Head of Epidemiology and Preparedness

About CEPI

Launched in 2017, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an international coalition of governments, academic, philanthropic, private, public, and intergovernmental institutions whose vision is to create a world in which epidemics and pandemics are no longer a threat to humanity. Our mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biological countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI has played a central role in the global response to COVID-19, creating the world’s largest portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines – two of which are already saving lives around the world - and co-leading COVAX which is delivering equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to participating economies worldwide. During this period, CEPI has also overseen several scientific breakthroughs in developing vaccines against other infectious diseases, including the first phase 3 trial of a Chikungunya vaccine and the advancement of the first-ever Nipah virus and Lassa virus vaccines into phase 1 clinical trials. 

There is an urgent need to do more to mitigate the immediate threat of COVID-19 variants and to prepare now for the next pandemic. As COVID-19 has demonstrated, emerging infectious diseases represent an existential threat to our way of life. COVID-19 is not the first pandemic of the 21st century, and unless we act now, we can be sure that it will not be the last. But unlike some of the other big threats that humanity faces, we have the tools to systematically reduce and even eliminate the risk of future pandemics. It is vital that we capitalise on the rare alignment of political will, practical experience, and technical and scientific progress emerging from the pandemic to prevent such devastation from happening again. CEPI has a US$3.5bn five-year plan to tackle the risk of pandemics and epidemics, potentially averting millions of deaths and trillions of dollars in economic damage. This plan will urgently address the immediate threat of COVID-19 variants so we can bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end and enable us to prepare now for future threats. This includes our aim to reduce the vaccine development timeline to a 100-day ‘moonshot’ target and to advance the development of broadly protective vaccines that can protect against COVID-19 and its variants, as well as other known or novel coronaviruses. 

CEPI is organised as a not-for-profit association under Norwegian Law and has offices in Oslo (HQ), London, and Washington, DC.

At CEPI we strive for diverse thinking, and we want a diverse pool of candidates for all our vacancies. We work for an inclusive working environment where each employee can contribute and grow.

More details about CEPI and our mission can be found on our website: www.cepi.net

About the Epidemiology and Data Science Department and the role

CEPI is looking for a Head of Epidemiology Science and Preparedness with vast experience in vaccinology and emerging pathogens to join our Research and Development Division and more specifically, the Epidemiology and Data Science (E&DS) department. The E&DS department supports CEPI, its partners, and stakeholders by bridging key epidemiological knowledge gaps for vaccine development. This will be achieved by: 1) identifying, characterizing, and addressing epidemiological knowledge gaps throughout vaccine development; 2) conceptualizing epidemiological activities to deliver high-impact epidemiological data directly addressing barriers that may impair rapid and equitable vaccine development and access, and 3) providing upstream strategic input and epidemic intelligence to inform pathogen prioritization and vaccine development pathways. The E&DS department, therefore, ensures that scientific advice, innovation on vaccine evaluation, and public health needs are integrated with product development. Given the cross-functional nature of the epidemiological and modelling activities across the vaccine development value chain, the E&DS department works in close collaboration with the other departments. 

We are looking for candidates who are motivated by CEPI’s mission, have a Doctoral degree in Epidemiology, with substantial relevant epidemiology experience in NGO/Healthcare/Pharma/Biotech industry or Academia with extensive field experience in low-resource settings. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to have experience in 1) vaccine R&D; 2) line management of direct reports; 3) conducting large observational (preferably cohort) studies on vaccine preventable-diseases in low-resource setting; 4) experience in managing large complex international consortia with multiple stakeholders, and 5) have first author publications in reputed journals.

The post-holder will report directly to the Director of Epidemiology and Data Science.

Purpose of Role

The key purpose of the role is to ensure the delivery of the overall strategic goals of the E&DS department to further advance the development of CEPI’s vaccine candidate portfolio and to support CEPI’s Preparedness and Emergency Response plans. The Head of Epidemiology Science and Preparedness is expected to provide high-level scientific and operational oversight of all ongoing epidemiologic studies in the Epidemiology Science and Preparedness pillar of the E&DS department, and together with the Head of Data Science and Advanced Analysis, be a key player in the further development and implementation of strategic roadmaps in the E&DS department, thereby supporting the Director of Epidemiology and Data Science. 

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Epidemiologists and provide technical, operational, and strategic guidance for the creation, implementation and execution of studies and ensure that the team is working cohesively and efficiently.
• Advance and implement the E&DS strategic framework to achieve the objectives of the Epidemiology Science and Preparedness pillar and support the CEPI 2.0 objectives and 100-day mission.
• Provide strategic and technical input into the contributions of the Epidemiology Science and Preparedness team to the disease-specific programme teams.
• Ensure that E&DS resource requirements to projects and activities are managed effectively and timely.
• Support and oversee the implementation and completion of epidemiology studies, such as the Enable LF programme
• Provide global epidemiology support, advice, and guidance to CEPI-funded projects and internal activities, including preparation for meetings with vaccine developers.
• Develop internal partnerships with key R&D departments (Clinical Development, Regulatory, Laboratory, and Research Innovations) and the Preparedness and Response and Resource Mobilisation teams.
• Develop a strong network with internal and external stakeholders and KOLs.
• Support review and adaptation of the CONNECT pillar of the CEPI 2.0 strategy to the E&DS strategic framework.

Education, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

Essential qualifications and experience

Mandatory

• Doctoral degree (PhD) in Epidemiology from an accredited institution
• Substantial epidemiology experience in NGO/Healthcare/Pharma/ Biotech industry or Academia, with a preference for work experience in diverse settings
• Proven experience in line management of direct reports
• Extensive field experience in conducting large cohort studies in low-resource setting, preferably on CEPI’s priority pathogens or other vaccine-preventable infectious diseases

Preferably

• Strong experience in leading international multidisciplinary teams, projects and stakeholders
• Strong, practical knowledge of epidemiology/RWE methods, hybrid study designs, data sources, and analytic tools and with experience designing, implementing, overseeing, and communicating about a variety of types of epidemiology/RWE studies.
• Past experience in the vaccine pharmaceutical industry, ideally across multiple phases of vaccine R&D development, including interaction with cross-functional teams and knowledge of regulatory requirements related to the approval of vaccines is an asset
• Completion of an FETP, EPIET, or EIS programme is an asset. 

Essential skills

• Strong leadership and influencing skills with experience of working in a matrix structure.
• Self-starter with a flexible, positive, pro-active attitude including innovative working and decision-making abilities.
• Ability and flexibility to balance multiple and complex tasks.
• Problem-solving abilities with the ability to identify issues and seek advice as required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to work at pace and adaptively across multiple workstreams in a dynamic environment.
• High level of self-awareness and ability to collaborate with people cross-functionally and across different geographic regions, in multidisciplinary teams.
• Understanding and sensitivity to international and global interactions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. 

Travel and Location Requirements

• This role will preferably be based in London (UK) although could be based in Washington D.C. (US), Oslo (NO) or elsewhere for the right candidate.
• It will require working across different time zones regularly and may require travel (≈10-20%) as projects and initiatives progress. 

What We Can Offer You

• Experience from the international effort on developing vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and accelerating vaccine development response to outbreaks.
• The opportunity to work together with leading internal and external experts on solutions for global challenges.
• A diverse and inclusive working environment
• A hybrid and flexible work model. 

Background verification will be conducted to verify information provided in the CV and available documentation for the successful candidate.  Furthermore, senior level references will be requested.

How to Apply

• If you are interested in being considered for this position, please click on the 'Apply' button above to find out more and follow the “Apply Now” link.
• If you have any issues submitting your application, please contact jobs@cepi.net.