The Malaria Program Strategy Team (PST) is recruiting a Senior Program Officer (SPO) for Surveillance, Data, and Epidemiology to support the Director and team in achieving its impact goals by:
Managing the Foundation’s existing investments around genetic and genomic epidemiology, mathematical modelling, data analytics and visualization, and related areas, including providing the Malaria PST with regular updates on progress against our strategic goals. Developing, in close collaboration with the team and our implementing partners, new investments using innovative, data-driven approaches to improve malaria programmatic decision-making and delivery of interventions within elimination programs, with a specific focus on projects using genetic/genomic data, bioinformatics, and “big data” approaches. Advancing open data and open science approaches within the portfolio of investments and building implementing partner capacity in these areas. Building capacity in national malaria control programs and implementing partners to use these innovative data-driven approaches for decision making, keeping countries, national programs, and affected communities at the center. Applying user-centered design for the development of tools, information products, and dashboards. Supporting the malaria team in refining and further developing a surveillance strategy for malaria elimination and eradication; with a focus on new tools for the collection, management and analysis of surveillance data.
- Manage the Surveillance, Data, and Epidemiology research and translation strategy and associated investment portfolio, ensuring that these are aligned with the team's overall strategy, and negotiate, execute, and manage complex, performance-based investments.
- Review letters of inquiry, investment ideas, formal concept note submissions, and proposals; provide clear, concise and insightful verbal and written analyses and recommendations, including drafting, editing, and presenting investment summaries and progress reports for review by foundation leadership.
- Prepare and write briefs and synthesize existing literature. Provide written analysis of key topics for Foundation management.
- Manage internal processes and portfolio progress while ensuring appropriate documentation, budgeting and reporting.
- Track grants against key strategic learning questions and ensure other staff/initiatives are kept informed in real time to ensure agile strategic decision-making.
- Serve as a point of contact on portfolio-related issues for key internal and external stakeholders; conduct high quality interactions and clear and consistent communications with partners in the field.
- Partner with grantees to develop projects, define key outcomes and milestones; ensure that appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems and processes are established to produce robust evaluation of outcomes and ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
- Consult with grantees and other partners to maximize the impact of projects and ensure optimal learning. This may include conducting site visits, providing operational guidance and convening meetings of key stakeholders
- Collaborate with Foundation colleagues in related program areas to take advantage of cross-sector grant making opportunities.
- Represent the Foundation with stakeholders who may include public and private entities, partner organizations, other funders, universities, think tanks and government agencies. May serve on external boards and working groups.
The Foundation is seeking an internationally recognized expert with demonstrated leadership in two or more of pathogen genetics/genomics, bioinformatics, advanced analytics, and/or modelling.
The ideal candidate should have:
- A minimum of 7 years’ experience working on quantitative analysis of pathogens, using either or both of genetic/genomic or surveillance data. Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or working with or for a national malaria control program is a strong asset.
- Technical knowledge of DNA sequencing platforms, bioinformatics platforms, database and workflow architecture, and quantitative analysis and modelling techniques.
- Familiarity with principles of information visualization and the use of dashboards to communicate key indicators.
- Experience working with global institutions and global health organizations, such as the WHO, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, or the US Presidents Malaria Initiative, is an asset.
- Proven ability to lead and influence others.
- Experience in strategic planning and strategy implementation.
- Excellent attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgement in developing methods, techniques and evaluating criteria for obtaining results.
- Demonstrated excellence in scientific writing and data analysis, superb written and oral communication skills, and experience advocating and communicating with broad and diverse audiences.
- Conversational or fluent French is an asset.
- Demonstrated capacity to solve complex problems with a positive attitude.
- Experience in a role requiring collaboration (both internally and externally), prioritization and results-orientation in a fast-paced, complex organization.
- Intellectual quickness, curiosity, discipline, resourcefulness and resilience.
- Demonstrated ability to work with efficiency, diplomacy, and flexibility, particularly as part of a team, and experience working on teams with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
- Ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.