With over 25 years of experience in the development, management, and operations of global research and public health initiatives, Roger Tatoud has acquired expertise in science, research, operations, finance, fundraising, legal, and management for not-for-profit organizations.
Throughout his career, Roger has successfully worked with global health research organizations to translate strategy into reality and achieve operational excellence. Drawing on his broad professional experience and global network, he has supported academics, not-for-profit organizations, and the pharmaceutical industry in diverse infectious disease areas, with a specific focus on HIV.
Most recently, Roger served as the Deputy Director at the International AIDS Society (IAS), where he provided strategic scientific and technical guidance for science-related initiatives and led several programs in the HIV Programs and Advocacy Department. In this role, he successfully re-launched and directed the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, Industry Liaison Forum, and contributed to other initiatives. He worked closely with the Director and other departments on various initiatives such as Towards an HIV Cure, Educational Fund, Conferences and Events, and contributed to the development of the new IAS strategy 2021-2025 (Promote Science, Support Action, and Empower People) and Key Performance Indicators for the Programs and Advocacy Department. Additionally, Roger led training initiatives aimed at building sustainable research capacity in Africa.
Previously, Roger was responsible for the global operations and management of a clinical immunology reference laboratory in London, with strong connections to East and Southern Africa. He also led a key research service office dedicated to the development and management of clinical and translational research from product manufacture (GMP) to clinical research (GCP – GCLP), and research dissemination, overseeing and contributing to the management of over 20 national and international multicenter research partnerships.
Roger is a recognized HIV prevention advocate, supporting engagement with the public and end-users, and evidence-based research and implementation of HIV prevention and treatment tools. He is a driving force, an enthusiastic team player, and facilitator who favors participatory approaches and teamwork. Confident, flexible, and proactive, he understands the key issues defining the response to infectious diseases in the broader global health context. Action-oriented and results-driven, he enjoys working in complex multicultural environments.
In 2021, Roger launched a consultancy service and now works with international organizations in the field of vaccines, diagnostics, capacity building, and adult education. With his wealth of experience, Roger is committed to providing exceptional consulting services to his clients.
Chairing a panel on HIV vaccine efficacy at the IAS Science Conference 2019 in Mexico. From left to right: Moses “Supercharger” Nsubuga, Jared Baeten, Carl Dieffenbach, Helen Rees, Willem Hanekom, and on my left Linda-Gail Bekker.
Services
Biomedical Research
– Global health
– Infectious diseases
– HIV prevention
– Vaccines and their manufacture (GMP)
– Basic, laboratory and clinical science (ICH-GCP, GCLP)
From Ideation…
– Strategic planning
– Partnership building
– Resources mobilisation
– Grant application development and coordination
to Management and Operations and…
– Organisational development, the endeavour to improve an organisation’s capability through the alignment of strategy, structure, people, metrics, and management processes.
– International consortium management
– Grant management and reporting
– Finance & operations
– Capacity building and training (such as grant writing, programmes and project management, research management, scientific writing, scientific and technical training).
Public engagement
– Scientific writing
– Scientific communication and dissemination
– Community engagement
– Advocacy
Selected work
StrategyVirtual and in person eventsScientific writing & communicationTraining and capacity buildingResources mobilisation
Strategic review and strategy development
Having a clear vision of where you want your organisation to go and what you want to achieve is important, but it’s not enough. To achieve success, it’s crucial to have a well-crafted plan or strategy in place. A good strategy can serve multiple purposes beyond just achieving your goals. It can help you communicate effectively with your employees, stakeholders, and the wider world, attract funding, and measure your progress.
A well-crafted strategy enables your organisation to focus its efforts and resources in the most effective way possible, helping you to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. It provides a framework for decision-making, guiding you on what to prioritize, what resources to allocate, and how to measure success.
In addition, a good strategy can be used to build engagement and commitment among your stakeholders, including employees, partners, and donors. By sharing your strategic vision and goals, you can inspire people to get behind your cause and work towards a common objective.
Overall, a well-planned and communicated strategy can help your organisation to be more effective, efficient, and successful in achieving its goals. It provides a roadmap to guide your actions, helps to align your resources and priorities, and creates a sense of shared purpose and direction among your stakeholders.
