Brief Job Overview

• The General Manager (GM) role will be responsible for the development and execution of USP’s strategies to advance public health in the Africa region through the utilization of USP quality standards and solutions.
• This role has direct responsibility for developing and executing strategies for engaging continental bodies, regional bodies, national regulatory authorities, national control laboratories as well as pharmaceutical manufacturers associations and pharmaceutical manufacturers, building on existing USP work and relationships.
• The GM will apply an in-depth understanding of the market and challenges to establish strong and collaborative relationships with leading public officials and stakeholders, representing the organization at high-level events.
• The GM will work closely with the Middle East North Africa (MENA) GM as well as the donor-funded Global Health and Manufacturing Services staff in both HQ and throughout Africa to ensure a coordinated and seamless presentation of USP’s services for the region. USP has had a long-standing presence throughout Africa, implementing externally-funded programs and collaborating with key stakeholders at regional and local levels, including donors, regulators, manufacturers, Africa CDC, AMA, the African Union, etc. It will be key to ensure that this work can continue and external visibility and advocacy efforts present “one voice” for the organization.
• Moreover, the GM will lead and inspire local leadership and staff, be a model of USP Core Values, and collaborate across USP’s global organization.

This role requires employee to be based either in South Africa OR Kenya .
How will YOU create impact here at USP?

• In this role at USP, you contribute to USP's public health mission of increasing equitable access to high-quality, safe medicine and improving global health through public standards and related programs.
• In addition, as part of our commitment to our employees, Global, People, and Culture, in partnership with the Equity Office, regularly invests in the professional development of all people managers.
• This includes training in inclusive management styles and other competencies necessary to ensure engaged and productive work environments.

The Director, Regional General Manager Has The Following Responsibilities

• Strengthen USP Presence : Build on exiting efforts, lead and manage USP Africa region aligned with USP corporate culture, mission, and public health programs in the region. Cross-share intelligence and collaborate as appropriate to bring the best of USP to the region given overlap with MENA GM and existing GHMS portfolio of work.
• Strategy and Execution : Lead the development and execution of plans and programs that position USP as the preferred scientific partner on all matters relating to pharmaceutical quality. Initial emphasis should be made with Regulators, followed by Industry and Donors.
• USP has an existing GM and presence in the MENA region which has found a direct correlation between regulator support and utilization of USP standards (and subsequently increased supply of quality medicines). It is expected that the Africa GM will focus on developing and maintaining relationships with regulators, understanding their needs, and mapping them to USP existing or tailored products in an effort to first secure regulator support and endorsement, prior to expanding outreach to industry.
• USP has an existing presence and relationships throughout Africa, primarily through its externally funded global health programs. The role will be responsible for understanding the totality of the USP engagement in the region, partnering with existing staff to develop and align on engagement strategies on the given region/country’s needs, so as to coordinate and ultimately optimize USP impact in the region.
• Regulatory and Public Affairs/Stakeholder Engagement (RPA): Develop and maintain productive relationships with regional and continental bodies (e.g., AMRH, AMA, Africa CDC, etc.) as well as national regulatory authorities, national control laboratories, and pharmaceutical associations to understand regulatory challenges, to educate how USP solutions and standards can be applied to resolve challenges and ultimately strengthen regulatory frameworks and quality supply of medicines.
• Customer Engagement (CE) : Drive market intimacy by representing USP in various industry forums; build and strengthen USP’s brand awareness. Administratively manage locally-based CE SCD staff and be accountable for performance in achieving regional CE goals.
• Global Health/ Donor Funded Work: Work collaboratively with global health and donor funded leadership to be aware of their programs and capabilities and be prepared for synergistic opportunities.
• Collaborations : Seek and implement strategic collaborations with key stakeholders to advance public health objectives that align with USP’s capabilities and strategic plan.
• Matrix Management : Ensure that regionally-based management collaborates closely with counterparts from across the USP global organization.
• Compliance : Ensure strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the USP Code of Conduct.
• Talent and Leadership Development : Ensure talent recruitment, development and retention as well the establishment of a leadership pipeline.
• Other duties as assigned.

Who is USP Looking For?
The Successful Candidate Will Have a Demonstrated Understanding Of Our Mission, Commitment To Excellence Through Inclusive And Equitable Behaviors And Practices, Ability To Quickly Build Credibility With Stakeholders, Along With The Following Competencies And Experience

• Advanced degree preferred (e.g., MSc, MPP, MPH, with MBA) or other related graduate-level education.
• Strategic insight, intellectual capability, and collaborative mindset.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of leadership experience developing and influencing regulatory and policy in multiple African countries (e.g., at pharmaceutical organizations, other global NGOs, etc).
• Minimum of five (5) years of general management experience including demonstrated success leading small teams through strategic planning, program execution, and ultimately successful achievement of business outcomes and impact.
• Work in Kenya OR South Africa.

Additional Desired Preferences

• Experience in working with and managing distributor relationships.
• Experience in external-facing roles such as: customer engagement, regulatory & government affairs, communications, public affairs, corporate affairs.
• At least five (5) years of successful executive-level experience in a multi-national pharmaceutical or reference standards organization, working in a role with multi-functional responsibility.
• At least five (5) years of successful experience managing an organization or a company.
• Experience managing profit-and-loss (P&L).
• Fluency in French.
• Strong scientific literacy.
• Public health literacy.
• Proven application of strategic thinking, project management and change management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize, prioritize, and evaluate market trends and specific growth opportunities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills (e.g., negotiation, listening and communication skills) characterized by effective interactions with a diverse range of internal and external constituents, stakeholders and audiences.
• A leadership style that motivates others to follow, leads by example, and obtains results through others.
• Action-orientation and a decisive, quick study with proven ability to accurately synthesize information.
• Ability to handle changes and proven record of result-driven outcomes.