1    Profile

Under the supervision of the Team Leader for Strategic Partnerships and Communications, the jobholder is responsible for external relations of Global Health EDCTP3, including creating and nurturing collaboration and partnerships with stakeholders such as EDCTP Association member countries, the European Commission, international organisations, foundations, and development agencies, as well as representing Global Health EDCTP3 in national and international events of relevance to global health research.

2.2 Tasks 

Duties and responsibilities
The Strategic Partnerships Officer main duties and responsibilities will include, but not be limited to the following:

External relations:
•    Contribute to the development and execution of strategies for creating strong and effective partnerships with Global Health EDCTP3’s internal and external stakeholders, with the objective of designing joint initiatives and leveraging contributions from EDCTP Association member states and third party Contributing Partners.
•    Represent Global Health EDCTP3 at strategic partners’ external meetings and events.
•    Contribute to fund-raising efforts involving EDCTP Association member states and Third Party contributing partners.
•    Build and manage a portfolio of partnerships and execute strategic relationship plans between Global Health EDCTP3 and other public and private sector organisations, including development cooperation agencies, philanthropic organisations, product development partnerships (PDPs), pharmaceutical companies, and other like-minded organisations involved in global health research and development, in liaison with the Legal Officers.
•    Liaise with relevant members of the Scientific Operations Team to ensure integration with and contribution to the scientific strategy and the annual work programmes of Global Health EDCTP3.
•    Contribute to the team’s function in of cooperating with the EDCTP Association to promote coordination, alignment and where possible integration of its members’ national programmes for poverty-related diseases (PRDs) research in the scope of Global Health EDCTP3.
•    Contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures and harmonised processes for collaboration with external partners.

Analysis and intelligence:
•    In liaison with the Operations and Policy Officer, identify, analyse and gather intelligence on relevant research, global health and policy developments and integrate this into Global Health EDCTP3’s strategies.
•    Ensure internal communication and reporting of events and knowledge gathering.

External communication:
•    In coordination with the Team Leader for Strategic Partnerships and Communications, reach out to stakeholders and communicate about the activities of Global Health EDCTP3.
•    In liaison with the Communication Officers, help raise the visibility of Global Health EDCTP3 within national and international health research communities.
•    Promote awareness of the Global Health EDCTP3 programme and strategy through public speaking and presenting at information days, events and meetings, explaining the calls for proposals and evaluation processes and highlighting the benefits of participating in the programme.
•    Ensure dissemination and promotion of project results and impacts, contribute to the Annual Activity Report, identify and disseminate best practices and present the programme and its projects at workshops, seminars, conferences, and other public events.
•    Contribute to programme publications in collaboration with other teams within the Programme Office.

Conferences and events management:
•    Contribute to the successful organisation of Global Health EDCTP3 events, including the biennial EDCTP Forum, under the guidance of the Team Leader for Strategic Partnerships and Communications.
•    Coordinate engagement and the development of strategies for advocacy and outreach events.
•    Monitor upcoming external events and help to maintain a list for prioritisation of Global Health EDCTP3 engagement.

The successful candidate may be required to undertake other tasks and activities as necessary according to the evolution and development of the GH EDCTP3 JU’s structure or activities. Duties may evolve depending on the needs of the GH EDCTP3 JU.

3.    Eligibility criteria

Candidates will be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following requirements, to be fulfilled by the closing date for applications and maintained throughout the selection procedure and appointment:

3.1 Nationality 
•    Be a national of a member state of the European Union.
•    Be a national of one of the following sub-Saharan African countries that are members of the EDCTP Association and participating in the Global Health EDCTP3 programme: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kingdom of Eswatini, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
•    Be a national of one of the associated countries to Horizon Europe that are members of the EDCTP Association and participating in the Global Health EDCTP3 programme: Norway and United Kingdom.

3.2 Education and professional experience
•    Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four (4) years attested by a diploma ; and, after having obtained the diploma, at least three (3) years full-time professional experience in a field relevant to this position.

OR

Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three (3) years attested by a diploma and, after having obtained the diploma, at least four (4) years full-time professional experience in a field relevant to this position.

3.3 Languages
•    Have a thorough knowledge of one of the official EU languages  and a satisfactory knowledge (at least B2 level) of another of these languages to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties (candidates are invited to specify in their CV possible language certificates they have obtained, which can demonstrate their language skills).

Candidates should clearly specify each criterion (nationality, diploma, and languages) in their CV. 
Failure to comply with any of the eligibility criteria or failure to mention them in the applicant’s CV will result in the disqualification of the applicant.

4.    Selection criteria

Eligible candidates will be considered for the selection phase on the basis of the following criteria, to be fulfilled by the closing date of applications:

4.1 Essential qualifications and experience
•    Suitability to perform the tasks described in point 2.2.
•    Demonstrated professional experience of at least three (3) years in networking, partnership building and advocacy, preferably for an internationally recognised research funding institution and/or in the field of global health.
•    Demonstrated professional experience of at least three (3) years in working as a scientist or actively engaging with scientists, policymakers, national and international research agencies and foundations (such as supporting advocacy and legal functions).
•    Professional experience working in a multicultural, international and multidisciplinary environment.
•    Fluent/excellent written and spoken English (native or near-native level).

4.2 Advantageous criteria
•    Sufficient knowledge of French and/or Portuguese to manage communication with stakeholders in Francophone and Lusophone Africa.
•    Ability to use electronic office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams, etc).
•    Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (e.g. biomedical sciences, health and development policy, or a relevant related field such as global or public health).

4.3 Behavioural competences
•    Communication skills: comfortable with dealing with people at all levels within and outside of the organisation and ability to present complex matters in a straightforward manner.
•    Organisation skills: ability to balance multiple high-priority projects simultaneously in a highly dynamic work environment.
•    Interpersonal and collaboration skills: ability to listen, create goodwill and support with management, staff and stakeholders.

Candidates are invited to be as detailed and as clear as possible when describing their professional experience and specific skills and competences in their application. In order to be evaluated in the best possible way, candidates are advised to give evidence of their knowledge and detailed professional experience with specific examples and detailed professional experience. 

5.    Conditions of Employment

The successful candidate will be appointed as a Temporary Agent, AD6, pursuant to Article 2(f) of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, for a period of three years, with a probation period of 9 months. After an evaluation of the post holder's performance, and subject to budget availability, the term of office may be extended. The period of engagement will not in any case exceed the lifetime of the GH EDCTP3 JU.
Remuneration
The successful candidate who is offered a contract of employment will be graded on entry into service in the step 1, according to the length of his/her professional experience.

The basic monthly salaries for a Temporary Agent, AD6, as of 1 January 2025 in Brussels, are:
AD6, step 1: EUR 6.681,51 (for less than 6 years of professional experience before obtention of diploma)
AD6, step 2: EUR 6.962,30 (for more than 6 years of professional experience after obtention of diploma)

In addition to the basic salary, staff members may be entitled to various allowances, in particular expatriation or foreign residence allowance, family allowances including household allowance, dependent child allowance, pre-school allowance and an education allowance.

The salary is subject to a Community tax deducted at source and staff members are exempt of national taxation.

For any further information on contractual and working conditions, please refer to the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS) of the European Union, which is available on the following web page:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1962R0031:20140101:EN:PDF 

6.    Important note

Candidates are invited to read the ANNEX that represents an integral part of this vacancy and provides information on how to complete the application, the steps of the selection process and appeal procedures.