There are many ways to design a strategy. The Theory of Change approach seems to be in favour. I tend to prefer the Value Proposition combined with SWOT analysis. But in any case it is important that the methodology is adapted and suitable to your organisation (See The framework).
This is an example of a strategy I oversaw working closely with a very efficient colleague and supported by a consultant.
I provide event organisation from start to finish whether online or in-person. This includes content, event design, speaker identification and engagement, agenda and event script, supporting documents, logistics, chairing and reporting.
- Co-designed the 2023 Research-for-Cure Academy.
- Co-designed the 2023 IAS HIV vaccine science academy.
- Virtual workshop on “Design approaches for current and future HIV prevention efficacy trials.” The event ran over several months in 2020 and 2021 and included 19 presentations and 6 panel discussions covering a range of issues and news developments in the field of HIV prevention clinical studies.
- A three-part virtual event on experimental medicine for preventative HIV vaccines, which led to a publication.
- Satellites at the AIDS2022 conference held in Montreal 29 July – 2 August 2022 (Recordings are available online).
- Africa HIV cure research: Strengthening industry-community engagement in clinical research. A satellite to explore barriers and facilitators to community’s meaningful engagement and participation in industry-led HIV cure research to ensure acceptability, scalability, and cost effectiveness of HIV cure research interventions.
- Swinging into full gear: Strengthening industry engagement in HIV vaccine research and development. A satellite to discuss barriers to industry involvement in HIV vaccine R&D, including recommendations for activating and optimizing industry participation in R&D
- Experimental medicine trials in Africa: ethical considerations and community engagement. A satellite looking into ethical challenges and community perspectives when conducting experimental medicine trials for preventative HIV vaccines in Africa.
- Will mRNA lead to a long-awaited HIV vaccine? A satellite that aims to shed light on the promises and challenges of mRNA as a platform for the development of an HIV vaccine.
- What has COVID-19 changed in vaccine R&D and what remains to change for an HIV vaccine? A satellite looking at how much of COVID-19 learning has been applied to fasten the development of an HIV vaccine and how much more could be applied.
Scientific writing, such as educational material, position papers, and scientific reports and manuscripts, for a lay and specialised audience.
- In 2021, the International AIDS Society published an updated HIV Cure Global Scientific Strategy. I coordinated and co-produced a comprehensive lay summary entitled “Research Priorities for an HIV Cure: IAS Global Scientific Strategy 2021: The science in context.”
- In 2022, working with Rebekah Webb, we updated and expanded the IAVI Vaccine Literacy Library originally published in 2008. The library contains basic information about HIV, TB, and Lassa virus vaccines, explained in simple language and in a user-friendly format to be used by IAVI staff at its clinical sites. It is accompanied by an 80-slide PowerPoint deck to support training activities. The design was executed in collaboration with Anthea Duce.
- Also in 2022, I developed a position paper on the inclusion of persons with HIV in non-HIV clinical research for the EATG. This paper was accompanied by an advocacy strategy to support the development and implementation of inclusive clinical research guidelines toward improving health outcomes for persons with HIV.
- In 2023, I supported the work of the WHO Science Council on the added value of mRNA technology for the prevention of infectious diseases. This work included a desk and literature review, the design, planning, and organisation of an online consultation of experts, and the production of a report.
Other works include a literature review on potential safety concerns with a vaccine for an international organisation.
Participated and led on a number of capacity building programmes focussing on early career researchers in Africa.
- Co-designed the 2023 Research-for-Cure Academy.
- Co-designed the 2023 IAS HIV vaccine science academy.
I was part of the pilot AREF’s EXCELL Researcher and Leadership Development which aimed to help accelerate the development of organisational and individual excellence and leadership in research. I then was part of Excell Research and Leadership Development Programme which aimed to transform the research leadership capabilities of partner Institutions and their nominated Fellows – to enhance research capacity for global health in Africa for Africa – and ultimately to transform health and save lives.
I conduct training in programme management and grant writing for AREF and, in collaboration with Skating Panda for IAVI.
From identifying and engaging with funders, to the coordination of application involving international multi-stakeholders partnership, I have worked with a range of international organisations and funders including the MRC-UK, EDCTP, Wellcome Trust, USAID.
Roger Tatoud, immatriculé au repertoire des Entreprises et des Etablissements (SIRENE) sous le numéro SIREN 902090729.