Policy Lead, Health Research and Development, Africa

About this role

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity, with over 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships across science, economics, technology, and advocacy. Through its Center for Advocacy and Policy, PATH functions as a policy lab that turns data and research into evidence-based policy ideas, acts as an advocacy impact accelerator to shape and execute high-impact strategies, and serves as a field catalyst connecting movements and coalitions across geographies. PATH is recruiting a Policy and Advocacy Lead for Health Research and Development to lead transformative policy and advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening Africa’s health research and innovation ecosystem. The successful candidate will shape policy, advance strategic partnerships, mobilize investments, and drive advocacy initiatives that accelerate the development, introduction, scale-up, and equitable access to health innovations across the continent.

Core responsibilities include leading strategy and managing delivery for the health R&D policy and advocacy portfolio, overseeing workplans, timelines, deliverables, budgets, and reporting. The role involves building and maintaining strategic partnerships with governments, regional institutions, multilateral organizations, research institutions, civil society, donors, and private sector actors. The candidate will engage institutions such as the African Union, Africa CDC, and AUDA-NEPAD, represent PATH in technical meetings and high-level forums, drive cross-functional coordination across PATH teams, provide team management and mentorship, and contribute to thought leadership, reports, analyses, and advocacy materials that advance Africa’s health innovation agenda. Essential qualifications include a master’s degree in public health, global health, health policy, public policy, international development, pharmaceutical sciences, health economics, or a related field, with management consulting experience valued.

Candidates must demonstrate strong understanding of Africa’s health R&D ecosystem including product development, regulatory systems, and local manufacturing, alongside a proven track record in evidence-based global health advocacy that influences policy adoption. Excellent technical translation skills, experience managing multi-country or multi-stakeholder initiatives, and exceptional English communication abilities are required.