Senior Program Officer, Discovery & Drug Development

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. It was founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives. The foundation emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees, reflecting the varied global 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 pivotal role within the Maternal Newborn nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Child Nutrition and Health (MNCNH) team, focusing on the Discovery & Drug Development portfolio. This position is crucial for advancing the discovery, development, and introduction of impactful products and interventions aimed at addressing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. The SPO will be responsible for grantmaking within a defined portfolio, shaping and executing strategies in their area of expertise, and providing scientific and clinical leadership throughout the maternal health continuum. The role requires close collaboration with grantees, investigators, country partners, and internal teams to facilitate the progression of promising candidates through the development pipeline and into scalable solutions for low-resource settings. This part-time role is expected to require approximately 20 hours per week, with the possibility of remote work in the UK.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Officer will lead and manage a portfolio of grants and investments that focus on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes. This includes sourcing and diligence, structuring, execution, monitoring, and reporting on these investments. The SPO will develop and refine the investment strategy within this disease area, identifying gaps, priorities, and high-potential opportunities across the stages of discovery, development, and introduction. They will provide scientific and clinical leadership regarding the biology, risk stratification, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The SPO will partner with grantees and external investigators to design and oversee research, ensuring adherence to scientific rigor and ethical standards while aligning with foundation and country priorities. Additionally, the SPO will contribute to budgeting, risk management, and the sequencing of investments within the portfolio, ensuring effective stewardship of foundation resources. They will track and report on portfolio progress, milestones, and outcomes, translating evidence into strategic recommendations for leadership. The SPO will also foster coordination among discovery, clinical, and implementation partners, linking their work to related MNCNH programs and the broader maternal morbidity agenda. They will guide the translation of evidence into policy and implementation pathways, collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders to scale promising interventions. Finally, the SPO will represent the foundation externally at scientific meetings, technical advisory groups, and with partner governments, consortia, and industry.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (PhD, DrPH, MD, OB/GYN, or equivalent) in a relevant clinical or scientific discipline, with specialized expertise in obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, endocrinology, or a related field being strongly preferred. They should have deep subject-matter expertise in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, and/or gestational diabetes, encompassing underlying biology, clinical management, and product or intervention development. Extensive relevant experience in research, drug or product development, clinical practice, or grantmaking is required, preferably with exposure to low- and middle-income country settings. Candidates should demonstrate experience in leading research programs, portfolios, or investments, with the ability to set strategy and make informed funding and prioritization decisions. A strong knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), research ethics, and the translation of evidence into policy and practice is essential. Excellent cross-cultural communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across various institutions, ministries, industry, and global partners are also necessary. A proven track record of managing multi-stakeholder partnerships across academia, governments, and implementing organizations is highly valued.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree such as a PhD, DrPH, MD, or OB/GYN, or an equivalent qualification in a relevant clinical or scientific discipline. Specialized expertise in fields related to obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, or endocrinology is strongly preferred, indicating a high level of education and training in these areas.

Experience:
Candidates should have extensive relevant experience in research, drug or product development, clinical practice, or grantmaking. This experience should ideally include exposure to low- and middle-income country settings, demonstrating an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities present in these environments. The ability to lead research programs, portfolios, or investments is crucial, along with a demonstrated capacity to set strategic directions and make informed funding decisions.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international nature of the organization and the need for effective communication across diverse stakeholders. Additional languages may be beneficial, particularly those relevant to the regions served by the foundation, such as French or Spanish, depending on the specific projects and partnerships involved.

Additional Notes:
This is a part-time position, expected to require approximately 20 hours of work per week. The role offers flexibility for remote work within the UK. Candidates must have unrestricted work authorization in the country where the position is located. The hiring process will include a background check, and the organization is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates. They encourage applicants with disabilities or medical conditions to request accommodations during the application or interview process. The foundation is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and without discrimination.