Application Guide

How to Apply for Emergency Response Senior Manager

at Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

🏢 About Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

CEPI is unique as an international coalition specifically focused on epidemic and pandemic preparedness through vaccine development, operating at the intersection of global health, science, and equity. Working here offers the opportunity to contribute directly to preventing future health crises and ensuring equitable access to vaccines worldwide, with a mission-driven culture that prioritizes impact over profit.

About This Role

This role involves leading outbreak preparedness and response activities for CEPI, including establishing R&D response teams during outbreaks of core pathogens and coaching project teams to adopt a proactive 'response mindset.' It's impactful because you'll directly shape how CEPI responds to emerging threats, testing and improving systems that could save lives during future epidemics.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing global surveillance reports for emerging threats, meeting with matrixed project teams to provide preparedness expertise, and developing materials for an upcoming readiness exercise. You could be coaching colleagues on response protocols while simultaneously planning how to rapidly stand up an R&D team if an outbreak occurs.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Is Looking For

  • Has an advanced degree in public health or related field with at least 5 years of hands-on outbreak response experience, preferably in international settings
  • Demonstrates deep understanding of vaccine R&D's role in outbreak response and practical knowledge of incident management systems
  • Shows proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in high-pressure situations while mentoring colleagues
  • Possesses experience designing or participating in readiness exercises that test technical, operational, and policy aspects of outbreak response

📝 Tips for Applying to Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

1

Highlight specific outbreak response experiences where you applied incident management principles, quantifying outcomes where possible

2

Demonstrate your understanding of CEPI's core pathogens (like Lassa, Nipah, Disease X) and how vaccine R&D fits into response scenarios

3

Show examples of how you've fostered a 'response mindset' in previous roles through coaching or team development

4

Connect your experience to CEPI's equity mission by mentioning work in resource-limited settings or with vulnerable populations

5

Prepare a brief example of how you would design a readiness exercise for vaccine research-focused outbreak response

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your direct experience with outbreak response systems and how you've applied incident management principles", 'Specific examples of leading cross-functional teams during public health emergencies or preparedness activities', 'Your understanding of vaccine R&D timelines and challenges in outbreak contexts', "Why CEPI's coalition model and equity focus align with your professional values and experience"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → CEPI's 100 Days Mission and how this role would contribute to achieving it
  • → CEPI's current portfolio of core pathogens and vaccine candidates in development
  • → Recent CEPI readiness exercises or outbreak response activities (check their news section)
  • → CEPI's equity policy and how it applies to outbreak response decision-making

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe how you would establish and lead an R&D response team for a Disease X outbreak with limited initial information
2 How would you design a readiness exercise program to test CEPI's outbreak response capabilities?
3 Discuss a time you had to coach resistant colleagues to adopt a more proactive response mindset
4 How do you balance speed and scientific rigor when making decisions during a vaccine-focused outbreak response?
5 What experience do you have working with diverse global partners (WHO, governments, manufacturers) in outbreak settings?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on clinical response experience without connecting it to vaccine R&D and development timelines
  • Presenting as purely operational without demonstrating strategic thinking about preparedness systems
  • Using generic leadership examples instead of specific outbreak response or public health emergency scenarios

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)!

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