Business Practice Specialist at MSD South Africa

Description

The role of Business Practice Specialist will focus on supporting the execution of Compliance programs in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. The role requires an individual with experience In Policy and Compliance Simplification, Policy and Compliance Task Force, Enterprise Risk Management; and Patient Program process management (including data and/or systems).
In close partnership with the leadership team and above market stakeholders, the Business Practice Specialist is required to develop innovative, simplified solutions that make compliance monitoring more effective. They will be responsible for identifying opportunities for process improvement, innovation and systems enhancements or upgrades.
The Business Practice Specialist is expected to provide independent, expert assurance and guidance to mitigate business risks, prevent violations and remediate concerns, instil knowledge and values that guide ethical business decision making.

Accountabilities
Key Responsibilities Include (but Not Limited To)

• Help support efforts to drive high level awareness, understanding and implementation of our Company’s Values and Standards, Corporate and Compliance Policies, SOPs and Guidance in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa;
• In collaboration with the above market compliance team and local leadership team, help coordinate, and oversee implementation of new and evolving compliance frameworks affecting the commercial business and other support functions;
• Serve as custodian of all business-related policies and procedures that include compliance controls, in close collaboration with the cross-functional teams and above market stakeholders;
• Help support consistent and effective compliance standards in the organization;
• Support the effective implementation and operation of tracking / monitoring systems and compliance programs (for instance, Pulse, Hiperos, certifications, others);
• Help facilitate/manage implementation of internal control enhancements, conduct review sessions with stakeholders, communicate and train (or support training by subject matter experts) on new and revised policies, processes and procedures affecting the organisation
• Facilitate or participate in cross-divisional governance meetings (as needed) to help ensure alignment;
• Act as a compliance liaison for the alliance partners operating in Sub-Saharan Africa markets where our company has a commercial footprint, by communicating and sharing best practices and standards;
• Successfully partner with the leadership team to make effective execution decisions, help solve complex compliance challenges with input from all appropriate stakeholders and escalating risks/issues as needed;
• Implement processes utilizing improvement methodologies

System Administration

• Partner with internal Business Operations to oversee system design and configurations to enable proper and effective recording and controls.
• Maintain appropriate documentation in accordance with standards.
• Understand the business process and objectives to enable configuration decisions
• Engage cross-functionally to develop, test and implement plans, drive results and resolve issues; using ability to assess and course correct when necessary
• Accountable for systems governance such as access management.
• Partner with internal Business Owners, Customer Solutions and Learning & Development (where needed) to assist in the development of compliance training materials and execution resources.

Reporting

• Works with country leadership team, Country Compliance Committee and above market stakeholders on key compliance metrics,
• Ensures that the organisation (“Scorecard”) metrics are communicated and tracked.
• Drives implementation of the scorecard objectives.
• May facilitate, coordinate, train key stakeholders on compliance monitoring activities (e.g. small meetings spot check, Aggregate Spend Tracking, adherence with annual certifications, Third Party due diligence, etc.);
• Present metrics and monitoring reports to the Country Leadership team.
• Provide monthly country compliance update to the above market Compliance team.
• Will be responsible for conducting market self-assessments and expected to participate in market audits.
• Monitors, tracks and evaluates all scientific activities managed by the Commercial team and Medical Affairs

Risk Assessment

• Will lead the facilitation of the Market ethics and compliance risk assessment process under the direction of the Local and Regional Leadership Team,
• Reports out results to the Local and Regional Leadership Team
• Follows up on defined actions to ensure timely completion and mitigation of identified risks.

Country Compliance Committee (CCC) And Other Local Committees

• Will co-chair the country compliance committee meeting
• Required to actively identify and address compliance issues
• Develop/assist with local Compliance Committee Charter and facilitation/coordination of regular (monthly or quarterly) meetings
• Helps business collect data and prepare documents needed
• Follow-up on meeting action steps
• Escalates potential risks to the Compliance Committee
• Sets agenda for review meetings usually in collaboration with Medical and Legal
• Assists owners on how to develop initiatives and review current requirements
• May assist the business to ensure that implemented programs adhere to the guidance.

Privacy Steward

• Will be required to establish a local privacy network across all functions in the organisation
• will lead the network and the implementation of all globally initiated privacy programs
• ensure that global programs are aligned with local privacy requirements
• required to conduct privacy impact assessments and ensure that the organisation is prepared for privacy audits
• will manage the reporting and tracking of data breaches in collaboration with the global privacy office
• will be required to prepare quarterly privacy updates and share observations with the local leadership team.

Qualifications
Required Education and Background

• Commercial Bachelor’s degree in law, audit, business science or related
• minimum 3 years pharmaceutical industry experience will be a bonus

Required Experience And Skills

• High ethical standards, being a role model of business compliance and integrity
• Experience in project and change management
• Experience in partnering with business stakeholders across geographies, therapy areas, and functions to inform process design and execution
• Expertise to lead process and systems workshops, interviews and other methodologies to inform effective and efficient processes and systems
• Attention to detail, excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently, escalating risks and issues as appropriate
• Proficient in MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, and MS Word.
• Project management skills

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Having worked at a multinational with cross-functional divisions at a market, regional and/or global level (commercial experience is a plus)
• Strong understanding and appreciation of compliance principles and ethical standards
• Prior audit/finance/data analytics experience in compliance areas
• Demonstrated success in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to learn on the fly while understanding and solving new problems
• Ability to identify the most efficient and effective way to implement new services
• Strong business acumen to be able to judge whether ideas can really lead to compliant and value adding customer solutions
• Excellent verbal, presentation and written communication to technical and non-technical audiences of various levels within the organization
• Strong leadership skills and proven ability to influence without authority
• Strong collaboration, interpersonal and networking skills
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally and with regional and global stakeholders to achieve business objectives
• Strong analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills
• Strong leadership skills

Our Support Functions deliver services and makes recommendations about ways to enhance our workplace and the experience of working at our organization. Our Support Functions include HR, Finance, Information Technology, Legal, Procurement, Administration, Facilities and Security.