Program Manager: Malaria Access Initiatives in the Asia Pacific

Program Manager: Malaria Access Initiatives in the Asia Pacific

MMV background

Founded in 1999, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) emerged as a pioneering product development partnership in the global health sector, with a singular mission: to reduce the burden of malaria in disease-endemic countries. Working collaboratively with endemic countries and combining their scientific expertise with that of the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, MMV has fast-tracked the development and delivery of new, innovative, and affordable antimalarial therapies. Their efforts are underpinned by the belief that every individual, regardless of their economic status, should have access to effective treatments.

Over the years, MMV has played a pivotal role in the discovery, development, and delivery of antimalarial medicines, ensuring they reach those in need, especially vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. MMV has facilitated the development and approval of 15 new antimalarial treatments in partnership with various pharmaceutical entities. These treatments have been instrumental in saving lives, especially in regions with high malaria transmission. Through its persistent endeavors, MMV exemplifies the power of partnership and innovation in addressing global health challenges and remains steadfast in its commitment to a malaria-free world.

MMV access team in the Asia Pacific region: 

The Asia Pacific region faces unique challenges in its fight against malaria, necessitating targeted and efficient strategies. The access action plan for the Asia Pacific is grounded in the seeks to address the region's specific needs and vulnerabilities and is focused around the overall goal of supporting National Malaria Control Programs and their partners achieve malaria elimination and/or significant burden reduction by 2030.

Vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, bear a disproportionate burden of the disease, further exacerbated by the effects of climate change. The challenges are multifaceted: from reaching indigenous, migrant, and mobile populations, who are often in high-risk categories, to combating the transmission driven by activities such as illegal gold mining and seasonal agriculture. Furthermore, there's a discernible fragmentation in addressing vivax malaria.

However, MMV has a well-connected regional team that has been focusing on vivax malaria given the region's epidemiology and the latest tools available for vivax radical cure. Recognizing the need for a more holistic approach to malaria elimination, and the potential for ensuring access closer to the ground for more MMV developed tools, the regional access team will shift from a sole focus on vivax malaria to a more comprehensive approach towards malaria case management.

This role is designed against this backdrop. The primary responsibility of the PM, reporting to the regional advisor, will be to ensure the smooth operation of the different activities in the region; he/she will a crucial role in coordinating and facilitating communication and joint work-planning among regional teams.

Strategic Program Management

· Coordinate and oversee the implementation of MMV's malaria elimination strategies in the Asia Pacific region.

· Work closely with regional advisors and technical teams to ensure alignment of program activities with overarching objectives.

Operational Oversight and Coordination

· Manage day-to-day operational aspects of the program, ensuring effective and efficient execution of activities including coordination with sub-contractors/implementers to;

· Development of Scopes of Work

· Raising Purchase Orders or work through Geneva to ensure purchase orders are raised, shepherd contracts through MMV Geneva contracting processes, respond to queries from business development and legal teams And follow up on approvals with business partners as needed.

· Management of contracts with implementers in the region, oversight on deliverables due from implementers.

· Support coordination of the activities by providing calendar management to prioritize and coordinate internal and external partner discussions; support with agenda preparation and compile/disseminate relevant materials for meetings as needed.

· Draft meeting minutes and actions for internal calls; input and monitor action items assigned and other follow-up activities.

· Coordinate travel requests for consultants and external stakeholders as needed.

· Support with recruitment processes for malaria project consultancy roles.

· Collaborate with Communications and Advocacy Manager, APM on the vivaxmalaria.org website content and advocacy/comms materials as needed.

· Support with ad hoc requests as needed.

Coordination, monitoring and reporting of key workstreams

· Coordinate different workstreams on the workplan related to implementation studies, policy change and effective malaria case management and ensure activities are completed in a timely way.

· Ensure efficient file management and support meeting coordination in collaboration with MMV events team and key stakeholders. This would include reports, minutes, assessment, resources and other key files on PINK and other project platforms for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned

· Implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track program milestone progress and ensure reporting is provided in a timely manner.

· Prepare comprehensive reports detailing program achievements, challenges, and lessons learned for funders and internal MMV teams

Capacity Building and Team Leadership

· Identify new administrative or other tools, such as AI-based tools, that could make the teams work more efficient.

Financial Management and Budget Oversight

· Oversee the program budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and financial accountability.

· Close coordination with MMV Geneva program team to ensure full transparency and updates on budgets

· Coordinate with donors and funding bodies to secure ongoing financial support.

Person Profile

• The ideal candidate for the Program Manager role should have a strong background in program management, particularly in global health or public health.
• They should be adept at strategic planning, operational oversight, and have a proven track record in leading teams towards achieving health-related objectives.
• The candidate should possess excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills and have experience in monitoring and evaluation, financial management, and advocacy.
• Highly motivated and innovative. Capable of being productive while working remotely

Educational and Professional Experience

• A Master's degree in Public Health, Global Health, or a related field and/or at least 5 years of experience in program management, preferably in a global health context.
• Experience in providing constructive support to technical teams and identifying areas where team processes can be made more efficient

Start date: earliest convenience

Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension for a further 12-24 months

Work level: Full time, 10-20% Travel

Work location: Remote from one of the following countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

Contractual Set-up: The successful candidate will be engaged through an Employer of Record. The candidate should preferably have the right to reside and work in one (or more) of the countries listed above.

Application deadline: 7 April 2024. The applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

At MMV, we consider individuals for employment based on their skills, abilities, and experience. We strive to attract and hire a strong, talented, and diverse workforce, prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, religious or political beliefs, age, nationality, physical, mental, or developmental disability, gender, sexual orientation.

A note on Gender Equity, Social Inclusion, and Decolonization

MMV has an active policy to ensure Gender Equity, Diversity and Social Inclusion and is committed to the decolonization of Global Health. Team members are expected to become familiar with MMV policies in these areas and apply GEDSI approaches in their work.

Interested applicants should send their CV and a cover letter by 7th April 2024 giving reasons for their interest in the position and a short summary of their related experience with regards to above mentioned requirements.