Senior Program Officer

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 with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for community engagement. The organization is committed to fostering a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
As a Senior Program Officer, the individual will be responsible for framing key research questions and leading analytical projects that focus on the economic and health-related experiences of vulnerable women and girls in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). This role is crucial for generating rigorous quantitative evidence that addresses both theoretical and practical programmatic and policy questions aimed at improving the lives, health, and well-being of women and girls in LMICs. The Senior Program Officer will effectively communicate insights to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, and collaborate with various teams across the division and the foundation. The position also involves leading collaborative efforts with internal and external partners to advance gender-focused research and solutions. This is a limited-term position for 12 months, and relocation will not be provided.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Officer will manage and oversee collaborations and investments, including grants and contracts, with both internal and external partners, while monitoring and reporting on investment progress. They will review existing evidence, identify gaps, and develop new philanthropic investments related to the impacts of socio-economic interventions on the health of vulnerable women and girls. The role includes developing opportunities for targeted economic interventions aimed at improving maternal, newborn, and nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">child nutrition and health outcomes, along with evaluations to drive future policy adoption and scale. Building partnerships and relationships to attract and influence funding for evidence-based programs for adolescent girls, youth, and women is also a key responsibility. The officer will provide thought leadership on the intersection of economic and health experiences of vulnerable women and girls, contribute to cross-team learning agendas, synthesize evidence, and support research to incubate gender-related programmatic themes. They will respond to ad hoc analytical and grantmaking requests from GE leadership, review study designs and budgets for studies to ensure rigor and relevance, and contribute to strategy development and updates. Additionally, they will interpret and present data and research results to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise and represent the DATA team with external partners.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a social science field, with coursework and research related to global development, such as Development Economics, Public Policy, Applied Statistics, or Public Health. They should have demonstrated professional experience in development research roles, with 5-10 years of experience in conducting, managing, and/or funding development economics-related research. Expertise in applied development research, including data collection, literature review, causal research design, econometric analysis, and interpreting quantitative results is essential. Familiarity with major datasets and key research institutions relevant to gender, women, and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia is required. Candidates should also have experience sourcing and conducting diligence with research partners in LMICs, as well as crafting and negotiating grants and partnership agreements. The ability to navigate ambiguity, demonstrate intellectual and project management leadership, and effectively communicate complex findings to diverse audiences is crucial.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant social science field, with a strong emphasis on coursework and research related to global development. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of development economics and the specific challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls in low and middle-income countries.

Experience:
Candidates should have 5-10 years of demonstrated professional experience in development research-related roles. This experience should include conducting, managing, and/or funding development economics-related research, showcasing a strong understanding of the field and the ability to apply research findings to real-world challenges. Familiarity with the socio-economic contexts of low and middle-income countries is also important.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the nature of the work and the need to communicate findings effectively. Additional language skills relevant to the regions of focus, such as languages spoken in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, would be advantageous and could enhance collaboration with local partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is a limited-term role for 12 months, and relocation assistance will not be provided. The salary range for this role is between $173,200 to $259,600 USD, with higher ranges for positions located in Seattle and Washington D.C. The organization recognizes market differences in these locations, with the range for this role in these areas being $190,300 to $285,500 USD. The organization emphasizes a mission-driven approach, balancing competitive pay with its overarching goals. New hire salaries typically fall between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range, depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and expertise as evaluated during the interview process. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country where the position is located without visa sponsorship.