Medical Advisor, Rare Disease

Do you have expertise in, and passion for science working in Rare Diseases and creating value for our customers and patients? If so, AstraZeneca might be the one for you!
AstraZeneca is accelerating the expansion of our geographical footprint in Rare Diseases following the acquisition of Alexion in 2021. Rare diseases are a high-growth therapy area with rapid innovation and significant unmet medical needs. Over 7,000 rare diseases are known today – yet less than 1% of them have an approved treatment. As we begin to build our position as a Rare Disease Leader, we seek a Medical Advisor to join our Medical Affairs Team in Bryanston.
ABOUT ASTRAZENECA
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused Biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. At AstraZeneca, we are dedicated to being a Great Place to Work, where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There is no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients, and society.
ABOUT THE MEDICAL TEAM?
You will be joining a top-performing medical team that combines medical expertise with a business mindset. Problem-solving comes naturally, and the team proactively takes ownership and is willing to step out of their comfort zones to achieve the best results, driven by an agile enterprise mindset.
What you will do?
Act as catalysts, with a deep understanding of the health system (environment, priorities, clinical pathways, patient journeys) and its challenges, to gather insights and execute according to the medical strategic plans to deliver strategic, scalable & sustainable clinical practice transformations, enhancing access to equitable quality care for patients and enabling the adoption of our innovative medicines.
Develop and enhance professional relationships and partnerships with healthcare professionals and other healthcare ecosystem stakeholders according to the Integrated Engagement Plan. Provide scientific, technical, and pharmaco-economic information to HCPs and key stakeholders through one-on-one discussions and medically lead meetings as experts and confidence generation activities.
Job Description
As the Medical Advisor, your role is focused on gaining a deep understanding of the ecosystem needs and behaviours related to the Rare Disease Portfolio such as aHUS, NF1, LALD and HPP etc. You serve as the customer-facing, single point of contact, and act as the liaison internally and externally. Your goal is to drive co-creation within the ecosystem to deliver personalized and tailored solutions.
The RDL is a critical role within Astra Zeneca Rare Disease organisation. The holder of this role will lead the way for innovative solutions on the patient journey to improve therapeutics and diagnostics in certain rare diseases.
Our mission is to expedite the delivery of "more value" to individuals with Rare Diseases to positively transform their lives. This approach is founded on the principle of establishing genuine partnerships with the Rare Disease community and, through these collaborations, addressing their needs via co-creation.
Collaborate with HCP, Health Care Organisations, Regional Scientific Societies, Funders, Patient Advocates, Regional HC organizations and others to identify roadblocks and propose solutions to unlock opportunities that expedite the patient journey and deliver value for patients and the community. Success in this role hinges on close collaboration with all functions within the organization to facilitate the exchange of insights and the analysis of the disease ecosystem.
Typical Accountabilities will include:
Scientific Expertise:

Maintain clinical/scientific expertise in disease state management, AstraZeneca products, emerging therapies, and the competitive landscape.
Contribute to the development and provide project leadership/ management of the therapeutic area Field Medical Strategic Plan (FMSP).
Act as a subject matter expert/resource for internal and external stakeholders.
Work with internal stakeholders in the development and delivery of appropriate training and mentoring needs within therapeutic area.

Scientific Exchange:

Engage in peer-to-peer level dialogue with key customers and deliver appropriate clinical/scientific content.
Respond to unsolicited customer inquiries and provide focused and balanced clinical / scientific information.
Provide scientific/clinical support and deliver presentations to internal and external stakeholders.
Identify and establish relationships with key customers and other scientific thought leaders.
Coordinate and lead scientific events, including MSL events, Symposiums, Scientific Exchanges, Advisory Boards/Expert Panels.
Deliver informative lectures at scientific events tailored to healthcare professionals.
Collaborate with KEEs on study proposals and/or publications of interest to AstraZeneca.

Customer Insight:

Effectively identify, gather, analyze, synthesize, report and forward relevant new knowledge about the external scientific/medical environments.
Provide internal stakeholders with actionable items related to medical / product strategy or clinical development.
Partner with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders to identify gaps in the patient experience journey.

Strategic Relationship:

Develop peer-level relationships with medical and scientific experts.
Identify pre-clinical, clinical, and post-marketing study investigators in alignment with Medical Plans.
Support data generation activities including participating in reviews of investigator-sponsored studies.
Establish win-win partnerships with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders.
Demonstrates an entrepreneurial mindset; systemic approach and has the ability to act swiftly.
Transforms complex insights and large volumes of data and analytics into simplified presentations.
Has rare disease-specific expertise.
Has clinical practice understanding; Experience in implementation of clinical trials (preferred).

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Must be a Qualified Medical Doctor or completed / MSc/PhD in a scientific discipline.
MSL/Medical Advisor experience with a minimum of 5 years in a medical affairs role.
Medical/Scientific experience in Rare Diseases therapeutic area.
Interest in a long-term career in the pharmaceutical industry.
MSc/PhD in a scientific discipline would be advantageous.
Understanding of multiple aspects within Medical Affairs.

Why AstraZeneca?
We are proud to have achieved Top Employer certification in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, as well as our Best Place To Work certification in Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and Senegal. It is the fourth year South Africa and Kenya have been awarded the Top Employer certification. Amongst the world's top 30 workplaces in 2023 This distinction is a confirmation of our commitment and ability to sustain people, partnerships, and employee engagement and foster an innovative workplace environment.
SO, WHAT'S NEXT?
Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can't wait to hear from you!
Click the link to apply no later than 21 November 2024 and we'll be in touch as soon as we can.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/
Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/
Close Date: 21/11/2024

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