Director of International Programmes in Glasgow

To provide strategic leadership, management, and direction for the development and wider rollout of symbiont-based disease control approaches. To initiate contact with, advise and negotiate new contracts with Governments to ensure wider rollout of these approaches. To oversee international teams working in two consortia on the control of dengue virus using Wolbachia and developing malaria control using symbionts. To provide day-to-day management and co-ordination of the two consortia. The postholder will co-ordinate a portfolio of initiatives, manage and monitor project budgets, provide the PI with detailed project status reports, and assist in reporting on the progress and achievements to the consortia funders.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic planning process for uptake of symbiont-based disease approaches and shape the long-term strategic direction of symbiont-based dengue control interventions.
• Ensure the current programmes meet stated objectives and that these are aligned to the needs of stakeholders.
• Participate in writing a strategic business plan for the formation of a Social Enterprise to aid wider rollout of Wolbachia technology.
• Develop operational plans for Wolbachia interventions for existing partner countries and potentially for new partner countries, including staff training needs.
• Take a senior role in developing a robust implementation plan to ensure the delivery of the consortia objectives, leading and managing the day-to-day operational and administrative affairs.
• Manage and monitor the programme budgets to ensure maximum value is delivered for the resources deployed and to ensure ongoing financial support from funders.
• Oversee, manage and clerk the consortia governance and decision-making structures and systems.
• Coordinate the consortia programmes of international meetings and be willing to travel to attend these meetings as required.
• Develop, enhance and maintain effective working relationships with all project partners and stakeholders of the programme.
• Develop communications plans to ensure effective and transparent communications with partners and with communities in intervention sites.
• Promote the consortia and ensure that national and international researchers are aware of how to engage with the initiative.
• Manage the consortia information-sharing and data management systems and procedures.
• Provide high-level oversight and supervision of in-country consortia teams in Burkina Faso, Paraguay, Malaysia and the UK (over 70 people).
• Act as the principal administrative liaison point for the consortia with funders and stakeholders, leading on the provision of information about and reporting on the consortia activities and operations.
• Identify potential for additional bids and potential income generating opportunities.
• Undertake any other relevant duties as directed by the PI.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Qualifications/Knowledge

• Essential: A1 PhD or equivalent in Medical Entomology or related, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).
• A2 Knowledge of project management techniques and tools and their application in a vector control context.
• A3 Understanding of the contractual, legal and financial matters in relation to research contracts, collaborative agreements, confidentiality agreements, consultancy agreements, service agreements and other such documents relevant to this type of transaction.
• A4 Understanding of the academic environment including the complex mix of pressures, constraints, motivations and risk/reward positions of academic staff, schools, and the institution.

• Desirable: B1 Postgraduate/Professional qualification in a relevant subject area, such as MPH (Masters in Public Health).
• B2 Knowledge of and previous interactions with the funders active in this field.

Skills

• Essential: C1 Proven high level communication skills with the ability to communicate at all levels, including high levels of Government in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).
• C2 Strong report/proposal writing skills with proven ability to produce reports, presentations and technical documents for a variety of audiences.
• C3 Proven analytical and problem-solving capabilities with excellent qualitative and quantitative analytical skills.
• C4 High level of competence with systems designed to support project management; improve team communications, information and data dissemination.
• C5 Ability to multitask, work flexibly and adapt to changing environments.
• C6 Ability to network effectively with high level of influencing, negotiating and diplomacy skills.
• C7 Proven ability to liaise and cooperate across organisational and geographical boundaries.
• C8 Flexible, committed, reliable and enthusiastic approach with ability to work as part of a team with staff at all levels. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• C9 The ability to use initiative and creativity to resolve problems and identify and assess practical options.
• C10 Ability to work under minimum of supervision.

• Experience
• Essential: E1. Depth of experience of successfully managing and delivering multi-disciplinary collaborative programmes in multiple countries.
• E2. Experience of managing and monitoring programme resources across countries.
• E3. Experience of providing high calibre operational leadership and direction within a complex multi-stakeholder high profile context.
• E4. Experience of supervising staff.
• E5. Knowledge of the public health funding environment.
• E6. Experience working with Governments in low and middle-income countries on vector control interventions.
• E7. Experience of developing, planning, and managing large complex projects.
• E8. Relevant technical expertise in medical entomology and in communications, specifically in community engagement with respect to the implementation of novel mosquito control methods.

• Desirable: F1. Experience of operating “on the road” as international travel will be required.
• F2. Relevant experience gained within the Higher Education sector.

Additional Information

This post is full time and has funding until 31 January 2028 in first instance. Salary will be Grade 9, £57,696 - £64,914 per annum. The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship. As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity. As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared. 3 A flexible approach to working.