Director, Africa Policy and Advocacy (Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania)

DIRECTOR, AFRICA
POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Shape policy. Strengthen partnerships. Advance access to malaria medicines.

About MMV

Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) is a leading product development partnership working to reduce the burden of malaria by discovering, developing and facilitating access to new, effective and affordable antimalarial medicines.

The opportunity

African policy priorities and partnerships are central to the fight against malaria. MMV is seeking a Director, Africa Policy and Advocacy to lead its Africa policy and advocacy portfolio and strengthen the contribution of African perspectives to its global advocacy agenda.

This is an opportunity to combine strategic leadership with practical policy influence: building trusted relationships, identifying opportunities for collective action, and advancing policy conditions that support equitable access to malaria medicines.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Advocacy, you will lead the delivery of MMV’s Africa policy and advocacy portfolio within the organisation’s overall advocacy strategy. The role focuses on public policy engagement and advocacy to strengthen political and institutional support for equitable access to malaria medicines, working closely with colleagues who support evidence generation and national malaria treatment and prevention policy processes. You will work closely with colleagues across advocacy, research and development, access, communications and resource mobilisation, bringing African policy perspectives and country realities into MMV’s wider advocacy work.

Your key responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Africa policy and advocacy workplan under the direction of the Senior Director, Advocacy, translating agreed priorities into regional engagement and action.

• Build and sustain relationships with governmental, parliamentary, intergovernmental and global health stakeholders across Africa.

• Strengthen MMV’s regional advocacy network and coordinate engagement with partners, consultants and other approved resources.

• Bring regional evidence, policy priorities and stakeholder insights into MMV’s global positions and advocacy activities.

• Advise senior colleagues on emerging policy opportunities, risks and reputational considerations.

• Work across MMV to ensure that advocacy is informed by scientific, access and product priorities, with clear objectives and coordinated implementation.

What you will bring

• Substantial experience leading policy and advocacy initiatives in African health policy environments.

• Evidence of influencing policy or institutional agendas through credible analysis, sustained engagement and effective partnerships.

• Strong understanding of African governmental and regional policy processes, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.

• Experience representing an organisation with senior decision-makers and building relationships across institutions and sectors.

• The ability to translate technical evidence into clear policy arguments, briefings and recommendations.

• Experience coordinating people, partners or consultants and turning strategy into delivery.

• Sound judgement, political awareness and the ability to work independently while collaborating across a geographically distributed organisation.

Experience in malaria, access to medicines or related global health policy would be particularly relevant.

Location and employment

This is a home-based role with an Africa-wide remit, intended for local recruitment in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania or Nigeria. The successful candidate will be employed through an Employer of Record in the agreed country and will work as part of MMV’s team. Appointment is subject to confirmation of local employment eligibility and country feasibility. Relocation and immigration sponsorship are not provided. This is a three-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of renewal.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a concise cover letter outlining your interest in the role and examples of how you have influenced health policy or advanced advocacy priorities in Africa.
Please submit by 6 December 2026.

Our commitment to inclusion

MMV strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities and welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process.

For more information about MMV and its mission, please visit www.mmv.org.

Recruitment agencies are kindly requested not to submit applications.