The India Country office is focused on playing a strategic and catalytic role in India, supporting the Government in achieving desired health outcomes (with a focus on RMNCH, nutrition and infectious diseases) by (i) supporting the strengthening of the health system and (ii) working with communities to improve health related behaviors.
The foundation’s policy efforts are aligned with advancing programmatic priorities for India at the national and state level, as well as on cross cutting issues which go beyond specific disease priorities. In the short term – we are focused on creating an enabling environment for evidence based policies, adequate financing, and improved performance of delivery systems, in support of specific programmatic goals. In the long term – there is a focus on creating strategic partnerships and field building to ensure sustainability of efforts through continued prioritization of health, implementation of policies and enhanced systems performance.
The position will lead on public health policy issues at the national level and in specific Indian states to help generate the awareness, prioritization, resources, partnerships and policy thinking necessary to achieve national and state goals in these sectors. A specific focus of the position will be on Vaccines, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, and Infectious Diseases. Additionally, the position will focus on system level issues such as human resources for health, procurement and supply in the health system, and regulation.
The position will engage with key stakeholders in government, civil society, donors and private sector, directly as well as through other India Country Office (ICO) team members, to advance the case for health. This role reports directly to the Deputy Director, Policy & Strategic Partnerships, and will also work closely with relevant teams in Seattle
The position requires an advanced degree with 15+ years of experience in the policy or development space. An understanding of the public health systems is necessary.
Leading the development and implementation of strategies aimed at evidence based analysis of health policy at national and state level. Carried out in partnership with the state and other stakeholders, these would aim to generate attention to the issues, resources, and policy necessary to best achieve health goals. Specifically, responsibilities would include
- Tracking legislative and key policy developments and trends relevant to health care at the center and state level.
- Monitoring the external environment for trends related to healthcare policy; advise on strategy updates based on this intelligence
- Conducting/managing research and analysis in support of evidence based policy and communications strategies
- Developing and managing a portfolio of policy grants for achieving agreed upon goals at national and state level.
- Developing alliances with appropriate external stakeholders.
- Deep knowledge of national/state health delivery ecosystem, and the broader development context in India
- Strong understanding of national and state government policy and budget decision making
- Ability to use communications to stimulate policy relevant discussions
- Strong understanding of the state legislative and administrative processes and structures in India pertinent to public health and development research, funding, or policymaking.
- Experience in developing, managing and implementing project and grant-making strategies.
- Excellent relationship management.
- Ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.