Job Description

Are you passionate about advancing healthcare and making a meaningful difference in the field of HIV & General Medicine? Join our dynamic team as a Medical Advisor in South Africa, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of medicines access and uptake. In this strategic position, you are a valued co-strategist on cross-functional country teams and will collaborate closely with market access, policy, regulatory, and marketing counterparts, as well as therapeutic area medical advisors across EEMEA markets, to ensure that the efforts in advanced management are optimized in South Africa.
The role reports directly to the Country Medical Director and will be responsible for the HIV & General Medicine portfolios.
ROLE SUMMARY

• The Medical Advisor holds primary responsibility within the country for the development and execution of the Medical Affairs strategic plans and, is expected to spend up a portion of their time in external engagements.
• Key responsibilities include cross-functional strategy collaboration and execution, building trust with the medical/scientific community, facilitating peer-to-peer medical and scientific exchange, and providing asset issue resolution support.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Activities: Develop and execute a comprehensive HIV & General Medicine Country Medical Affairs Plan (CMAP) and tactics for South Africa that align with global & regional strategies. Identify key activities and strategies related to the pipeline priorities, disease epidemiology, and potential clinical positioning and its uptake.
• Engagement with Scientific Community: Identify and cultivate relationships with scientific leaders and decision-makers. Conduct sustained dialogue within the South African scientific community, fostering the exchange of unbiased scientific knowledge for improved clinical practices, at the same time, consolidate actionable medical insights from the country that can help inform company strategies.
• Education and Insight Generation: Assess local education and data gaps, and lead medical education initiatives. Execute real-world evidence (RWE) studies and support Investigator-initiated study proposals as relevant.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work with cross-functional teams to share critical scientific insights and provide medical expertise for key meetings with governmental and health authorities and during educational symposia and congresses.
• Expertise Development: Maintain a high level of expertise in the HIV & General Medicine therapy areas, becoming a recognized scientific leader both internally and externally. Provide balanced, updated education to partners and stakeholders.
• Lead country advisory boards and group input meetings to inform company strategy.
• Provide therapeutic/functional training to assigned teams and affiliate functions.
• Act with ethics & integrity; provide non-promotional, balanced, reliable and scientific information, follow strictly company compliance processes, standards and local regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• MBBCh (preferred), PhD or Pharmacy Degree is the minimum requirement for this position, linked with the appropriate experience and the profile requirements for this position.
• A person with a post-graduate qualification in any discipline of medicine or management will be strongly preferred.
• Pharmaceutical industry experience is preferred.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience in pharmaceutical, medical aid, clinical research or private/public health sector.
• Strategic thinking, specifically related to asset value proposition, clinical and value evidence.
• Developing a network of scientific leaders and successful interactions with other key stakeholders (public groups, government officials, medical professional organizations) in therapy areas.
• Proven ability to effectively communicate information at country management level, with public groups and to scientific leaders.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, communication (written as well as oral) and results-oriented project management skills.
• Strong prioritization skills and ability to understand how decisions fit into the broader context of corporate strategies.
• Have the willingness and agility to work or move across various therapeutic areas as per business need.
• In a matrix environment, able to effectively collaborate across functions.
• Business acumen.
• Computer literacy.
• Valid driver's license.
• Must be willing to travel.
• High work ethic.

Why Join Us? This is a unique opportunity to influence the healthcare in South Africa and collaborate with experts in the field. You'll be part of a committed team striving to enhance the uptake of vaccines and ultimately improve community health outcomes. If you are ready to take on this exciting challenge and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you!
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Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status: Regular
Relocation:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Required Skills: Clinical Research, Commercial Acumen, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Data Analysis, General Medical Practice, Healthcare Education, Medical Affairs, Personal Initiative, Pharmaceutical Guidelines, Proactive Approach, Project Management, Strategic Thinking
Preferred Skills:
Job Posting End Date: 07/3/2025
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