Policy & Advocacy Lead, Health R&D, Africa

About this role

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and expertise in science, economics, technology, and advocacy, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world's most pressing health challenges. Through its Center for Advocacy and Policy, PATH functions as a policy lab turning data and research into evidence-based policy ideas, acts as an advocacy impact accelerator shaping high-impact strategies, and serves as a field catalyst connecting movements and coalitions across sectors. PATH is recruiting a Policy and Advocacy Lead, Health Research and Development, to lead transformative policy and advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening Africa's health research and innovation ecosystem.

The role involves shaping policy, advancing strategic partnerships, mobilizing investments, and driving advocacy initiatives that accelerate the development, introduction, scale-up, and equitable access to health innovations across the continent. Working closely with governments, regional institutions, industry, academia, civil society, innovators, and development partners, the successful candidate will translate evidence into action, elevate priority issues on policy agendas, and build coalitions that drive sustainable change. Core responsibilities include leading the vision for PATH's health R&D policy and advocacy portfolio in the region, overseeing workplans, timelines, deliverables, budgets, and reporting requirements. The role requires building and managing strategic partnerships with governments, multilateral organisations, and private sector actors, engaging continental stakeholders such as the African Union, Africa CDC, and AUDA-NEPAD, and representing PATH in strategic forums and technical meetings.

Additional duties include managing and mentoring project teams, monitoring ecosystem developments to inform strategy, and advancing PATH's external positioning on health R&D and equitable access across Africa. Candidates must hold a master's degree in public health, global health, health policy, public policy, international development, pharmaceutical sciences, health economics, or a related field. Essential experience includes strong understanding of Africa's health R&D ecosystem including product development, regulatory systems, and local manufacturing, along with a proven track record designing and delivering evidence-based advocacy strategies.