About and services – Roger Tatoud

About

Roger Tatoud has 25 years of experience in the development, management and operations of global research and public health initiatives during which he has acquired an expertise in science, research, operations, finance, fundraising, legal and management of not-for-profit organisations.

Roger has worked with global health research organisations to create and translate strategy into realities and improve organisational operations towards excellence. Building on a broad professional experience and a global network, he has supported academics, the not-for profit and, the pharmaceutical industry in diverse infectious diseases areas, with a focus on HIV.

Most recently, Roger was Deputy Director at the International AIDS Society (IAS) where he provided strategic scientific and technical guidance to science-related initiatives and led several programmes in the HIV Programmes and Advocacy Department. Roger re-launched and directed the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, the Industry Liaison Forum and contributed to other initiatives working closely with the Director and other Departments (Towards an HIV cure, Educational Fund and Conferences and Events). He also contributed to the new IAS strategy 2021-2025 (Promote Science, Support Action, and Empower People), and the development of Key Performances Indicators for the Programme and Advocacy Department. Roger also 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 start to finish, from product manufacture (GMP) to clinical research (GCP – GCLP), and research dissemination, overseeing and contributing to the management of more than 20 national and international multicentre 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. A driving force, an enthusiastic team player and facilitator, he favours 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 organisations in the field of vaccines, diagnostics, capacity building and adult education.

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

Strategy Virtual and in person events Scientific writing & communication Training and capacity building Resources mobilisation

Strategic review and strategy development

Knowing where you want your organisation to be and what you want it to achieve is one thing, getting there is another and this is why “having a plan” or a strategy is essential to the success of an organisation. But the strategic is not just a plan, it can be used for many purposes, for example, to communicate and engage with your employees, your stakeholders and the world at large, to raise funds, to measure success etc.

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.

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 two-part virtual event on experimental medicine for preventative HIV vaccines
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 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. Design was executed in collaboration 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.

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.

For example, 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 the 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.