Senior Strategic Engagement Adviser, International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat

Salary: £ 55,483

Closing date: Thursday, 25 July 2024

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract – end date: 01/03/2027

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.

Within the area of infectious disease Wellcome supports projects that increase our understanding of the sources of infectious disease and the factors that drive disease escalation. Through global cooperation, local leadership, and work with affected communities, Wellcome aims to develop accessible and affordable solutions to control the impact of infections.

The first 100 days when faced with a pandemic or epidemic threat are crucial to changing its course.

As shown during the response to Covid-19, the faster we can develop safe, effective and affordable vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for an escalating infectious disease, the more lives we can save.

That’s the goal of the 100 Days Mission, which was agreed following a report to G7 Leaders in June 2021. The report proposes that in the first 100 days from a pandemic threat being identified, the following interventions should be available, safe, effective and affordable:

Accurate and approved rapid point of care diagnostic tests

An initial regimen of therapeutics

Vaccines ready to be produced at scale for global deployment.

To deliver on these ambitions, G7 chief scientific advisers called for the establishment of an independent International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat to maintain progress towards the 100 Days Mission.

Wellcome is supporting the implementation of the 100 Days Mission through the establishment of the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat.

We are looking for a Senior Strategic Engagement Adviser to join our team.

Where in Wellcome will I be working?

You will be working in the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS) within the Policy team reporting to the Head of Secretariat for IPPS.

What will I be doing?

You will support the Head and Deputy head of Secretariat to deliver strategic engagement aspects of an ambitious workplan to meet the secretariat’s objectives to Ensure continued momentum and catalyze scientific exchange on the progress of the 100DM , ensure join up between states, private sector and global health institutions, working with WHO (World Health Organisation) as a key partner.

As a Senior Strategic Engagement Adviser, you will be responsible for :

Lead development, implementation and adaptation of the secretariat’s communication strategy, aligning with workplan and key secretariat events, update and manage communications toolkit , identify opportunities for secretariat and STEG members to amplify 100DM messaging as well as develop and sustaining media relationships to support communication of 100DM – including in different region, and develop approach for regionlisation of 100DM messaging, to ensure it translates to the international context in which we work. And develop materials, products and messaging to support and improve advocacy for the 100DM building on work of external suppliers.

Stakeholder engagement and identify and build relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and use these to deliver impact, develop new knowledge in 100DM and confidently and effectively and use this knowledge and expertise to inform the secretariats and stakeholders messaging and lead on event planning for report launches and major events.

Website and social media content, managing relationship with website developer, and work closely to update website in alignment with communications strategy as well as working with communications agency

Develop and implement social media strategy and content for the Secretariat

 Contribute to a diverse and inclusive culture across the organisation, collaborating across departments.

Is this job for me? 

The IPPS is a small team (c. 7 people) albeit with a vast range of stakeholders and complex set of scientific and policy issues to move forward, as such, partnership is critical to all we do. IPPS exists to support, convene and advocate for existing actors with critical potential to make the 100DM achievable. We are looking for a highly motivated Senior Strategic Engagement Adviser who believes in the vision of the 100DM and is willing to work with both passion and humility to ensure the world is equipped with the tools it needs to bring future epidemics under control. We are looking for someone who enjoys distilling detailed technical information to make a compelling case for action to decision makers. As well as someone with the skills and knowledge to find solutions to improving efficiency and equity within pandemic product development.

We are looking for someone with:

Experience in stakeholder relations/engagement role, managing stakeholders across different sectors and geographies.

Experience in strategic communications and/or advocacy.

Knowledge of global health, and the global health landscape.

Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical information to digestible communications outputs for different audiences including government and well-developed communication skills, including good writing skills with ability to synthesise information clearly and concisely 

Experience building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and keen interest in global health policy, politics and international affairs

Excellent organisational skills, with ability to manage a challenging and fluctuating workload and competing priorities.

To apply please upload your current CV and complete our short application

Interview dates: 12, 13 and 14 of August

You can view the full on our website

You can read more about the benefits we offer our employees on our

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. We are currently working 2 days per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from our Euston Road offices (as part of our hybrid Ways of Working) with the remaining 3 days working either remotely or in the office.

 From 1st September 2024 we will move to 3 days in the office (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

. 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.