About this role
Are you an experienced public affairs and policy professional looking to make an impact in healthcare across Sub-Saharan Africa? An exciting opportunity is available for a Head of Policy Advocacy SSA based in Nairobi.
This strategic leadership role is ideal for professionals with expertise in healthcare policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory affairs. The successful candidate will lead regional advocacy initiatives aimed at supporting sustainable access to innovative healthcare solutions across Africa.
Job Overview
Position: Head of Policy Advocacy SSA
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Industry: Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Sector
Function: Policy Advocacy and Public Affairs
About the Role
The Head of Policy Advocacy SSA will lead advocacy efforts on key healthcare and policy issues affecting Sub-Saharan Africa. The role focuses on shaping policy environments that support improved patient access to innovative medicines while advancing organizational priorities across the region.
Working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, the successful candidate will drive strategic policy initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and support sustainable healthcare systems across Africa.
Key Responsibilities
Healthcare Policy Advocacy
The successful candidate will spearhead advocacy initiatives related to major healthcare and policy priorities.
Responsibilities include:
Leading advocacy efforts on health financing, healthcare policy, regulatory harmonization, local manufacturing, competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and ESG-related issues.
Aligning regional advocacy initiatives with organizational policy priorities and business objectives.
Promoting policy positions that support improved access to innovative medicines across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development
Building strong relationships with key stakeholders is central to this role.
Key responsibilities include:
Developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with African institutions and healthcare stakeholders.
Positioning the organization as a trusted partner within healthcare policy and advocacy spaces.
Engaging with policymakers, regulators, industry associations, and regional organizations to influence healthcare policy development.
Policy Monitoring and Regulatory Analysis
The role requires continuous monitoring of the evolving healthcare policy landscape across Africa.
Duties include:
Monitoring policy developments within institutions such as the African Union, Africa CDC, African Medicines Agency (AMA), AfCFTA, and other relevant regional bodies.
Tracking regulatory harmonization initiatives and changes affecting the pharmaceutical sector.
Providing proactive analysis of political, regulatory, and healthcare trends across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Identifying emerging risks and opportunities that could affect access to healthcare innovations.
Representation and External Advocacy
The Head of Policy Advocacy SSA will represent the organization in key external forums.
Responsibilities include:
Participating in regional healthcare, pharmaceutical, and trade association committees.
Representing the organization in policy discussions, industry meetings, and advocacy platforms.
Building visibility and influence within regional healthcare policy networks.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Strong internal collaboration is essential for successful policy implementation.
The successful candidate will:
Collaborate with medical, value and access, operations, and portfolio teams to align advocacy efforts with business priorities.
Support launch readiness activities for pipeline products and new healthcare innovations.
Identify policy changes required to facilitate successful product launches and market access.
Work with regional and global public affairs teams to align advocacy priorities across therapeutic areas.
Strategic Policy Development
The role includes developing and coordinating strategic policy resources.
Key duties include:
Leading the development of policy position papers, white papers, and advocacy materials.
Coordinating portfolio-specific policy messaging across priority brands and assets.
Supporting integrated advocacy programs in collaboration with country teams.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Success in this role will be measured by the ability to:
Coordinate and implement policy strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
Support successful product launches through effective policy engagement.
Deliver integrated advocacy programs across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Strengthen external stakeholder relationships and partnerships.
Represent the organization effectively in regional policy and industry forums.
Required Skills and Competencies
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
Strong expertise in healthcare policy, public affairs, and advocacy.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
Deep understanding of healthcare systems and pharmaceutical policy environments in Africa.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
Exceptional communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
Ability to translate policy developments into actionable business insights.
Experience working across multicultural and cross-functional teams.
Why Apply for This Role?
This position offers a unique opportunity to influence healthcare policy and improve access to innovative medicines across Sub-Saharan Africa. Professionals in this role will engage with high-level stakeholders, shape regional healthcare discussions, and contribute to long-term improvements in healthcare access and sustainability.
Application Deadline
25 July 2026
