Executive Director

quamed

10h • Remote

About The Position

QUAMED is a small, well-established non-profit organization incorporated in Belgium that has a vision of “living in a world where everyone benefits from quality medicines and other health products.” The organization’s mission: “QUAMED partners with diverse networks of stakeholders to improve access to quality medicines and other medical products, to strengthen pharmaceutical systems, thus reducing exposure to sub-standard and falsified medical products.” QUAMED offers services in five distinct areas: Assessments (GSDP, MQAS, GMP audits, GSDP technical visits, dossier reviews), Quality Certification Program (QCP), Database (subscriber-only), Training, and Technical assistance and support. The organization also advocates and works on awareness for quality medicines and access to quality medicines through various communication channels. The Executive Director (ED) reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for leading the organization. The ED manages the QUAMED team, ensures technical excellence and consistency across all activities, and represents QUAMED with all its partners. The Operations and Finance Manager reports to the ED and handles HR, finance, and legal compliance. Technical staff and the Quality & Compliance Coordinator also report directly to the ED. The ED participates in QUAMED’s technical advisory forums.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline, such as Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector (quality assurance, regulatory affairs, pharmaceutical supply chains, and/or related fields).
• Demonstrated experience conducting or overseeing GSDP, MQAS and/or GMP audits, assessments, or quality assurance programs.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical quality management systems, regulatory requirements, and international quality standards.
• Significant senior leadership experience within an international NGO (non-profit) and/or health agency or pharma sector organization.
• Demonstrated experience managing geographically dispersed teams is a plus.
• Experience developing and implementing organizational strategies, annual plans, and performance frameworks.
• Proven experience overseeing organizational budgets, financial planning, and resource allocation.
• Strong track record in business development, fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership development.
• Experience representing an organization in public forums.
• Strong leadership and team-building abilities.
• Ability to ensure compliance with QMS requirements.
• Financial management and oversight expertise as a senior manager.
• Proficiency in interpreting and applying donor and partner requirements, standards, and guidelines (WHO, etc.).
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Desire to make a difference for people who are confronted by humanitarian emergencies.
• Ability to manage conflicting priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.

Nice To Haves

• A management diploma would be a plus.
• Auditor credentials (e.g., GSDP/GMP auditor certification) are not required but would be an advantage.
• Training in quality assurance, regulatory affairs, or pharmaceutical supply chain is desirable.
• Experience providing technical assistance, capacity strengthening, or advisory services in low- and middle-income countries is an asset.
• Working knowledge of French is a strong asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage the QUAMED team in line with the agreed organigram.
• Develop annual reports, annual plans, and strategic plans with support from the Operations and Finance Manager (OFM).
• Monitor financial performance and take corrective actions as necessary.
• Conduct regular in-person meetings for the virtual headquarters/secretariat and project management teams with OFM support.
• Serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
• Support Board meetings and organize the content of the General Assembly.
• Foster a culture of quality, technical excellence, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Create a positive work culture for effective team collaboration and empowerment.
• Ensure alignment between technical and business strategy and organizational resources (in coordination with the OFM).
• Provide strategic guidance to the Board on the development of QUAMED’s technical activities.
• Identify and explore technical opportunities and research partnerships.
• Support the development, implementation, and supervision of all technical activities: Assessments and QCP, Training and Learning Platform, Technical Assistance, Research, etc.
• Take ultimate responsibility for managing all contracts and implementing all activities executed by QUAMED staff and consultants.
• Manage the technical team and ensure projects are completed according to internal SOPs and donor requirements (in coordination with the OFM).
• Guarantee technical consistency in all activities (assessments, technical assistance, training material, research).
• Develop and implement a business development and fundraising strategy aligned with the strategic plan and financial sustainability objectives.
• Identify and assess emerging opportunities for growth in assessments, QCP, technical assistance, and professional learning.
• Lead the development of technical and financial proposals with strong collaboration from the OFM.
• Build and maintain a diversified funding portfolio.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, foundations, development agencies, governments, regulatory authorities, professional associations, and implementing partners.
• Pro-actively reinforce QUAMED’s technical voice by initiating public discussions around pharmaceutical quality assurance.
• Represent QUAMED in international forums, donor meetings, technical working groups, and strategic partnerships.
• Strengthen relationships across the pharmaceutical quality assurance ecosystem.
• Support organizational communications, advocacy initiatives, and awareness-raising activities.
• Ensure QUAMED remains a recognized and respected voice on pharmaceutical quality assurance and regulatory strengthening.

Benefits

• Two-year renewable contract.
• Minimum remuneration packages regardless of employee location, with an adjustment up to 20% for higher cost-of-living countries.
• Significant allocation in lieu of social charges for individuals not on employee contracts.
• Salary band 6 classification.
• Potential for virtual headquarters (remote work).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive