Job Description
Medicines Patent Pool Foundation
Description
About the Medicines Patent Pool Foundation
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to, and facilitate the development of, life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations. MPP’s mandate covers patented medicines for infectious diseases - HIV, TB, hepatitis C and also non-communicable diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, in addition to COVID-19 treatments and technologies.
MPP operates as a non-profit voluntary licensing mechanism through partnerships with originator pharmaceutical companies and generic manufacturers that facilitate access and promote innovation. The terms and conditions in MPP licences seek to improve treatment options for the broadest number of people living in LMICs and are negotiated on a case-by-case basis with each patent holder.
Positively impacting peoples’ lives is one of the main goals of MPP activities. MPP’s impact assessment is based on country-level modelling and contrasting MPP’s contribution to alternative scenarios where key WHO-recommended medicines would not have been available through MPP licences. For further information regarding our work, please visit our website
About the Role
MPP is a small but impactful organisation with a dedicated team of 50 professionals. Our success is built on strong, collaborative partnerships across diverse sectors, including private, public, research and academia, civil society organisations, and patients’ advocacy groups. As MPP Programme Finance Officer you will be part of our finance team, reporting directly to the Head of Finance and working cross-functionally with the senior management team, programme managers, and operations team to ensure all grants are properly allocated, monitored and reported in full compliance with donor requirements and organisational policies. You will be directly responsible for grants budgets development, financial reporting and audits preparation and will contribute to building financial capacity across teams and partners, strengthening systems, and ensuring accurate financial records.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Planning & Analysis
- Work with programme and technical teams to develop multi-year grant budget proposals
- Develop financial templates for reporting and analysis
- Ensure relevant tools and processes are in place for sub-grants review, assessment and management
- Ensure effective cash-flow management for grants receipts and disbursements
Grant Management and Reporting
- In collaboration with the programme and technical teams, ensure grant expenditure is allocated in accordance with donor’s financial guidelines and the approved budgets.
- Oversee procurement processes, ensuring strict compliance with donor and organisational policies
- Manage projects financial reporting, including subgrants, ensuring that financial and narrative reports are aligned and fully compliant with donor requirements and internal financial policies.
- Proactively manage financial risks related to grants
- Coordinate donors’ due diligence processes
- Coordinate grant audits preparation and execution, ensuring complete and accurate financial transactions and internal controls compliance
- Ensure the implementation of audit findings and recommendations
- Liaise with MPP finance team to ensure foreign currency exchange rate are applied correctly
Capacity building
- Maintain positive relationships with donors and partners by addressing all finance-related grant enquiries in a timely and accurate manner
- Provide technical support and train staff and partners on donor requirements, reporting requirements, procurement and financial policies
- Contribute to strengthening internal controls systems and developing effective and fit for purpose financial systems including software, policies and procedures
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Degree in finance, business administration or related field
- Minimum 5 years of experience in grants financial management, preferably with substantial experience in an INGO or UN organisation
- Experience managing grant audit and compliance requirements
- Experience in donor reporting and grants management, preferably to public donors (EU, international cooperation and national development agencies)
Desirable
- Professional accounting qualification
- Experience managing sub-grants
- Knowledge of ERP accounting system, preferably Business Central
- Knowledge of Power Automate and Power BI
Skills:
- Strong financial analysis, budgeting, and reporting skills
- Strong IT literacy with excellent MS Excel skills
- Familiarity with Swiss GAAP
- Fluent English
Personal Qualities
MPP’s richness lies in its staff: a small dynamic and multicultural team. To thrive in our team you must recognise yourself in our values: Respect, Courage, Generosity and Commitment.
Moreover, you will need to demonstrate the following qualities:
- Demonstrable personal commitment to the public health objectives of the MPP.
- Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to work autonomously, holding yourself accountable for assigned deliverables and timelines
- Sensitivity to different cultures and ways of working.
- Collaborative and supportive approach to teamwork
MPP respects all individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, HIV status or disability. All qualified applications are welcome.