Associate R&D Project and Partnership Lead

• 13 July 2026 • 100% • Indefinite duration • Geneva General Objective: The Associate R&D Project and Partnership Lead (AL) will be responsible for ensuring excellence in project management and end-to-end execution of one or more strategic development projects for GARDP. Working in close collaboration with the Associate Director, STI Portfolio (AD), R&D team members, external partners, and management, he/she will drive the successful implementation and delivery of comprehensive cross-cutting drug/treatment development plans within the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Portfolio, covering all transdisciplinary workflows and the full lifecycle, including clinical, manufacturing, and regulatory components. The AL ensures cross-cutting coordination and operational leadership, guaranteeing that development plans are coherent, resourced, managed in terms of risks, and executed in accordance with GARDP governance, donor requirements, and portfolio priorities. Responsibilities include proactive monitoring and management of the assigned project(s), ensuring that project objectives and deadlines are met in compliance with quality requirements and target budgets, as well as maintaining an efficient flow of information and communication between internal and external stakeholders. By maintaining clear visibility between execution at the project level and objectives at the portfolio level, the AL plays a key role in facilitating consolidated reporting and informed decision-making. Furthermore, the role includes active management of R&D partnerships and leadership of certain technical workflows, as delegated by the Associate Director and in accordance with the AL's expertise. As a team player and effective communicator, the Associate R&D Project and Partnership Lead must be able to energize and build consensus at the interface of multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams. Strong organizational skills and the ability to develop and manage successful collaborations with external and internal stakeholders are key success factors. Key Responsibilities: Project Management: · Responsible for the planning, integration, and management of the execution of the comprehensive cross-cutting Project Plan to deliver agreed milestones, deliverables, and results according to set performance and objectives, within the agreed scope and timeframe. · Collaborate with the Associate Director on defining project scope and objectives by working closely with relevant stakeholders (internal and external). Manage project scope, including identification, implementation, and management of changes to achieve project objectives. · Develop detailed task lists, work effort assessments, and short- and long-term resource/capacity requirement plans based on the contributions of all key actors and team members. Collaborate with Functional Leads on resource/skill requirements for the project. · Drive the project budget, procurement plan, and expenditure tracking to ensure clear visibility of project funding needs, its execution within the agreed budget, and compliance with GARDP and donor policies and requirements. · Ensure monitoring of the project's contractual framework and collaborate with contract operational managers to guarantee that contract execution and control comply with GARDP and donor policies and requirements. · Act as a key operational interface with external stakeholders, ensuring alignment on scope, deliverables, timelines, and governance. · Identify, measure, and escalate risks, potential obstacles, and relationship issues. Proactively implement and monitor mitigation measures and resolution plans. · Monitor, analyze, and report on project progress and performance, both internally and externally, in alignment with GARDP governance and reporting frameworks (i.e., managing and supporting the development of R&D governance meeting presentations and reports for the project and contributing to GARDP donor reporting). Responsible for project documentation and maintaining effective communication channels to provide accurate information to the R&D management team. · Plan, manage, and facilitate regular cross-cutting meetings of the core and extended project team, acting as the main point of contact for non-R&D departments (Legal, Procurement, Finance, Communication) and suppliers/service providers involved in the project. · Participate in the development of the project strategy and plan in close collaboration with the Associate Director and propose decisions on staffing, budget, and tactical prioritization. Workflow Leadership · Within the assigned project, lead or co-lead specific technical, regulatory, or operational workflows as agreed with the Associate Director. Ensure that workflow plans are integrated into the overall project plan, with clear deliverables, timelines, risks, and interfaces with other functions. · Lead internal experts and external partners contributing to the workflow, ensuring timely progress and problem resolution. Partnership Management · Responsible for ensuring excellence in the management of R&D partnerships and/or co-development collaborations associated with the project. Drive the definition and revision of the co-develop strategy and plan