Why you should join PCR

• Work on exciting and ground-breaking global health research for competitive salaries from anywhere in the world
• Join a truly global team of health, development, biomedical, and economic researchers and professionals currently working in London, Athens, Lagos, and Sydney
• Be part of an internationally respected non-profit research and policy organisation serving influential, high-profile clients around the world
• Learn about the latest global health innovations being investigated to tackle the worlds most neglected diseases and health issues
• Salary circa AUD 150,000 p.a.

Our story

The global health ecosystem is made up of numerous arms and disciplines. Upstream is where many exciting and ground-breaking biomedical innovations and technologies are discovered and investigated in hopes of finding life-changing treatments, therapies, vaccines, diagnostics, and other tools that can, perhaps one day, turn the tide on a landscape of diseases that continue to vex scientists and plague many of the most disadvantaged people on earth.

Global health R&D is a long and expensive process with many candidate failures on the path to success. It also offers industry little financial return, leaving it heavily reliant on philanthropic and public sector investment to keep it going. This combination makes for a challenging environment in which resources and investment are often at risk.

A critical piece of sustaining this complex (and fragile) ecosystem, is capturing, analysing, and reporting on that investment. This includes both the amounts of funding that are flowing (and to which organisations), as well as the R&D pipeline for diseases and conditions that disproportionately impact people in low- and middle-income countries. That’s where Policy Cures Research comes in.

Policy Cures Research is an internationally respected non-profit research and policy organisation that provides data and strategic analysis on innovation for global health to high-profile organisations around the world. Our flagship project, G-FINDER, provides an annual picture of the global investments made in research and development for neglected infectious diseases, sexual and reproductive health, and emerging infectious diseases. In addition to G-FINDER, global health policy and advocacy organisations engage us to undertake targeted, in-depth research and analysis on a wide range of neglected disease R&D facets, from historical sector funding trends and product pipelines, to future-looking cost modelling and resource mobilisation strategies.

Global health R&D funders, product developers, and advocates use our data and analysis for a number of essential purposes including, among others, identifying product and funding gaps to guide investments and priority-setting exercises, advocating to decision-makers for sustaining and growing global health R&D budget lines, and even remaining accountable to constituents (e.g., taxpayers, investors, board members, etc.).

Ours is a small, but incredibly diverse and fascinating community of players and our team itself is made up of a medley of economic, data, finance, implementation, medical, and microbiology scientists and specialists. With team members in London, Athens, Lagos, and Sydney, we are looking to expand our increasingly global and flexible organisation with global health researchers and professionals that have a passion for, interest, or proven expertise in biomedical innovation.

We offer staff the opportunity to work on exciting and ground-breaking global health research for competitive salaries from anywhere in the world. Also, with a head office in Australia, who could say no to the occasional team retreat in sunny Sydney?

The Senior Analyst role and profile

Housed within the Research, Analysis and Communications Team, the Senior Analyst will be responsible for leading a portfolio of rigorous research and analysis related to the neglected disease R&D funding and product landscape. Strong candidates will have demonstrated experience contributing to policy-driven global health research and analysis. Outstanding project and team management skills, excellent writing capabilities, comfort with data and in-depth knowledge of global health actors are a must. Strong quantitative analysis skills, as well as a scientific background in medicine, infectious diseases or biomedical R&D are a bonus, but not a requirement. The Senior Analyst is a full time role and will report to the Director of Research.

Key responsibilities

Research and analysis

• Lead the project management, analysis, and development of the flagship annual G-FINDER neglected disease report.
• Work closely with the Director of Research to identify, secure, manage and deliver a portfolio of global health R&D analytical work for a variety for clients. This may include prospective trend/gap analyses, cost modelling, pipeline/product research in non-G-FINDER health areas, global health R&D policy recommendations, etc.
• Regularly deliver analyses that utilise PCR-generated pipeline and funding data to support a wide range of global health policy and advocacy players with tools to advocate for and stimulate efficient funding for R&D of biomedical innovations for historically neglected and underfunded health issues.
• Key tasks will include developing budgets, managing team resources, conducting research and analysis, writing and synthesising analysis into coherent and salient reports, identifying and recruiting short term Research Assistants to complete projects, quality control of data and analysis, finalising deliverables and delivering to clients on time and to the highest standard.

Communications/External engagement

• The Senior Analyst will work closely with PCR’s Communications Lead to develop and execute plans for the launch, dissemination, and uptake of PCR research pieces, analytic reports and policy work.
• Present Policy Cures Research’s findings at conferences, events, other external meetings and to the media.
• Identify and regularly participate in global health R&D sector engagements to maintain and bolster PCR’s presence and participation in relevant global health dialogues.
• Maintain and nurture relationships with key global health policy and advocacy players and organisations to ensure that our work is responsive to their needs.
• Build awareness of PCR and its research/publications in the global health R&D community and help improve the citation and utilisation of its research products. Work closely with PCR’s Communications Lead to develop and execute strategies for making measurable improvements in our reach in social and traditional media.

Business Development

• Contribute to proposal development efforts for new contracts/funding opportunities including developing budgets, writing concept notes, building consortia, pitching to clients, etc.

Management

• Will be responsible for managing small teams of analysts to design and deliver projects.
• Review research undertaken by other staff and provide guidance and constructive feedback to improve junior staff’s ability to conduct independent, high quality data analysis.

Position requirements

• Advanced degree in global public health, biosciences, medicine, pharmacy, or a related field with strong health or health policy training. Candidates with academic qualifications in neglected/infectious diseases will be preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience as a policy analyst, programme manager, or consultant working on projects related to global health policy, infectious diseases, poverty-related neglected diseases, global health R&D/product innovation, access to medicines, or other related areas.
• Direct line management experience.
• Strong problem solving, analytical skills and strategic thinking, including the ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of raw data.
• Strong policy-orientated writing skills and ability to communicate in a professional and concise manner.
• Proven project and people management skills, with an ability to successfully design and deliver projects at the head of a small team.
• Sound understanding of product development (e.g. drugs, vaccines, diagnostics) and R&D phases and processes strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the global health policy/funder landscape is a must.
• Existing and strong global health R&D policy stakeholder and industry networks are desirable.
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills with an ability to and interest in representing the organisation externally in a variety of forums.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• Intermediate-to-advanced Microsoft Excel skills, and good knowledge of other Microsoft Office programs.
• Excellent written and spoken English required.

Location of work

Policy Cures Research will consider both Australia and Europe-based candidates for this role. Note: core operating hours will be based on Sydney working hours and candidates not in Australia will be expected to work flexible hours to overlap with Australia-based colleagues as much as possible. Policy Cures Research’s office is based in Sydney, Australia at Paramount House, 55 Brisbane St, Surry Hills 2010, Sydney. Working on-site depends on it being safe to do so.