Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible

The Opportunity

Roche Diagnostics Africa is seeking a Policy and Government Affairs Partner to shape and influence policy implementation across the continent through support of affiliate teams. The role would be based on the African continent for consistent engagement with regional and/or local stakeholders who have regional influence and to enable travel to countries across the continent as needed.  This role has both strategic and tactical elements to support initiatives that span multiple countries and for linkage at the regional level. This role is about the “how” and the “what” in regional health policy. You will focus on health policy and government affairs topics across the African continent.

The successful incumbent will serve as a point of contact for health policy for Africa to regional intergovernmental organisations and related local agencies/NGOs. You will engage with regional level stakeholders, provide insights into African regional health priorities and policy agendas and provide support for the local affiliate policy teams. This will be done within the context of the Healthcare Access Chapter, in delivering the Roche Diagnostics 10 Years Africa Strategy, and a team effort together with other policy roles in the organisation.

You will bring insights into the political and economic healthcare ecosystem for key regions on the African continent, build strong relationships with regional or national stakeholders that influence across multiple countries and advocate for patient access to healthcare no matter where they live.

Key Challenges:

• Build a deep understanding of the health ecosystems across the African continent to set policy agenda priorities including the environments, institutional and political landscapes with emphasis on key priority countries of the Africa Strategy.
• Actively engage and build relationships with political stakeholders and key influencers of health policy agendas at regional and national levels in coordination with global health policy leads, EEMEA-LATAM policy teams and the Africa Healthcare Access Chapter to enable removal of barriers and bring key disease area and health topics to the priority agenda for rapid, broad and sustainable access to Roche innovations for patients.
• Conduct research, analyse current healthcare policies, evaluate the effects of proposed legislation, and report on findings within the Healthcare Access Chapter, EMEA LATAM region and Area Africa to identify unmet needs and opportunities.
• Influence political and social events to increase voice around healthcare issues related to key business initiatives under the strategic initiatives of Roche in Africa both internally and externally.
• Build supporting tools and knowledge resources (e.g. best practice) for implementation of policy agenda at local levels that deliver clear, evidence-based and compelling positions for governments and key influencers including monitoring and evaluation metrics to track momentum for access and lessons learned and communication mechanisms (e.g. communities of practice).
• Support affiliate access, policy and commercial teams in local activities to minimise gaps/hurdles to access in support of health system strengthening initiatives and public private partnerships.  Such projects include Global Access Program, Africa Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA), Women’s Health, UHC, NCDs and local affiliate pilot projects for access.

Who you Are:

• Required: A degree in Science or the Social Sciences.
• Highly desirable: Master Degree in Policy, Health Economics or Health Financing.
• Significant experience in the pharmaceutical or health / medical device / laboratory industry with experience relating to market access, government affairs and health policy. Experience in multiple markets is an advantage.
• Fluency in Written and Spoken English is mandatory. Ability to read and speak French is an advantage

Impact will be measured by:

• Contribution to regional/area business objectives, regional/area business growth and increased patient access across Africa.
• Delivery of key initiatives that result in changes to regional or local policies leading greater access within agreed timelines.
• Development of key relationships within the African health policy ecosystem to shape policy agendas.
• Creation of health policy engagement and shaping capabilities within the local teams across Africa.
• Interpersonal skills for successful collaboration within highly matrixed cross-functional teams .
• Critical thinking, strategic mindset, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Ethical mindset and good understanding of relevant compliance principles and regulations.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills: confirmed abilities to influence others without authority and mobilise people behind a common purpose and strategy