Senior Associate, Non Communicable Diseases

Overview

The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to our mission of saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. We work at the invitation of governments to support them and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems.

CHAI was founded in 2002 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic with the goal of dramatically reducing the price of life-saving drugs and increasing access to these medicines in the countries with the highest burden of the disease. Over the following two decades, CHAI has expanded its focus. Today, along with HIV, we work in conjunction with our partners to prevent and treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Our work has also expanded into cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases, and we work to accelerate the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reduce maternal and child mortality, combat chronic malnutrition, and increase access to assistive technology. We are investing in horizontal approaches to strengthen health systems through programs in human resources for health, digital health, and health financing. With each new and innovative program, our strategy is grounded in maximizing sustainable impact at scale, ensuring that governments lead the solutions, that programs are designed to scale nationally, and learnings are shared globally.

At CHAI, our people are our greatest asset, and none of this work would be possible without their talent, time, dedication and passion for our mission and values. We are a highly diverse team of enthusiastic individuals across 40 countries with a broad range of skillsets and life experiences. CHAI is deeply grounded in the countries we work in, with majority of our staff based in program countries. Learn more about our exciting work: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

CHAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to providing an environment of fairness, and mutual respect where all applicants have access to equal employment opportunities. CHAI values diversity and inclusion, and recognizes that our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse experience, backgrounds, and culture.

Overview of CHAI’s Non-Communicable Diseases Program

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes are now the leading cause of death globally, exceeding all communicable disease deaths combined. The WHO estimates that each year, NCDs kill at least 41 million, the equivalent of 71 percent of all deaths globally; more than 41 percent of these deaths are  premature, affecting people younger than 70 yrs. Deaths from NCDs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) account for at least 85 percent of the global count. Cardiovascular diseases account for most deaths, followed by cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Over the next decade, the disease burden and mortality from NCDs are expected to grow significantly in low- and middle-income countries.

CHAI began work in this area with the launch of our cancer program in 2015 and in 2022 expanded its programming related to noncommunicable diseases, initiating programs related to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. These new programs aim to improve access to affordable, quality-assured NCD medications and associated commodities in LMICs by working with country governments, high-quality manufacturers and global and local partners on strengthening commodity procurement; decentralizing NCD diagnosis and care; and creating enabling policy environments for long-term country support for NCD control. The NCD program includes in-country teams, as well as global teams which support in-country programs, including with market shaping for NCD commodities. CHAI is currently looking for a Senior Associate to support the NCD in-country programs and market shaping work. This will require international travel. 

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with outstanding strategic, analytical, communication and leadership skills. The Senior Associate will adhere to the core CHAI values of resourcefulness, entrepreneurialism, flexibility, independence, humility, and work ethic. The Senior Associate will report to the Manager, NCD team. 

We are an inclusive workplace and promote and integrate fairness, respect, equality, and dignity into CHAI’s culture. We take a firm stance against discrimination and harassment and foster an environment where people with a multiplicity of personal characteristics, including race, color, religion, sex or gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, HIV status, political or interest group affiliation, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental or pregnancy status or any other characteristic, are embraced and valued. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Develop an understanding of global and local market dynamics and market shaping priorities for key NCD commodities (antihypertensive and antidiabetic medication, insulin, glucose monitoring devices and consumables, insulin syringes/pens and other commodities) in LMICs
• Lead major workstreams to support success of CHAI’s NCD programs in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, for example: health financing for NCDs, decentralization and integration of NCD care, country market assessments including focus on regulatory, quantification, procurement and supply chain dynamics
• Lead the development and execution of analyses that strengthen the business case for enhanced affordability and availability of these commodities in LMICs, such as demand forecasts, uptake scenarios and market access strategies; production development, cost reduction and manufacturing strategies
• Cultivate relationships with global health partners to ensure coordination, alignment and collaboration with partner programs and research, where relevant.
• Lead development of presentations, reports, and other analyses to inform global policy and increase the evidence base for high-impact interventions
• Creatively scope and initiate projects that could contribute to further improving supply sustainability and accessibility of NCD commodities for LMICs
• Support the development of concept notes, donor proposals and new projects, and reporting requirements on existing programs.
• Any other duties as required

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of professional experience in a role that demonstrates an ability to work independently and effectively in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment, manage complex projects, conduct quantitative (e.g., forecasting) and qualitative analyses and work across multiple teams
• Exceptional analytical, research and presentation skills for both qualitative and quantitative data
• Clear strategic/structured thinker with very strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strong project management skills and the ability to work independently and effectively in a high-performance, dynamic environment and handle multiple priorities simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with individuals of varying levels of seniority and soliciting expert inputs
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English with the ability to represent CHAI externally
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural and remote environment
• Excellent proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Strong commitment to teamwork, team mission, and hard work
• Able and willing to travel internationally
• Fluency in English

Advantages:

• Advanced degree in Business, Economics, Public Health or other related disciplines
• Experience in the private sector (e.g., strategy consulting or pharmaceuticals)
• Prior knowledge or experience of public health systems strengthening and improving access to health care and commodities in LMICs
• Prior knowledge of or an established network of contacts with relevant manufacturers, multilaterals and other key global health stakeholders
• Experience living and working in low-resource settings
• Professional fluency in additional languages