Program Officer, Health, Innovation and Partnerships

Division Summary

The mission of the Global Policy & Advocacy (GPA) division is to understand and shape the public policy debates affecting the foundation's work, build support for its major program and policy objectives, and develop partnerships and alliances that can advance the foundation's objectives nationally and globally. Because the foundation's resources alone are not enough to solve the challenges ahead, GPA also supports advocacy efforts to engage diverse stakeholders and promote innovative solutions that advance our program goals.  We work in close partnership with grantees, our colleagues in the Global Health, Global Development, Global Growth & Opportunity, U.S. and Gender Equality programs and Foundation Communications to build the environment in which all people have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives.

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.

Group Summary

The China Country Office (“CCO”) is responsible for overseeing all Foundation programs in China, working in close partnership with program strategy teams and other foundation offices.

Position Summary

The China Program’s Health, Innovation & Partnership (HIP) team is recruiting a Program Officer (PO) to support activities in 1) Building key global health innovation partnerships, especially partnerships serving the needs of Sub-Saharan Africa;  2) identifying, expanding and accelerating domestic health innovation in China; and 3) shaping and supporting the development and delivery of global public health goods, initiatives and activities from China. The successful candidate will have the responsibility for strengthening relationships and shaping strategies to leverage China’s funding, research and innovation, manufacturing capacity and policies toward the deployment of more global public goods from China.  This could include working with manufacturers on WHO-prequalification programs and global market access, supporting the development of the foundation’s global strategy on generics, biosimilars and innovative technology solutions; working with partners to enhance demand or commercialization and advising and supporting the foundation’s Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) team on charitable investments in China-Africa health cooperation. The activities range from strategic planning, business development/due diligence, facilitating technical exchanges, to project funding and implementation and post-funding project management in alignment with foundation and CCO strategies.

Core Responsibilities

• Support the Foundation to advance work with global implementing partners and manage global health innovation initiatives, focusing on external partnership;
• Serve as a facilitator for expansion of Chinese developed and/or manufactured drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines for the global public market in low- and middle-income countries in the areas of market demand forecasting, competitive landscaping, and pricing and other market-shaping conditions;
• Project management for specific programs to ensure the project is fully aligned to global foundation priorities and direction;
• Manage grants for assessing Chinese manufacturers’ readiness for WHO-prequalification or other regulatory approvals, and providing support to selected Chinese manufacturers in their efforts toward achieving WHO-prequalification as well as product launch and market access strategies;
• Serve as a lead in developing, reviewing, and managing grants and contracts for assigned projects or programs in his/her responsibility areas in China;
• Engage with a global network to strengthen global public goods development, technology transfer, manufacturing, and global market access;
• Work with domestic business development partners to identify opportunities for global impact in assigned program and project areas, providing required technical support and expertise;
• Work with other members on the HIP team as well as other teams across the foundation in supporting strategic initiatives and activities as needed.

Position Reports to: Deputy Director, Health, Innovation & Partnership, China Country Office

Core Knowledge and Skills

• Clear understanding of global health program implementation, partnering with Chinese ministries, international collaborators, not-for-profit organizations and others;
• Working knowledge of the product development lifecycle, from needs analysis, clinical evaluation, global regulatory, WHO prequalification, global market access and demand creation, is required;
• Demonstrated strategic planning and program management in the field of health product R&D, manufacturing and quality assurance. Additional experience in supply chain management, technology transfer, or Due Diligence is desired;
• Strong strategic/critical thinking and program management/implementation skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills in working internally with a team of diverse backgrounds in a matrixed team environment;
• Strong relationship management skills and experience in working with a range of external partners, such as consultants, private sector leaders, international organizations, government organizations, and academia;
• Exceptional results orientation combined with innovative and open-minded approach to all aspects of work;
• Ability to maintain professional, upbeat demeanor and have a sense of humor;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, for a  diverse audience; strong presentation skills, including ability to represent the foundation at external meetings;
• Professional experience with PowerPoint and Excel, especially using these tools to communicate results;
• Fluent in both English and Chinese;
• Willingness to travel up to 20%.

Education and Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in private sector, not-for-profit, or other institutions focused on health or global health.
• Exposure in low- and middle-income countries specializing in health delivery programs is highly desired.
• Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in health-related field or advanced degree in business management, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

*Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

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As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is 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 the mission of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to:

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* Color

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