PLACE IN THE ORGANIZATION

The Diagnostics Advisor is part of the Analysis Department of MSF’s new access team, reporting to the Head of Analysis. S/he works in a multidisciplinary team of the Analysis Department consisting of experts on medical, pharmaceutical, legal and policy issues related to access to health products and technologies.

The Diagnostics Technical Advisor maintains a close working relationship with MSF technical working groups, medical referents and other technical experts at MSF projects and headquarters. The position involves frequent international travels.

OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

• Lead and coordinate the development of strategy, plans and activities for diagnostics dossier of MSF’s new access team, addressing access barriers on priority diagnostics tools, technologies and innovations.
• Lead research, analysis, and horizon scanning on the overall diagnostics priorities, pipelines and trends.
• Provide technical and strategic advice on new issues that require research, analysis and strategic development within the domain of diagnostics.
• Support and provide input into the development and implementation of advocacy strategies in relation to priority diagnostics technologies and innovations.

MAIN REPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

Lead diagnostic dossier of MSF access team, including research, analysis and strategic planning on availability, affordability and accessibility of priority diagnostics technologies and innovations

• Support the Head of Analysis in developing and managing the overall strategy and plan for diagnostics related research and analysis of the APH’s annual plans and strategic plan 2026-2031.
• Coordinate the overall diagnostics work in the access team, including regular team calls and discussions on strategies and plans.
• Tracking the newest innovations, research developments, policies, studies, publications, stakeholder and manufacturer updates.
• Identifying strategic and knowledge gaps, developing analysis or soliciting external expertise to inform MSF’s strategic understanding and discussions on emerging issues pertinent to diagnostics innovations.
• Gathering feedback from MSF more broadly to contribute to target product profiles or other pre-market work within international diagnostics community.
• Critically monitor access policies of diagnostics companies at a global level and their implementation in developing countries.
• In collaboration with the pharmacist advisor, work on data collection and analysis on the pipeline and novel products and technologies, sources and prices, for the purpose of analysing access barriers and strategic solutions; and investigate manufacturing capacity for specific products facing supply shortages.
• Provide technical input and review for the access team’s global and regional diagnostics work, including communication pieces, publications, analysis, strategics, plans and others.
• Maintain an overview, documentation and regular update of diagnostics related activities, including research, analysis, strategies and technical supports, in line with the Knowledge and Information Management Guidelines.

Participate and provide input into the development and implementation of advocacy strategies in relation to priority dossiers, products and diagnostic issues.

• Respond to requests on price and other access barriers for priority dossiers or individual products, analyse access barriers and support the development and implementation of targeted advocacy strategies.
• Work closely with pharmacist advisor, support MSF procurement analysis and needs, including price reduction negotiations for MSF field operations, and engage with manufacturers, and liaise with manufacturers to advocate for addressing needs and driving change with regard to relevant issues pertaining to suitability, use and implementation of new tools
• Prepare and give presentations for internal and external meetings, including international conferences related to access to diagnostic issues.
• Maintain an external and internal network with relevant stakeholders, representing the access team at MSF’s technical working groups on diagnostics access works.

Job requirements

Qualification and knowledge

• Biomedical science expertise, with qualification and expertise as clinical laboratory, medical doctor, paramedical or other similar fields related to diagnostics and medical laboratory.
• Advanced degree with a PhD or MSc is a strong asset.
• Additional qualification related to global health or public health is an asset.
• Strong technical background and experience in working on diagnostics issues, ideally in resource-limited settings, with a good understanding of the infrastructure related to the various healthcare levels.
• Strong knowledge of diagnostics market, technologies, R&D and relevant policy framework at global level, and good understanding of these landscapes and frameworks in LMIC.
• Solid understanding of global health policies, key actors and stakeholders related to diagnostics in the global health arena.
• Deep knowledge of access to diagnostics in resource limited/humanitarian settings and the political or policy constraints in MSF contexts.

Work experiences

• Minimum 5 years of experience directly relevant to the responsibilities of the position.
• Strong skills in research and analysis, writing technical documents and/or scientific publications.
• Core competencies: project management, teamwork, problem solving, team management, strategic planning and priority setting.
• Demonstrable technical leadership in a diverse and highly changing environment of actors.
• Excellent communication and team working skills; and willingness to speak at public events when required on behalf of MSF.
• Capacity to develop and maintain good working relationships in a complex international, cross-cultural environment.
• Genuine interest in and commitment to the humanitarian principles of MSF;
• Experience working in resource-limited settings, ideally with MSF at field and/or HQ levels is an asset.
• Appreciation of cultural and gender diversity, and strong commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Proficiency in oral and written English, other languages an asset.