Program Officer, Primary Health Care (PO, PHC)

Resume review will begin immediately. About Our Team Global Development’s Primary Health Care (PHC) strategy was approved in December 2021 and represents a new opportunity to shape PHC-strengthening and PHC innovation grant making at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the years ahead. As a team, we aim to accelerate improvement in core PHC health outcomes (e.g., U5 mortality, maternal mortality) by improving access to PHC services and improving the PHC system’s ability to meet demand, focusing on opportunities that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of existing resources. We do this by: Supporting PHC foundational reforms (this specific role is anchored here, and draws from health system strengthening expertise) Innovating PHC service delivery models Collaborating with other Global Health funders Advocating for policies which supports broader PHC programmatic efforts. Leadership and Culture Our culture shapes our choices about what we do and how we do it. We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment, can do extraordinary things. We expect foundation employees to intentionally and consistently embody our values of optimism, collaboration, rigor, innovation, and inclusion. Position Summary The Program Officer in PHC foundational reforms will support the development of promising approaches to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care by working across teams within Global Development and the wider foundation to find opportunities for improving health system and service delivery efficiency and for developing and managing grants to accelerate their development and evaluation at scale, to advance our goals. Reporting to the Deputy Director, The Program Officer will support the development and management of a grant portfolio providing research, analysis, and technical assistance to improve primary health care at the country level largely through health financing reforms, linked to dependencies in data systems, public financial management, supply chain, and health human resources. What You Will Do! Negotiate, implement, and lead a portfolio of grants or contracts that support and evaluate promising government-led PHC reforms and system strengthening efforts that will improve service delivery outcomes and population access Advise and collaborate with Gates Foundation country office/regional teams to accelerate PHC foundational reforms in focus countries (Nigeria, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Indonesia). Identify and work with the most appropriate partners/grantees to deliver the work on time and within budget. Consult with grantees and other partners to maximize impact of projects and ensure grants are meeting strategy goals. This may include significant international travel, site visits, providing remote technical guidance, and convening meetings of key partners. Advise and support the strengthening platforms to improve subnational capacity to receive, collect, analyze & use data for PHC performance management, including financial data, HRH, and supplies for decision making and accountability Contribute to brainstorming and development of research agendas and special projects related to improving PHC reforms and strengthening PHC systems Undertake short research and analytical projects on PHC reforms, and prepare briefs and analytics for foundation stakeholders, managers, and leaders. Manage internal processes and portfolio progress while ensuring appropriate documentation, grant budgeting and reporting Support the improvement of data use governance and strengthened local capacities to use data for operational and management performance Support the reliability and visibility of financial transfers and supplies to facilities for improved operational decision making at the frontlines Review letters of inquiry and grant proposals and provide clear, concise, and insightful written analyses and recommendations for funding. Who You Are! We are seeking a committed team member with strong interpersonal skills motivated by driving progress on complex topics. You will: Demonstrate a growth mindset with curiosity about new approaches, agility to change direction when needed, and willingness to seek feedback and course correct based on it. Build technical credibility and interact on both a scientific and programmatic level with colleagues. Lead program and project management capabilities – always driving towards clear results within a timeline. Show sound, clear critical thinking capabilities – can develop a set of options, analyze choices, make recommendations easily and independently. Demonstrate excellent individual judgement and can act independently but also knows when to pull in additional resources or solicit others for assistance. Foster strong collaboration and communication – use different approaches with different counterparts in different contexts. Influence without authority to bring alignment and urgency to priority areas. See problems and issues from multiple vantage points and to consider different stakeholder viewpoints. Education and Experience Minimum Qualifications Master's Degree in Management Information Systems, Health Programming M&E, Public Health, Supply Chains, or other relevant field with 5 years of expertise within a field of primary health care and health systems OR equivalent combination of education and experience Familiarity with a broad range of key global health issues, including development context, roles of global health agencies and financiers, health systems or health financing challenges in LMIC settings, and/or PHC service delivery Strong quantitative analytic, evaluation and operations research skills. Stand Out Qualifications MPH, MPA or similar discipline. Prior health systems experience. Grant making expertise. *Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. #LI-PA1 Hiring Requirements As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Depending upon your work location, we may require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and any recommended booster doses. All employees based in the United States are to provide proof of full vaccination upon hire and any recommended boosters, subject to applicable laws. Accommodations If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to hr@gatesfoundation.org. Inclusion Statement We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, cultures and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all of our employment practices. All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.