Position Summary:

• IAVI is seeking a qualified and ambitious Director, Science and Lab Programs to lead IAVI’s science and lab program throughout Africa. The Director is the regional representative for human immunology and clinical lab program, leading the strategic development of vaccines and antibodies for HIV, TB, and emerging infectious diseases. The Director oversees the implementation of the program across partner clinical research centers (CRCs) while ensuring sustained and robust lab quality system and operations for clinical trials and other studies. The Director leads the African Lab Program team, and is a critical member of the ADVANCE leadership team. The Director partners closely with clinical development, the IAVI India Program, Human Immunology Lab (HIL) and the Neutralizing Antibody Consortium (NAC), while contributing to product development and discovery project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy development and implementation of the human immunology and clinical laboratory program across partner clinical research centers (CRCs) ensuring sustained and robust laboratory quality systems and operations to support IAVI and IAVI-partner studies at CORE sites in Africa.


• Lead strategies to strengthen and expand the laboratory program in Africa, setting short-term and long-term goals, identifying key partners, linkages and opportunities, and mapping out associated risks and mitigation plans.


• Contribute to developing and refining the scientific strategy of the ADVANCE program and IAVI’s Africa program.


• Serve in product development project teams as the laboratory lead.


• Contribute to protocol design on project teams, as well as analysis of clinical immunology data.


• Oversee preparation of sites for clinical trials and epidemiology studies.


• Oversee teams monitoring study progress at site laboratories for the duration of the study/trial.


• Provide oversight of the GCLP Accreditation program in Africa through supervision of staff in East, West and Southern Africa regional offices.


• Oversee development of work-plans/SOWs, and ongoing review of progress across program.


• Oversee development of associated SOPs, relevant quality management programs and training materials.


• Oversee and support the development and technical transfer of new assays as required.


• Oversee sample storage and biorepository strategies for clinical trials and observational studies in Africa.


• Support the Clinical Development team in Africa, to facilitate and manage development of new clinical sites, tests, laboratory capabilities, activities or protocols.


• Oversee the development of and implementation of associated integrated work plans and budgets, ensuring that the resources are allocated and deployed effectively.


• Review budgets and timelines ensuring integration with the overall clinical trials program.


• Maintain good relations with IAVI collaborators, investigators, and trial site staff facilitating site development and execution of clinical trials and studies.


• Writing and/or reviewing project materials and publications.


• Representing IAVI and its partners in various for a, presenting the project progress, achievements, and lessons learned to donors, and other key stakeholders in such meetings and conferences.


• Work with IAVI-NY, NAC and HIL-London ensuring efficient and smooth execution of quality studies and trials.


• Support fundraising activities.

Education and Experience:

• A Ph.D. in Immunology or Virology is required;


• Minimum of five years of relevant independent research experience, either in a university or corporate setting, following postdoctoral training.


• Minimum of five years of clinical trials experience in developing countries is required.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in vaccines and assay development is required.


• Proven track record of excellence with an international reputation and publication record.


• Experience managing scientific projects and staff to deliver high quality data to meet project goals and deadlines is required.


• Strong organizational skills with proven experience in building strong, coherent and efficient teams are required.


• Solid reasoning and analytical skills are required.


• Experience in working in a decentralized system, and maintaining close working relationships with various departments, contractors, clinical centers and clinical and basic science laboratories.


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.


• Proven ability to present programs to audiences ranging from high level scientists, clinical investigators and physicians, clinical trials execution teams and non-scientists is highly desirable.


• Previous work in a multicultural environment is required.


• Understanding of and experience with implementation of Good Clinical laboratory Practices in infectious disease clinical trials conduct is highly desirable.


• Willingness to travel at least 20-25% of the time to IAVI regional and head offices.


• Passion for the IAVI Mission.