Research Coordinator

More about the Access to Medicine Foundation

The Access to Medicine Foundation is an independent, non-profit organisation based in Amsterdam. Our mission is to stimulate and guide pharmaceutical companies to do more for the 2 billion people worldwide who cannot access the medicines they need. The core pillar of our work is researching how pharmaceutical companies address the availability, affordability and accessibility of their products inlow- and middle-income countries. To turn our research into real-world change, we engage with leading organisations, including companies, governments, NGOs and asset managers.

Our primary research products, the Access to Medicine Index and the Antimicrobial Resistance Benchmark, are valued by a wide network of experts and external stakeholders including healthcare companies and industry watchers, governments, international agencies such as the United Nations and World Health Organisation, pharma journalists, investors and global health professionals and academics. The Foundation also publishes stand-alone studies about the pharmaceutical industry. It identifies best practices, highlights where progress is being made and uncovers where critical action is still required. The Foundation strategy today encompasses more companies, including more generic medicine manufacturers, as well as incorporates more non-communicable diseases in its work, such as diabetes.

With these tools and outreach work, the Foundation provides both an incentive and a guide for healthcare companies to do more to improve access to medicine. Each new product brings new opportunities to stimulate change and to advance the global debate on access to medicine. Quality research and analysis are essential activities within the Access to Medicine Foundation to achieve these change making goals.

Get a sense of how our work is used in the media and across the global health community.

The Research Coordinator, working within the Access to Medicine Index (ATMI) team, supports the management and execution of the Foundation’s ATMI programme by providing both project coordination and research support. This role is split approximately 70% research and 30% coordination, offering a unique opportunity to engage in analytical work while also contributing to project management and external engagement.

Main duties and responsibilities:          

• Contribute to ATMI research tasks. This includes data collection and analysis on relevant research topics, as well as other ad hoc tasks, literature reviews, etc. that might arise.

• Assist the Research Programme Manager (RPM) with the planning and management of relevant programme milestones and deliverables, including maintaining an up-to-date dashboard for tracking and reporting on the programme’s progress on a regular basis.

• Proactively identify delays and deviations and revise programme plans to ensure timeline completion.

• Collaborate efficiently with other staff members in the research team(s) and teams within the Foundation, including those in charge of engagement, communications, operations and data management, ensuring an adequate flow of information from and to the different teams.

• With strategic input from the RPM, coordinate, manage and address requests from internal Foundation teams on specific research outputs and/or information about the ATMI.

• Assist with preparation of reports in response to requests for information from internal Foundation teams and external stakeholders.

• Coordinate engagement with external stakeholders to support the delivery of key research outputs related to ATMI, such as for: seeking feedback on proposed methodologies/assessment frameworks and sourcing data. Responsibilities include tracking stakeholder engagement, managing agendas, scheduling as needed, and ensuring follow-ups.

• Support engagement with external stakeholders, by preparing pre-meeting briefs and research project summaries, as well as participating and presenting in meetings on behalf of RT. This includes documenting key discussions and action items in the Foundation’s CRM system.

• Maintain documentation of team research processes, as well as review and recommend improvements to existing research methodologies.

• When required, assist or conduct trainings for new in-house research team members. 

• When required, represent and stand in for the RPM at internal coordination meetings, including Project Steering Committees and other internal forums.

Profile and essential skills:

• A Master’s degree or PhD. in health, global health or pharmaceutical sciences

• 3+ years’ experience working on global health topics

• Experience working with the pharmaceutical sector and global health partners in LMICs is preferred. 

• 3-5 years’ experience conducting research, drafting recommendations and briefings.

• Proficient written and spoken English; Strong writing skills in English.

• Ability to master new technical and thematic knowledge and summarize complex information.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Highly organised with a strong team spirit.

• Self-starter and ability to meet tight timelines.

What we offer you

• A dynamic, innovative, working environment with an international team based in our Amsterdam office.

• Hybrid options available: 2-3 days per week in our office in Amsterdam, with the option to work from your home in the Netherlands on the remaining days.

• Benefits include 25 holidays on an annual basis based on a fulltime employment, mandatory company pension scheme, holiday allowance and reimbursement of public transport to work (if living beyond 10km from the office).

How to apply

Interested in this exciting opportunity? Please send the following documents to Mrs. Mireille Deen at recruitment@accesstomedicinefoundation.org:

• a cover letter with your motivation on why you would like to join the Access to Medicine Foundation and how you think you will fit in our team

• your resume

• the contact details of two references (e-mail address and/or phone number)

• one writing sample (e.g., published article, white paper, thesis).

The application will not be considered unless it is complete and all supporting documentation has been provided. There will be no compensation for relocation costs.