Senior Program Officer, Nutrition Research & Development

Gates Foundation • Seattle, WA

93d • $233,600 - $362,200

About The Position

As a Senior Program Officer (SPO) on our agile and impact-first Nutrition team, you'll manage and grow a portfolio of investments focused on advancing technology and product innovations for food fortification programs in low and middle-income countries (LMIC's). The SPO will also collaborate with technical experts across the Nutrition team, Global Development Division and the broader Foundation to advance our LSFF strategic goals. This role will report to the Deputy Director, Nutrition, Research and Development.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or equivalent demonstrated experience, preferably in food science & nutrition, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of R D and product development experience in the life sciences arena, preferably in nutrition.
• Experience working with organizations in LMICs preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a complex portfolio of research and development products for human health, ideally in the nutritional sciences domain.
• Private sector product development experience is desired.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple partner interests, with proven ability to lead and influence others in a constructive manner within multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Recognized internally and externally through publications and/or presentations as a strong technical contributor to the professional community.
• Strong research and product development network with scientists in universities, private sector, and NGOs and other relevant entities.
• Demonstrated understanding of the latest nutritional science and its application to LMIC (Nigeria, Ethiopia and India are our priority countries) and LSFF contexts.
• Experience in managing across other product development domains, such as clinical, regulatory, manufacturing scale-up, a strong plus.
• Strong analytic skills for interpreting research progress and outputs and guiding projects towards maximum impact.
• Effective collaborator with experience working in a highly matrix environment.
• Ability to effectively synthesize dense technical information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus.

Responsibilities

• Makes and manages investments that are focused on improving large scale food fortification programs through technology and product focused innovation.
• Develops frameworks to help prioritize investment in various technology domains.
• Identifies, pursues diligence, and prioritizes nutrition innovations that have the most transformative potential in low and middle income countries (LMICs).
• Builds relationships with the scientific community within universities, the private sector, and NGO communities with the goal of advancing our R D agenda and the agenda of our grantees.
• Contributes perspective on the external LSFF product innovation ecosystem through participation in conferences, innovation hubs and convenings.
• Stay abreast of the latest nutritional science and provide scientific input and review of documents that are developed for our Nutrition team, Leadership, and our strategic grantees.
• Consults with grantees to achieve desired impact of grants; conducts site visits when appropriate, provides technical guidance, convenes meetings and applies and evaluates milestone-based performance objectives.
• Brings strong governance to track progress on portfolio of investments across partners.
• Manages complex projects and consortiums of partners along the product development continuum, from early-stage research to technology development, formulation optimization, product development, shelf life and stability, clinical trials, and regulatory approval.
• Provides critical input into the overall strategic direction of the R D portfolio to the Nutrition Leadership Team.
• Prospects and develops complex investment opportunities; manages grants and relationships with grantee partners.
• Reviews letters of inquiry and grant proposals; provides clear, concise and insightful written recommendations for funding, including drafting and editing proposal summaries and progress reports for existing grants for review by foundation leadership.
• Manages internal processes and monitors portfolio progress while ensuring appropriate documentation, grant budgeting and reporting, with a focus on operational efficiency and effectiveness for maximizing impact.
• Prepares briefs and synthesizes existing literature.
• Partners closely with multiple foundation teams who contribute to the 'whole of foundation' approach to nutrition including those focused on maternal and newborn health, food systems, and our country offices - ensuring a coordinated and collaborative effort towards achieving the foundation-wide nutrition sector north star of ‘reductions in morbidity, mortality, and improvements in neurodevelopment status'.
• Plans, manages, and carries out a wide range of activities in support of internal strategic planning.
• Serves as a touchpoint, catalyst, and support in questions of technology innovations for LSFF across the Nutrition team, Global Development Division and the broader Foundation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums.
• Generous paid time off.
• Paid family leave.
• Foundation-paid retirement contribution.
• Regional holidays.
• Opportunities to engage in several employee communities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Master's degree