The MNCH D&T team is looking to hire a diligent and thoughtful member for their team. The Senior Program Officer (SPO), for Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Discovery and Tools (MNCH D&T) team, will lead an innovative portfolio of nutrition investments involving approaches to improving pregnancy & outcomes and health during lactation. This initiative is part of a new Growth and Resilience framework that aims to develop tools to target underlying vulnerability in pregnancy and the early childhood period to reduce morbidity and mortality among mothers and infants in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This portfolio requires a deep understanding of maternal nutrition, underlying mechanisms and biochemical pathways leading to adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes, and the interaction between under nutrition, infection and inflammation which drive poor birth outcomes in low resource settings. This role requires the ability to think strategically to identify and shape opportunities for existing and new investments across a diverse grant portfolio by bringing together key internal and external stakeholders. In close collaboration and partnership with diverse peer groups within internal product development and delivery teams , the SPO will work on developing integrated approaches for multiple geographies. This individual will be a key partner to internal and external members of the nutrition community and will be the nutrition focal point for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health within Global Health with the aim of benefiting the health of mothers and infants through pregnancy and early life.
- Identify strategic areas for improved understanding of nutritional interventions in pre-conception and pregnancy to improve adverse pregnancy outcomes such as intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia and preterm birth.
- Improved understanding of breastmilk and opportunities for improving infant mortality, morbidity and growth in the first 6 months after childbirth by intervening on the mother-infant dyad.
- Provide content expertise on the work and participate in team work with colleagues in a way that ensures seamless integration into the overall Growth and Resilience framework
- Leverage innovative approaches with internal team members to advance the capacity of foundation partners complementing their implementation and advocacy work
- Effectively communicate and engage with external partners and grantees, sharing the foundation's strategies, and progressing our agendas most effectively to improve outcomes for mothers, infants and children efficiently and effectively in LMICs
- Represent the foundation to key program-related external constituencies. This includes both formal and informal presentations as necessary
- 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
- This role requires asking critical questions and forging new directions in the field of nutrition. Therefore, critical thinking and willingness to explore data that question the prevailing wisdom is a must
- This role requires thoughtfully developing and managing a unified nutrition strategy in partnership with downstream partners
We are looking for people who enjoy the challenge of working on complex projects and collaboratively creating solutions that have the potential for transformational change. We seek an experienced professional with a deep understanding of maternal health, nutrition and familiarity with the principles of trial design and intervention development in addition to the following:
- Research background and experience in clinical trials and epidemiology of under nutrition; health and disease during pregnancy or lactation; design, and development of clinical trials to improve maternal/newborn health and survival. This would include: evaluation of projects, 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 global policy and program change and apply a mechanistic understanding to the development of a public health intervention. Experience working in global settings and in networking and collaborating with global partners, stakeholders and institutions.
- An ability to work collaboratively with team members 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 industry research, public health, product development, food regulatory frameworks and global policy.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with a broad and diverse audience.
- Deep clinical/epidemiology background in pregnancy or lactation outcomes, in one or more areas related to under-nutrition
- 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. Global health experience is highly desired.
- Candidates with less years of experience will be considered for Program Officer level roles.