Ethiopia, like many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), faces significant challenges in accessing affordable in vitro diagnostic (IVD) testing and effective treatments. Ensuring the availability of affordable, high-quality disease testing and safe treatments is crucial for enhancing healthcare services and promoting economic growth. The Armhauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), a biomedical and clinical research institute affiliated with the Ministry of Health (MOH), is stepping up to address these challenges by developing local health products. Initially focusing on basic health products, AHRI leverages its expertise in IVD tests and herbal-based treatments for priority diseases not covered by global initiatives. By promoting and showcasing these products, AHRI aims to stimulate local manufacturing, build capacity, and attract investments, ultimately striving for self-sufficiency in healthcare solutions.

To successfully make transition of AHRI's health innovations to commercialization, the institute requires a business development expert 

 This role is essential for understanding current and future market demands, conducting market analyses, identifying key stakeholders, and fostering public-private partnerships (PPPs). The ideal candidate will have strong business acumen, conduct market research related to translating ARHI innovative health products to local production, a deep understanding of the public sector particularly the regulatory environment, Knowledge translation pathways and exceptional relationship-building skills to drive collaborative initiatives that align with AHRI’s mission and goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct thorough stakeholder mapping and stakeholder analysis to clearly understand stakeholders with interest and influence related to transitioning innovate products to local production.

• Conduct market research for AHRI’s innovative health products;

• Create strategic partnership with key stakeholders based on the results of the stakeholders analysis;

• Identify opportunities that can be leveraged and harnessed to effectively translate innovative products to local production; 

• Form and maintain strong working relationships with AHRI’s scientific, operational, and product development and marketing teams to define product development requirements and execute initiatives.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, identifying current and future needs and aligning with AHRI’s strategy.

• Lead negotiations with private sector partners to develop mutually beneficial partnership agreements.

• Prepare different guidelines including intellectual property rights for mutually beneficial partnership agreements.

• Ensure business contracts or partnerships align with the institute’s interests and comply with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

• Support the management team in business planning and strategic direction.

• Conduct feasibility studies, develop business cases, and secure necessary approvals and funding in order to translate innovative products into local production

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of business initiatives.

• Monitor and evaluate partnership performance, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations for adjustments.

• Identify new products and service offerings and communicate these effectively within and outside the institute.

• Conduct market research and analysis to identify business partnerships, competitive landscape, and healthcare service needs.

• Develop and present business proposals tailored to the needs of business partners, local manufacturers, government, and NGOs.

• Identify new opportunities, negotiate contractual terms, and close deals in collaboration with the legal office of AHRI

• Liaise with Marketing to identify opportunities to raise AHRI’s profile with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

• Develop and maintain documentation, training materials, and support resources to enable successful adoption and usage of marketing technology platforms

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Competences

• Master of Business administration (MBA), MSc in health supply chain management, Pharmacy, Biotechnology,  Health economics, and related fields

• Proven track record in business development and partnership building, preferably in the health sector

• Strong understanding of public-private partnerships, including financial structuring, risk assessment, and contract negotiation.

• Strong entrepreneurship skills 

Experiences

• Extensive Experience: A minimum of 10 years of experience in business development or related fields, with a proven track record of success in marketing health products

  • Sector-Specific Expertise: Demonstrated experience working in or collaborating with actors in the health sector, with a preference for those with a background in biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

  • Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication abilities, both written and verbal, with the capability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.

  • Relationship Building: A proven ability to cultivate and maintain strong professional relationships, with a knack for influencing decision-makers.

  • Time Management Proficiency: Excellent organizational skills with a strong ability to prioritize tasks, manage time efficiently, and adapt to changing schedules and demands.

  • Goal-Oriented Drive: Self-motivated and driven to achieve targets, with a goal-oriented mindset and a strong focus on performance and results.

  • Multilingual Proficiency: Fluency in English is required, with a preference for candidates who are proficient in at least two local languages.

  • Cultural Awareness: Understanding of the local context and ability to navigate the complexities of working within the Ethiopian business and research environment.

Duty station: Addis Ababa AHRI Head Office

Number required: 1 (One)

Terms of employment: one year contract period with full time employment basis with possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability

Salary: As per the scale of the institution.

How to Apply: 

Interested applicants who fulfil the above requirements should send the following through THIS LINK

Submit your application letter (detailing your motivation and suitability), CV (maximum of three pages with clear indication of your educational background, experience, list of major publications and three references along with their Email) and copies of your documents and certificates as one PDF file. 

NB: Please use your full name as file name for submitted CV and supportive document