Head of the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat

Salary: £100,200

Closing date: Tuesday, 10 June 2025

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (c.10 months)

Interview dates: 23 and 25 of June

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. We plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health. These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won't be solved by science alone. Join Wellcome in the critical area of infectious disease, where we strive to understand the origins and drivers of disease escalation. Our mission is to deliver accessible, affordable solutions that mitigate the impact of infections globally, with local leadership and active community involvement.

We are at the forefront of the 100 Days Mission, an initiative endorsed by G7 and G20 Leaders, which focuses on rapidly developing vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics in the crucial first 100 days of a pandemic threat. To advance this effort, Wellcome hosts the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat, ensuring timely and effective responses to future health challenges. We are looking for a Head to join the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat, on a fixed term basis to support the development and delivery of the secretariat's workplan in order to accelerate implementation of the 100 days mission.

Where in Wellcome will I be working?

You will be working within the Policy & Partnerships Team at Wellcome, specifically focusing on the 100 Days Mission and the running of the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat. This involves developing rapid response strategies and enhancing efforts for pandemic preparedness and control.

What will I be doing?

You will be leading the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat, driving the development and delivery of the secretariat's workplan to accelerate the implementation of the 100 Days Mission, fostering global health resilience for everyone.

As the Head of International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat, you will:

• Oversee the delivery of an ambitious workplan by facilitating collaboration between governments, private sector, global health actors, and the WHO to drive progress using multidisciplinary discussions and scientific input from the 100DM Science and Technology Expert Group;
• Oversee delivery of IPPS's priority workstreams including the establishment of the Therapeutics Development Coalition;
• Oversee production of independent annual reports and scorecards to monitor progress across the 100DM recommendations, with a focus on commitments from industry and non-government organisations not covered by existing accountability frameworks.
• Represent IPPS externally speaking at global conferences and convenings to raise awareness and support for 100DM objectives.
• Offer scientific advice to G7 and G20 presidencies and partner organisations, suggesting actions and best practices to bolster global preparedness for future pandemics, when requested.
• Lead strategic initiatives and projects within the secretariat, collaborating with Steering Group and Science and Technology Group chairs, and guide team activities to meet annual objectives.
• Ensure high-quality, consistent, and strategically valuable outputs across secretariat communications, reports, and governance meeting papers.
• Cultivate a supportive, diverse, and inclusive environment within the secretariat and wider stakeholder community, maintaining neutrality among partners and efficiently managing team development and budgetary constraints.

Is this job for me?

In this pivotal role at IPPS, you will use your excellent communication skills to represent the organisation and uphold the quality of team outputs. If you are self-motivated, have a strategic mindset, and possess significant experience in global health, working collaboratively with senior governance structures and multilateral institutions, then this role is tailored for you. Your ability to manage stakeholders, lead complex projects, and deliver high-quality policy advice will be key to driving forward meaningful change in a dynamic and evolving environment.

To apply for this role please submit an update CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria:

• Understanding of the global health landscape, significant experience working with multilateral institutions and industry partners.
• Significant and demonstrable experience of delivering high quality policy and advocacy projects, including analysis and products.
• Proven track record of maintaining diverse networks of senior stakeholders to deliver change.
• Team leadership and people management skills - ability to develop and motivate people to deliver objectives.

Our Hybrid Way of Working

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best. At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.