Technical Policy Officer, International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat

Salary: £39,500

Closing date:  1 April 2026

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract – End date: 1 March 2027

Interview date: 1st stage (w/c 13 April 2026)

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns and building partnerships. 

We plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health and wellbeing and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health. 

These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won’t be solved by science alone. 

Wellcome is supporting the implementation of the 100 Days Mission through the establishment of the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat.

We are looking for a Technical Policy Officer to join the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat Team.

 

Where in Wellcome will I be working? 

You will be supporting policy projects in pursuit of the International Pandemic Preparedness secretariat’s objectives.

The first 100 days when faced with a pandemic or epidemic threat are crucial to changing its course. That’s the goal of the 100 Days Mission, which was agreed following a report to G7 Leaders in June 2021. The report proposes that in the first 100 days from a pandemic threat being identified, the following interventions should be available, safe, effective and affordable:

• accurate and approved rapid point of care diagnostic tests
• an initial regimen of therapeutics
• vaccines ready to be produced at scale for global deployment.
  
  

To deliver on these ambitions, G7 chief scientific advisers called for the establishment of an independent International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat to maintain progress towards the 100 Days Mission.

What will I be doing?

You will help the IPPS team with policy projects in pursuit of the International Pandemic Preparedness secretariat’s objectives to support implementation of the 100-day mission and assist with the co-ordination and logistics of team activities ensuring the smooth running of the team and the establishment of the secretariat.

As a Technical Policy Officer, you will:

• Work with Senior Technical Advisors in executing the ambitious workplan for the 100 Day Mission by facilitating scientific exchange, private sectors and global health institutions, producing annual reports on progress and providing guidance to G7, G20 presidencies and partner organisations for improving global pandemic readiness.
• Direct technical and analytical work by leading report sections, synthesising evidence, drafting policy language, contributing to position papers, preparing briefings for stakeholders like IPPS co-chairs, supporting diagnostics and therapeutics workstreams and analysing evidence to determine its impact on science policy issues.
• Provide secretariat support for the 100DM Science and Technology Expert Group by preparing papers and managing logistics for meetings, while enhancing relationships with stakeholders from science, academia and research institutes and representing IPPS in external meetings and discussions.
• Oversee project management and operations by coordinating report production, managing finances and ensuring compliance, leading the writing of several sections of the annual implementation report and liaising with Wellcome corporate teams on budgeting, people management and communications.
  
  

Is this job for me?  

This is an exciting role for an early career professional to expand their experience and expertise in the international and scientific processes needed to rapidly and equitably develop medical countermeasures for pandemic threats.

We are looking for somebody who has:

• A passion for creating policy change in International Health.
• Excellent communication abilities, capable of conveying messages effectively both verbally and in written form.
• Strong critical thinking skills and is persistent, adaptable and can effectively navigate and work within ambiguous situations.
• The ability to build strong working relationships and relate to people at all levels of seniority.
• Good time management and prioritisation skills to work on multiple projects with different paces and deadlines.
  
  

To apply for this role please submit an updated CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria:

• Experience in the global health ecosystem and technical aspects of product development and a passion for creating policy change in International Health.
• Strong writing skills with the ability to clearly synthesise complex material independently.
• Project management expertise, including the ability to handle multiple workstreams at varying paces and a strong organisational approach.
• Effective communication skills, both in person and in writing, with a focus on conveying messages clearly.
  
  

You can view the full job description here - Technical Policy Officer IPPS - JD.docx

You can read more about the benefits we offer our employees on our website.

Our Hybrid Way of Working 

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best. We are currently working 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) from our Euston Road offices (as part of our hybrid Ways of Working) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition. Please visit our website for more information on adjustments and accessibility, or contact us at jobs@wellcome.org.

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