Program Support Officer, The George Institute Partnerships in Africa

• Part time to Full Time Opportunity (0.6 to 1.0 FTE)
• 12-month, fixed term contract
• Flexible base location, with a choice between our Sydney, New Delhi or London offices
• Hybrid working arrangements available, with a combination of office and virtual work

The George Institute (TGI) is 700+ people around the world, all focused on improving the health of millions of people worldwide. As a medical research institute affiliated with leading universities and with projects in approximately 50 countries, we are challenging the status quo in healthcare to:

• Find better treatments for the world's biggest health problems
• Transform primary health care to support better health for more people
• Harness the power of communities, governments and markets to improve health

Our innovative commercial enterprises help maximise our impact. Please visit 'what we do' to read more about how we are addressing the world's biggest health problems.

TGI has been able to achieve some impact in Africa through research collaborations that have arisen organically. With the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and injuries (NCDIs) on the continent, and an increasing government and donor funding to tackle NCDIs in Africa, formalised alliances and strategic investments in Africa will enable us to increase the impact and global reach of our research, products and services.

The guiding principles for this initiative includes creating and maintaining authentic partnerships with health researchers and institutions in Africa in a sensitive and respectful manner, enabling local capacity for addressing unmet needs. In line with the Institute’s other major research priorities of better treatments, better care and healthier societies, the TGI-Africa Initiative takes a multi-faceted approach to improve health of people in Africa through research, policy, and advocacy.

This Program Support Officer opportunity has been established to support the Africa-Initiative across all TGI offices, facilitating internal coordination and engagement, as well as external stakeholder engagement.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

• Regarding relationships between TGI-based researchers and African partners, this role will assist in the development of activities, research, and events in line with the principles of the Africa-Initiative
• Support the Research Committee for the Africa Initiative. This will include managing and facilitating meetings, identifying projects of relevance to be reviewed, ensuring the program’s guidelines (values/principles) are maintained throughout TGI’s work
• Building and maintaining key stakeholder relationships with internal teams
     o Work with the Advocacy, Thought Leadership, Communications teams, and Operational excellence team to support Africa related activities
     o Work with research teams across all our offices
• Organise (conceptualise and implement) thought leadership/engagement events (e.g. webinars, face to face sessions, coffee with series, panel discussions, networking events) aimed at increasing awareness for our research projects in Africa, as well as identify mutual learning needs for TGI and partners in Africa
• Responsible for all program administrative tasks such as coordinating and scheduling meetings, minute taking, website updates and improvements, as well as identifying and disseminating funding opportunities
• On a regular basis, update our database on research activities in Africa and identify funding opportunities.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Strong administrative support skills
• Experience in project management
• Facilitation, and event management skills
• Strong presentation and communications skills
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, managing relationships with external partners, and engaging with internal stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently
• Strong organisational skills

Desired

• Background and expertise in health and medical research and/or health policy
• Experience living and/or working in Africa.

For more information, please see the Position Description here.

The closing date for applications is midnight, Sunday 26th June 2022. We do, however, reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.