UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
UAEM Executive Director Job Description
Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM), a 501(c)(3) organization, is seeking a new
Executive Director. As a private non-profit organization rooted in a movement of university
students, UAEM aims to:
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Promote access to medicines for people in developing countries by changing norms and
practices around university patenting and licensing
Ensure that university medical research meets the needs of the majority of the world’s
population
Empower students to respond to the access and innovation crisis
The Executive Director is responsible for successfully leading UAEM as the organization continues
to mature and grow in accordance with the long-term strategic plan established by the Board of
Directors. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for
the day-to-day management of UAEM. The Executive Director works closely with UAEM’s highly
committed student leaders, ensuring they work together to further UAEM’s goals and supporting
their development as future global health leaders. The Executive Director will be expected to
develop an expertise in UAEM’s areas of activity, thoughtfully expand UAEM’s projects
domestically and internationally, and successfully engage in fundraising.
There is a preference for a ED based in the Bay Area in northern California, but UAEM will
consider other locations on an individual basis.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Executive Director is responsible for both leading UAEM’s day-to-day operations and for
presenting UAEM’s work to the public. The specific duties and responsibilities of the Executive
Director include:
Leadership
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Leading UAEM in continuing to successfully implement the strategic plan approved by
the Board of Directors.
Engaging, inspiring, and organizing student volunteers to complete a wide range of
projects and tasks
Fostering effective team work between the Board of Directors, the Executive Director,
student leaders, and UAEM staff members.
Acting as a spokesperson for UAEM and representing UAEM effectively in the public
sphere.
Facilitating student leaders and Board members in developing policies and strategies
Developing the leadership and professional skills of student members
Working with the Board of Directors to continue refining UAEM’s strategic plan, and
identifying and informing the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that
affect UAEM’s work.
Operational planning and management
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Overseeing the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of UAEM
UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
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Organizing student leadership to engage in projects that fulfill UAEM’s Mission and
Vision.
Ensuring that UAEM’s operations meet the expectations of UAEM members, the Board,
and Funders.
Reviewing existing policies on an annual basis, recommending policy changes to the
Board when appropriate, and preparing new policies and procedures for the approval of
the Board as necessary.
Ensuring that UAEM operations are consistent with existing policies, including conflict
of interest policies and policies regarding protecting the confidentiality of UAEM donor
information and personnel records.
Program planning and management
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Overseeing the planning, implementation and evaluation of UAEM's advocacy
campaigns and projects.
Ensuring that UAEM’s advocacy campaigns and projects contribute to the fulfilment of
UAEM’s mission and reflect the priorities of the Board in compliance with the core
values of the organization.
Managing student efforts to ensure timely completion of project goals.
Human Resources Planning and Management
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Ensuring that staffing requirements for organizational management and program
delivery are met.
Maintaining a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all
appropriate legislation and regulations.
Overseeing the implementation of UAEM’s human resources policies, procedures and
practices, including the staff performance management process, which involves
monitoring staff performance on an on-going basis and conducting an annual
performance reviews.
Recruiting staff that have the right technical and personal skills to help further UAEM's
mission, and ensure that all new staff member are provided with the appropriate
orientation and training.
Coaching and mentoring staff as appropriate to improve performance.
Disciplining staff when necessary using appropriate techniques; release staff when
necessary using appropriate and legally defensible procedures.
Financial planning and management
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Working with UAEM staff and the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors to
prepare a comprehensive annual budget.
Working with the Board and part time fundraising director to ensure adequate funding is
secured for UAEM’s operations.
Administering UAEM’s funds in accordance with the approved budget, and approving
expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board.
Monitoring the monthly cash flow of the organization and providing the Board with
regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the organization.
Ensuring that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed, and that
UAEM complies with tax withholding obligations and related regulations.
Community relations/advocacy
UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
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Communicating with UAEM stakeholders to keep them informed of UAEM’s work and
to identify changes in the community served by UAEM.
Establishing good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with
community groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the
goals of UAEM.
Risk management
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Identifying and evaluating the risks to the organization’s people (clients, staff,
management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement
measures to control risks.
Qualifications and Skills
The Executive Director must have proven leadership skill and a demonstrated commitment to
UAEM’s core goals. The ideal candidate will have the energy and ability to tackle a wide range of
critical tasks, from fundraising to drafting policy proposals, and will enjoy working closely with
UAEM’s highly motivated student volunteers. All candidates should be self-motivating, be able to
take initiative on a variety of projects, and manage his/her time well.
Specific needed skills and qualifications include:
 A demonstrated commitment to activism, with experience organizing around issues of social
justice.
 Experience managing staff members, and the ability to coordinate with a large number of
diverse stakeholders, ranging from students, to governments, to partner organizations.
 The ability to work collaboratively with UAEM’s student volunteers, often on student hours,
and to keep volunteers motivated, engaged, and focused on UAEM’s mission.
 Experience with policy development, and an understanding of how to communicate with
policy makers.
 The desire to engage deeply in complex policy debates, and the ability to think innovatively
about policy issues.
 The ability to write and communicate clearly, and translate complex topics into clear terms,
along with an attention to detail.
 A deep commitment to the principles of social justice that drive UAEM’s work, and to the
goal of training the next generation of global health leaders.
 Experience managing multiple tasks and budgeting time and resources appropriately.
 Excellent people skills.
 Experience with budgeting.
 Demonstrated success in multiple roles including leader, facilitator, and implementer.
 Strong preference for someone with a graduate degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years
professional experience, preferably with an NGO. Will consider an exceptional candidate
who does not meet these requirements assuming their skills set is well-developed and meets
our needs.
 An advanced degree (or undergraduate degree with appropriate experience) in a relevant
field and at least four years of work experience in progressively more managerial roles.
 Ability to travel frequently (approximately 15% of the time), mainly in U.S. but also
overseas; flexibility in accommodation and travel requirements
 High level of personal integrity and honesty
UNIVERSITIES ALLIED FOR ESSENTIAL MEDICINES
To Apply
Please send a resume, a writing sample, and at least three professional references to
hiring@essentialmedicine.org. Please reference Executive Director in the subject of the email.