Policy adviser: Lead Innovation & Impact

Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde -
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Vanaf € 5.616,63 per maand
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Doctoraat
Engels
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Master
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The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp is a leading independent academic centre for research and innovation, education, and clinical services in the fields of public health, global health, and tropical medicine.

Founded in 1906, ITM’s research today focuses on disease prevention, control and elimination, emerging infections and outbreaks, and sustainable and equitable health systems, with antimicrobial resistance integrated across all research themes.

Our Research and Innovation Office plays a central role in enabling this mission: supporting researchers, building strong partnerships, securing funding, and ensuring that valuable scientific insights benefit the people and health systems that need them most.

To strengthen this mission, we launched Health Innovations for All (HI4A)—an ambitious initiative that translates scientific breakthroughs into inclusive, accessible and scalable health innovations. HI4A aims to address a critical gap in the innovation landscape: turning research results into substantial societal benefits, which might not (always) align with traditional economic return on investment models.

We are now looking for a Lead Innovation & Impact (I&I) to guide HI4A through its next phase: from early experimentation (2024–2026) toward a mature, sustainable innovation engine with global reach.

Would you like to help make a difference within our team? Apply now for the position of Lead Innovation & Impact.

Your responsibilities:

As Lead Innovation & Impact, you will shape the strategic direction of I&I at ITM, position HI4A as a unique platform, and represent ITM as a credible actor in Flemish, Belgian and international innovation ecosystems, while rolling up your sleeves to be actively implementing the I&I-strategy.

You will:

Design and refine ITM’s Innovation & Impact strategy, integrating research, innovation, education, and capacity‑strengthening into a coherent framework.
Inspire and challenge ITM researchers and their collaborators towards impactful innovations and act as the ITM HI4A focal point.
Position and represent ITM as leader in inclusive innovation with the Flemish, Belgian, European and international ecosystem.
Engage with stakeholders in Low- and - Income countries to strengthen the equity-driven innovation translation framework.
Monitor global developments in innovation and impact, translating insights into concrete HI4A activities
Coordinate all HI4A activities, manage its subsidy, and drive efforts to secure additional funding.
Inspire a small core team with growth potential.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a forward‑looking programme with the potential to influence global health innovation for years to come.

Your profile:

You hold a scientific Master degree. A PhD degree in Life Sciences or a comparable scientific background is a valuable asset.
You have hands-on experience (ideally 5-10 years) in Innovation management, research valorisation, or impact-oriented leadership.
You can unite people around a common goal, align interests and inspire people.
You have a proven ability to develop strategies and translate them into concrete, operational programmes.
You have a professional network relevant to the position.
You are familiar with innovation ecosystems in Flanders, Belgium, Europe and international settings (including LMICs).
You have excellent communication skills and are capable to speak the languages of researchers, policy and business-oriented professionals.
You are able to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
You are curious, proactive, entrepreneurial and energized by building something new.
You have a strong affinity with ITM's mission and values. You value quality, integrity, partnership and equity-driven innovation.
You are flexible, able to manage multiple projects in parallel and used to working with deadlines.
You are fluent in English. Other languages such as Dutch and French are an asset.

The Institute of Tropical Medicine is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. Through your role, you will contribute to ITM’s socially relevant mission.

We highly value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity, and a critical mindset, with a strong focus on solidarity and collaboration. The wellbeing of our staff, students, patients, and clients is central to everything we do.

We offer:

A full-time position with a permanent contract. Start date as soon as possible.
A collegial and supportive working environment with attention to work-life balance, individual growth, and professional development.
A culture of continuous feedback and open dialogue, with regular check-ins and coaching, as well as an annual appraisal cycle that supports development and salary progression.
A workplace in the heart of the vibrant city of Antwerp, easily accessible by public transport and bicycle.
Office hours from Monday to Friday, based on a 37,5-hour work week.
A salary based on your relevant professional experience. ITM applies Hay salary scales. This position is classified in Hay scale 17, with a minimum gross salary of 5616,63 euro.
Additional benefits include bicycle compensation, bicycle leasing and/or public transport subscription, meal vouchers, and a supplementary pension scheme.

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