Senior Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiatives Lead

at  CEPI

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCE

• Minimum 7-10 years of professional experience in global health security, pandemic preparedness, biosecurity, biosafety, or related field, including experience designing and implementing capacity building programs in low- and middle- income countries
• Knowledge of global, regional, and national regulations, policies, norms, and practices for biosafety and biosecurity risk identification, assessment, and mitigation
• A thorough understanding of the dynamic landscape across global health and health security,
• Proven track record of managing biosecurity programs and leading capacity-building initiatives
• In-depth knowledge of biosecurity, global health security, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
• Experience with policy and program efforts related to One Health, pandemic preparedness, and infectious disease research and capacity strengthening; health/security collaboration a plus
• Professional experience working on biosafety and biosecurity issues from roles in different sectors a plus (e.g., government, civil society, industry)
• Ability to thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines, backgrounds, and cultures
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to communicate effectively in English across organization, with senior leaders and with external partners
• Strong leadership and project management capabilities
• Preferred PhD in a relevant discipline (life sciences, health, security, public policy, international affairs)

TRAVEL AND LOCATION REQUIREMENTS

• This role can be based in Norway/UK/US

ABOUT THE ROLE

CEPI’s mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biological countermeasures against diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential and enable access to these countermeasures for the populations that need them. In pursuing this mission, CEPI contributes to managing the inherent biological risks of the 21st century, regardless of origin.
In support of CEPI’s vision for “a world in which epidemics and pandemics are no longer a threat to humanity”, and its organizational mission and the CEPI 2.0 strategy, CEPI established a new, dedicated biosecurity function in August 2023, enabled by generous support from Global Affairs Canada. As CEPI works to prevent accidental and deliberate misuse of pathogens, CEPI seeks a Senior Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiatives Lead to design and implement novel initiatives to enhance biosafety and biosecurity capabilities of CEPI partners for achieving the 100 Days mission safely and securely. The Senior Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiatives Lead will report to the Director of Biosecurity and work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders in civil society, government, and industry.
In recent years, CEPI has forged biosafety and biosecurity partnerships with regional leaders like Africa CDC and established geographically diverse lab networks, including the Animal Model Network, Centralized Lab Network, and Sustainable Manufacturing Network, to support its vaccine and biologic development mission and mandate. Through these partnerships CEPI-supported labs are well positioned to help accelerate application of globally recognized biosafety and biosecurity norms, principles, and practices, including for the implementation of performance-based lab biosafety and biosecurity approaches, such as ISO 35001.
CEPI is also well positioned to drive the development of safer and more secure vaccine development technologies and approaches. Collectively, such innovations could canalize new approaches to biosafety and biosecurity risk management that could springboard institutions across the developed and developing world to the forefront of responsible, safe and secure, cutting-edge R&D&M in support of CEPI’s equity vision.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and implement comprehensive biosecurity innovation and capacity building initiatives in support of CEPI biosecurity priorities and tailored to the needs of CEPI-supported institutions.
• Oversee development of training materials and workshops to enhance biosecurity skills of CEPI staff and partners.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of capacity-building initiatives that focus on strengthening biosafety and biosecurity.
• Lead efforts to accelerate biosecurity innovation and strengthen biosecurity capabilities at CEPI-sponsored institutions.
• Forge and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society, and industry partners.
• Enhance bio incident identification capabilities at CEPI-supported institutions by developing and implementing robust detection and reporting systems.