Job Description
We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. As a Graduate Associate in our SSA Cluster Oncology team, you will support the coordination, development, approval, and execution of promotional and educational activities across South Africa and selected Sub-Saharan Africa markets. This role is designed for a recent graduate with a strong scientific background, strategic thinking capability, digital and data literacy, and a willingness to learn in a fast-paced, highly regulated healthcare environment.
Responsibilities
- Support the development, adaptation, and review of oncology promotional materials in line with brand strategy, scientific accuracy, company policies, and local regulatory requirements.
- Assist with the coordination of timelines, approval trackers, version control, and follow-ups to ensure materials are submitted, reviewed, approved, and released within agreed timelines.
- Work closely with Brand and Customer Managers, Medical, Regulatory, Compliance, Digital, and external agencies to support high-quality and compliant content delivery.
- Maintain visibility of material status, expiry timelines, archived assets, and required updates to support audit readiness and effective material lifecycle management.
- Assist in gathering, organizing, and summarizing competitive intelligence relevant to SSA Oncology priorities, including competitor activity, market dynamics, customer insights, and external environmental trends.
- Prepare concise competitive intelligence updates, training materials, pre-reads, and discussion summaries for relevant internal stakeholders.
- Support the preparation of oncology team training sessions by coordinating content, consolidating inputs, preparing materials, and tracking follow-up actions.
- Apply analytical thinking to translate data, market observations, and competitor information into clear insights that support strategic planning and execution.
- Support the planning, coordination, and tracking of oncology marketing activities, including campaigns, meetings, customer engagements, advisory activities, internal training sessions, and field force enablement initiatives.
- Maintain activity plans, trackers, action logs, timelines, and status updates to ensure disciplined execution and clear visibility of progress.
- Contribute to the annual and quarterly planning process by supporting activity mapping, budget visibility, prioritization, and cross-functional alignment.
- Contribute ideas on how digital tools, data analysis, and improved ways of working can strengthen customer engagement and operational efficiency.
- Build capability in data interpretation, digital marketing support, and omnichannel execution through ongoing learning and practical exposure.
- Participate in field visits at least quarterly, where appropriate and aligned with business needs, to build understanding of customer dynamics, field force execution, and oncology market realities.
- Capture key learnings from field exposure and translate observations into practical insights for marketing planning, material development, and team discussions.
- Support field force enablement by helping prepare approved tools, training content, competitive intelligence updates, and activity resources.
- Engage professionally with internal field teams and relevant stakeholders while maintaining appropriate compliance boundaries and governance standards.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, Medical, Regulatory, Compliance, Digital, Finance, and external partners to support timely and aligned execution of oncology priorities.
- Demonstrate strong ownership, follow-through, curiosity, and agility in supporting multiple projects and stakeholders.
- Help strengthen team ways of working by identifying opportunities to improve tracking, coordination, communication, and execution discipline.
- Maintain accurate documentation and support audit-ready processes across assigned projects and activities.
Qualifications
Required
- Recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, Business Science, Marketing, Data Science, Digital Marketing, or a related field.
- Strong interest in oncology, healthcare, pharmaceutical marketing, data-driven decision-making, and customer engagement.
- Strong planning, organization and attention to detail
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- High standards of professionalism, discretion, compliance awareness, and ethical conduct.
Preferred
- Experience in oncology or healthcare-related fields.
- Familiarity with digital marketing tools and data analysis platforms.
- Previous experience in a regulated industry or environment.
Required Skills:
Customer Engagement, Customer Relationship Building, Data Analysis Tools, Ethical Standards, Learning Agility, Market Research, Planning Ability, Strategic Thinking, Team Communication, Team Organization
Preferred Skills:
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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
Intern/Co-op (Fixed Term)
Relocation:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
09/23/2026
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