The Senior Program Officer (SPO) will design and lead advocacy efforts across specific Global Health Research & Development (R&D) global priorities to help generate the awareness, resources, partnerships and policy changes necessary to achieve success in the following ways: galvanizing civil society in donor and developing nations to increase political commitment to global health R&D issues; understanding and shaping international financing channels for R&D and supporting the evidence-base to facilitate sound decision-making; and influencing policymaker decision making through increased visibility and understanding of R&D solutions to health and development inequities. This role will report to the Deputy Director for PAC – TB, HIV and Global Health R&D and will work closely with the Global Health R&D PAC strategy lead, as well as with the Global Health R&D communications teams and teams across the Global Health and GPA divisions.
- Contribute to development, implementation and refinement of advocacy and communications strategies that include individual market-specific approaches and assessments of political economies, ensure long-term sustainability and impact, and are synergistic to other strategies in the foundation.
- Develop consensus and serve as a point of contact on portfolio-related issues for internal and external stakeholders, working within the complex matrix style organization across GPA and Global Health divisions.
- Conduct research and analysis to strengthen investment decisions.
- Negotiate, implement, and manage portfolio of investments.
- Provide clear, concise and insightful written analyses and recommendations for investments.
- Represents the foundation to external constituencies. This could include formal and informal presentations such as making speeches, attending conferences, committee representation and other meetings. May serve on boards and working groups.
- Forms key partnerships with people and organizations – in both the public and private sector – to enhance implementation of advocacy strategies and tactics.
- Conceptualizing and managing high impact and complex partnerships, grants, coalitions, and advocacy campaigns.
- Writes and produces informative briefings, reports, email updates, and other materials on key Global Health R&D and other relevant issues for foundation leadership.
We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment in which they thrive, will do phenomenal things.
Core Knowledge and Skills
- Demonstrated understanding of the role of advocacy and communications efforts to increase awareness of global health and development issues and shape political and financial support for health and development goals in the developing world with governmental and non-state organizations.
- Experience in the conception, design and management of advocacy strategies, initiatives and programs including hands-on experience with advocacy efforts focused on international development – this will include personal interaction with senior level policy makers, civil society organizations, coalitions, and governments.
- Understanding of clinical trials process, product development, product introduction, regulatory environment and other key GH R&D policy issues.
- Understanding of bi-lateral and multi-lateral finance institutions and mechanisms including how they fund R&D programs at national and regional level.
- Connection and networks within the global R&D communities, desirable.
- Demonstrated results, supporting resource mobilization strategies and initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to provide vision and influence others in a constructive, optimistic manner, while forming and sustaining collaborative relationships.
- Exceptional project management skills including demonstrated ability to lead groups and organizations from strategy development through implementation, develop shared goals and implementation plans, facilitate meetings, manage budgets, developing stakeholder buy-in, and work both autonomously and collaboratively.
- Ideally, candidate will have experience managing a grants portfolio; either as a grantee - receiving and reporting on a grant or as a grant manager - with direct responsibility for grant making and management.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to effectively synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and create consensus.
- Experience working in a constantly changing environment with ambiguity and productively helping teams manage change.
Education and Experience
- 7+ years leading advocacy initiatives in global health and development (preferably with a mix of service in either the public or non-profit sectors).