Senior Program Officer (SPO)

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Position Title: Senior Program Officer (SPO)
Location: Seattle
Country: United States
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that all individuals should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the organization emphasizes the importance of 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 community engagement among employees. 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 within the Genomics, Epidemiology & Modelling (GEM) program of the EDGE team. This position requires a self-starter who can integrate diverse perspectives to build consensus and drive progress on complex topics. The SPO will manage a portfolio of investments and partnerships focused on precision disease surveillance efforts, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The role involves providing leadership, program management, strategy development, and communication regarding EDGE team priorities, grantees, and partners. The SPO will also collaborate closely with the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director of the GEM program to shape the strategic vision and goals for the team, ensuring alignment with the overall objectives of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for providing subject matter expertise on pathogen genomic sequencing and bioinformatics to support strategy and investment development. Key duties include identifying, developing, and managing a portfolio of strategic grants and contracts focused on genomic epidemiology and wastewater genomic surveillance. The SPO will partner with team leadership to communicate and implement the GEM Program strategy, bring forward innovative ideas for investments, and actively seek opportunities to develop new partnerships. Additionally, the SPO will manage information related to the grant portfolio, document key activities, and represent the foundation in external collaborations with global experts in bioinformatics and pathogen genomic sequencing.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD and/or MD with equivalent research experience in pathogen genomics, bioinformatics, data science, or related quantitative fields. A minimum of 10 years of experience in public health genomics and bioinformatics is required, including experience with phylogenetic and phylodynamic analysis. Familiarity with DNA sequencing platforms, bioinformatics pipelines, and database architecture is essential. Proven program and stakeholder management skills are necessary, along with the ability to work effectively with diverse partners and navigate complex environments.

Educational Background:
The position requires a PhD and/or MD, with a strong emphasis on research experience in relevant fields such as pathogen genomics and bioinformatics. Candidates should have a solid educational foundation that supports their expertise in data science and quantitative analysis.

Experience:
The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in public health genomics and bioinformatics, with a strong background in working with global health organizations and institutions. Experience in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, or South Asia, particularly in relation to national disease control programs, is highly desirable. The candidate should also have experience in managing complex projects and partnerships in low- and middle-income settings.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international scope of the work. Additional language skills relevant to the regions of focus (such as Spanish or French) may be advantageous but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position may require travel up to 30% domestically and internationally. The salary range for this role is between $229,100 and $355,200, with higher ranges for positions based in Seattle and Washington D.C. New hires typically start between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range, depending on their skills and experience. The organization emphasizes a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices and workplace culture.