Global Health and Life Sciences Officer

Job Description

Devex Talent Solutions is assisting Value for Good in seeking a Global Health and Life Sciences Officer preferably based in Brussels, Belgium.

HDX Hub Overview

The European Commission (EC), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Gates Foundation (GF) have recently developed the Human Development Accelerator (HDX) – an innovative financing partnership to address critical global health challenges. HDX has been set up under the European Commission’s European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) program with €750m of guarantees to underwrite EIB investments alongside additional TA funding from the European Commission and catalytic grant funding from the Gates Foundation. HDX acts as an origination platform - developing and managing a pipeline of high risk investments into global health and human development in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa with an initial focus on investments in manufacturing, R&D and supply chains for vaccines and medicinal products / devices.

Role DescripWon – Global Health & Life Sciences Officer

The Global Health & Life Sciences Officer is responsible for working with development finance and
subject matter experts within the European Investment Bank, European Commission, and the
Gates Foundation to identify, design, and refine investment proposals. The Global Health & Life
Sciences Officer will bring a technical or scientific background and an understanding of the health
and life sciences space, ideally with a broad understanding of issues encountered in the
development context, to be able to assess the technical and economic viability and environmental
and social sustainability of projects in accordance with the EIB’s policies and procedures.
Successful candidates will have an active role in assessing investments, including reviewing
technical documentation, preparing appraisal reports and summarizing findings for internal
processing. Given that initial investments aim to support the development, tech transfer and
scaled supply of high impact health products (e.g. therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostics in low-
and-middle income countries), a technical background is required to ensure sound assessment of
these products and investments.

They will sit within the HDX team, but work closely with the Life Sciences and Health Division at
the EIB, which covers the health sector, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, diagnostics, medical
device technology and the wider life sciences industries.

You will be required to travel regularly to project locations within and outside of the EU (normally
short trips of up to a week, depending on the project location) and maintain effective relationships
with external parties, including but not limited to, the European Commission, EIB partners, Gates
Foundation and project promoters.

Accountabilities

• Evaluate, document and report on the strategic consistency, technical feasibility,
  commercial viability and economic sustainability of proposed investments in the Health
  and Life Sciences sector, including compliance with relevant climate, environmental, social
  and procurement policies.
• Manage and assess projects, including reporWng on performance metrics in alignment with
  the prioriWes of the EIB, EC, and GF
• Prepare comprehensive and clear sector-relevant communicaWons (including summaries of
  emerging news and innovaWon trends, as well as policy briefings) that translate technical
  knowledge for a wider audience;
• Maintain professional technical knowledge and keep abreast of any financial, industry best
  pracWce, legislaWve and macroeconomic trends in the sector; ensure that any relevant
  informaWon is disseminated to HDX partners;
• Provide expert advice and support to internal and external stakeholders, including
  promoters throughout the project cycle;
• Monitor the project implementaWon, to verify its alignment with the agreed objecWves and
  EIB safeguards and promptly alert stakeholders with any relevant findings.

Key Skills

• Knowledge of the global health and life science sectors including the relevant policies,
  regulatory aspects, global priorities and current trends that are shaping the sector;
• A thorough understanding of the biotech/pharmaceutical industry and the processes and
  procedures required to bring a product from the bench to the bedside.
• Ability to provide a sound technical assessment of project viability including the critical
  review of scientific data, trial design, R&D strategies and tech transfer schemes.
• Good understanding of LMIC and global health market drivers, and how finance can
  support their development
• Good relationship management capability to navigate diverse interests and priorities of
  organizations and integrate these interests into recommendations
• PracWcal knowledge in financing within the biotech, pharmaceuWcal environment or within
  a financial insWtuWon, would be an advantage
• Excellent knowledge of English, including very strong writing skills. Knowledge of other EU
  languages, in particular French, would be an advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years relevant professional experience in life science or biotech company, a
  consulting firm or a research institute ideally with exposure to low- and middle-income
  countries; an advanced academic degree (Minimum of a Masters degree) in a relevant
  engineering or life science discipline
• Experience working with DFIs or EU institutions is an advantagePotential Salary Band:

Full-time role on a 2-year fixed term basis with opportunity to extend. Competitive compensation package based upon previous experience.

Location: Preferably based in Brussels