The Senior Program Officer (SPO), for Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Discovery and Tools (MNCH D&T) team, will lead the development of the strategy and portfolio of investments aimed at optimizing birth outcomes for mothers and newborns. This initiative is part of a new Growth and Resilience framework that aims to develop new tools to target the underlying vulnerability in pregnancy and early childhood period in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality for mothers and infants. This role requires the ability to think strategically to identify opportunities for investments and to develop a diverse portfolio by bringing together key internal and external stakeholders. The SPO will help to create and oversee a robust research portfolio aimed at improving our biological understanding of adverse pregnancy outcomes in order to develop new preventive interventions as well as tools that enable better management of labor and complications of delivery, in order to reduce adverse birth outcomes.
As much of this portfolio requires a deep understanding of pathophysiology of adverse intrauterine, labor and delivery outcomes, a clinical background in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ObGyn) and a strong research history in the areas of maternal health, fetal biology, placental physiology and peripartum events is required.
Key responsibilities of the SPO include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Identify strategic areas for improved understanding of pathways leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, birth asphyxia and stillbirth
- Develop and manage a grants portfolio by engaging internal and external expertise
- Provide content expertise on the work and participate in the team work in a way that ensures seamless integration into the overall Growth and Resilience framework
- Leverage innovative approaches to advancing the capacity of foundation partners to complete their implementation and advocacy work
- Develop appropriate outreach plans for listening to external partners and beneficiaries, sharing the foundation's strategies, and progressing our agendas most effectively to improve outcomes for mothers, infants and children quickly and effectively in LMICs
- Represent the foundation to key program-related external constituencies. This includes both formal and informal presentations such as making speeches, attending conferences and other meetings as necessary
- This role is responsible for high quality interactions and clear and consistent communications with grantees and partners in the field so that packages of interventions can be designed to improve maternal and child outcomes
- Research background in one or more of the areas in clinical and epidemiological aspects of health during pregnancy, placental biology, peripartum events as well as a strong experience in the design, and development of global health strategies and programs that improve maternal/newborn health and survival in LMICs. This would include: evaluation of projects, operations research, data analysis, management of strategies and programs that reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality.
- An ability to think strategically, design field-based research that is scientifically rigorous and catalytic to policy and program change.
- An ability to identify priority areas for funding and to shape ideas and proposals into successful programs.
- The capacity to identify and activate interconnections with related areas in public health, product development, regulatory frameworks and policy.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with a broad and diverse audience.
Qualifications:
- MD or MD / PHD with a clinical background in Obstetrics and Gynecology, research background in one or more areas around pregnancy complications, placental biology or peripartum events.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively across traditional disciplinary boundaries in a highly collaborative manner.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leadership and senior policy makers.
- Experience and evidence of innovation in the conception, design, review and management of strategies, initiatives and programs. A global health experience is highly desired.