Senior Program Officer (SPO)

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to fighting poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, deserve the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the organization emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employee engagement in various communities. The organization is committed to fostering a workplace environment that supports both personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Officer (SPO) will play a crucial role in developing and leading a complex portfolio of grants and technical assistance aimed at improving child health outcomes in selected West African countries, specifically Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This position is integral to the 'Resiliency through Azithromycin for Children' (REACH) program, aligning with the foundation's broader REACH strategy. The SPO will collaborate with various teams across the foundation to ensure a coordinated approach that accelerates the scale-up of REACH and maximizes its impact on health challenges in the region. The role involves working closely with governments, the private sector, and civil society to catalyze efforts that develop, test, and scale high-impact, cost-effective solutions to improve child health outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for co-developing strategies and implementation plans that facilitate the accelerated scale-up of the REACH program and enhance child health in targeted West African countries. Key responsibilities include overseeing detailed micro-planning, interpreting data to localize strategies, and partnering with government and stakeholders. The SPO will identify, negotiate, implement, and supervise complex performance-based contracts and grants aimed at improving child health outcomes. This includes identifying activities to support the adoption of innovations into clinical practice, conducting operational research, and managing partnerships and grantee relationships to ensure learning and impact. The SPO will also collaborate with country governments and implementing agencies to develop operational research frameworks for new interventions, manage grants at the country level, serve as a senior technical resource, engage with a broad range of partners, facilitate knowledge sharing, and represent the foundation to key government health leaders.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in public health service delivery management, particularly in African settings. An advanced degree in medicine, public health, health economics, public policy, or related fields is required. Candidates should have proven experience in managing clinical service delivery programs at scale, particularly in low-income countries, and experience advising government, donors, and implementing agencies. Familiarity with child health interventions through mass-delivery platforms is essential, along with an in-depth understanding of the region's health systems and the socio-political factors influencing health outcomes. Strong management capabilities and experience in integrating health and non-health interventions are advantageous.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced degree in a relevant field such as medicine, public health, health economics, or public policy. Degrees such as MSPH, MHA, MPH, MD, or PhD are preferred, reflecting a strong academic background that supports the responsibilities of the Senior Program Officer role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in public health service delivery management, particularly in low-income countries. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing clinical service delivery programs at scale, including the introduction of new treatments and decision tools to improve care quality and effectiveness. Experience in providing advice to government and national-level partners in developing countries is essential, as is familiarity with implementing child health interventions through mass-delivery platforms.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and French is mandatory for this position, as effective communication in both languages is crucial for collaboration with diverse stakeholders and partners in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Dakar, Senegal, and may require travel up to 40% domestically and internationally. The role is full-time, and candidates should be prepared for a complex and fast-paced work environment. The foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.