Senior Program Officer, Data, Insights & Statistical Methods, 12-month LTE

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation • Seattle, WA

2d

About The Position

As a Senior Program Officer, you will frame key research questions, lead analytical projects, and identify new investment opportunities related to the Lives and Livelihoods Learning Initiative and focused on the economic and health-related experiences of vulnerable women and girls in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Your work will generate rigorous, quantitative evidence to address both theoretical and practical programmatic and policy questions to advance the lives, health, and wellbeing of women and girls in LMICs. You will communicate insights effectively to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, and collaborate closely with multiple teams across the Division and the foundation. Additionally, you will play a key role leading collaborative efforts with internal and external partners to advance gender-focused research and solutions. This position is a limited-term position for 12 months. Relocation will not be provided.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. strongly preferred from a social science field with course work and research related to global development (e.g., Development Economics, Public Policy, Applied Statistics, Public Health, etc.)
• Demonstrated professional experience in development research related roles with 5-10 years in a role conducting, managing, and/or funding development economics related research.
• Demonstrated expertise in applied development research, including planning and carrying out data collection, literature review, causal research design, econometric analysis, and interpreting quantitative results.
• Familiarity with major datasets and key research institutions relevant to gender, women, and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
• Demonstrated familiarity sourcing and conducting diligence with research partners in LMICs, as well as crafting and negotiating grants and/or major partnership agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, to show intellectual and project management leadership, to use data and evidence to craft and defend recommendations, and to work efficiently as part of a team.
• Track-record of excellence presenting, communicating, and writing about gender-related research, including the ability to translate complex findings to resonate with different audiences
• Evidence of passion for advancing the lives, health, and well-being of vulnerable women and girls.
• Ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.
• Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using data and evidence to mobilize resources and/or influence program design is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee collaborations and investments, including grants and contracts, with internal and external partners, monitor and report on investment progress.
• 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.
• Develop opportunities for targeted economic interventions for driving maternal, newborn and child nutrition and health outcomes with evaluations to drive future policy adoption/scale.
• Build partnerships and relationships attract and influence funding for evidence-based programs for adolescent girls, youth, and women.
• Provide thought leadership on the intersection of the economic and health experiences of vulnerable women and girls.
• Actively contribute to cross-team learning agendas, such as the Lives and Livelihoods Learning Initiative.
• Synthesize evidence and support research to incubate gender-related programmatic themes that cut across foundation strategies.
• Respond to ad hoc development economics-related analytical and/or grantmaking related requests from GE leadership and provide related support to colleagues across the Division and broader foundation in interpreting research, sourcing partners, and reviewing grant proposals.
• Review study designs, statistical analysis, and budgets for causal and observational studies to ensure rigor, relevance, and cost appropriateness.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of strategy and contribute regularly to updates on strategy progress.
• Interpret and present data, study design, and research results to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise, including senior leadership.
• Clearly communicate key insights, takeaways, and potential caveats to support data-driven decision-making.
• Represent the DATA team with external partners and in external convenings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees