The organisation

Policy Cures Research is an internationally respected non-profit think tank that provides data and strategic analysis on innovation for global health to high-profile organisations around the world. We provide evidence by collecting two types of data: funding for global health research and development (R&D), and information on biomedical products in the neglected disease R&D pipeline. Funding data is gathered on an annual basis via the G-FINDER survey while our R&D pipeline tracker is updated at regular intervals throughout the year. We provide robust, high-quality analysis, and engage with the global health community to offer strategic advice and expertise to stimulate efficient funding for biomedical research and development.

Objectives

Policy Cures Research has expanded its product offering over the past year and has plans for further growth. We are therefore seeking to bolster our team with a technically skilled (i.e. medical or pharmaceutical experience) Director of Research. Interested parties who do not meet all the criteria described below may be considered for other roles so are encouraged to apply. The Director of Research position is a full-time role based in Sydney.

Key accountabilities

The Director of Research will be responsible for the successful delivery of Policy Cures Research’s research portfolio, the organisation’s key programme of work. Specifically, the Director of Research will ensure the execution of high-quality data/evidence collection and analysis of the global landscape of investment in R&D for historically neglected and underfunded health issues. This will include overarching responsibility for the timely, quality delivery of the organisation’s flagship project, G-FINDER, through which data on investment in R&D for neglected diseases, emerging infectious diseases, and sexual and reproductive health issues are collected and analysed. Through dedicated oversight of a high-functioning team of researchers, the role will ensure the organisation’s reputation as the gold standard source of neglected disease R&D funding data is maintained. The Director of Research will be responsible for:

Research management and oversight

• Ensuring all work meets Policy Cures Research’s standard of quality
• Supervising the creation of project proposals, budgets, expense management dashboards and timelines
• With the assistance of the Senior Analysts, allocating and supervising all evidence collection and analysis
• Structuring analytical tools and approaches to collect, manipulate and analyse quantitative and qualitative data
• Aligning project plans with client-driven KPIs
• Project reporting to the executive team and our clients

Staff management

• Managing research staff, including recruitment processes, performance reviews, and decisions on promotion and termination
• Coaching staff and preparing them to undertake more senior roles through structured succession planning and professional development goal setting
• Advising the executive team on staffing levels
• Engaging with the executive team to manage current and future organisational structure and cultural change

Business development

• Conceptualising new projects in conjunction with the executive team
• Liaising with the executive team on the development of concept notes and proposals with the support of the research staff
• Providing input to the executive team and staff involved in engagement and external relations strategies as needed

Company strategy

• Assisting the executive team with creation and maintenance of a company strategy
• Assisting the executive team in strategic decision-making regarding the direction of Policy Cures Research and the organisation’s business operations

Reporting lines

• This position will report to the Chief Operating Officer
• Three Senior Analysts will report to this position

Values and behaviours

The Director of Research will:

• Set an example of model behaviour to the research team, exemplifying fairness, transparency and accountability in both organisational and individual behaviour
• Bring strong personal leadership to guide the research team
• Work effectively at the head of the research team, and alongside the executive team
• Demonstrate a passion for global health and biomedical R&D
• Ensure attention to detail and rigour, while maintaining a strategic vision of the organisation’s work in context

Key selection criteria

Essential

• Experience in managing large datasets and executing high-quality analysis
• Prior experience working in global health or global development
• Prior experience managing and developing teams
• Excellent written communication skills

Highly desirable

• Pharmacy or medical degree, or biomedical science PhD
• Prior experience working with a consulting firm or think tank