NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Evidence Action is a global nonprofit organization with an approach distinctive in international development – we exclusively scale interventions that are backed by strong evidence and can be delivered with exceptional cost-effectiveness. Our programs have grown since our founding in 2013 to reach over 280 million people annually. We deliver high impact for every dollar spent, as recognized by Givewell, The Life You Can Save, and Charity Navigator.

We do development differently. We take a data-driven approach to identifying, scaling, and continuously improving programs which deliver immense impact, ensuring these solutions measurably improve the lives of millions. Our Deworm the World Initiative has helped governments in Africa and Asia deliver over 1.4 billion childhood deworming treatments, improving health, education, and incomes. Dispensers for Safe Water provides sustained safe water access to over 4 million people in rural Africa, preventing childhood illness and deaths.

We drive innovation: Our Accelerator builds the next generation of exceptional programs, taking an approach most similar to a venture capital model. We are ruthless in exiting programs which do not meet our criteria; those that advance deliver outsized impact for millions of people.

We are global. Across eight countries in Africa and Asia, our 400+ people are united by a tremendous passion for our mission and impact. We are strong because of our diversity of experience, geography, and background – with over 90% of our people in the countries where our impact is focused.

We have big ambitions. Our goal is to double our impact by 2024, to fulfill our vision of a world where hundreds of millions of people in the poorest places have better opportunities and their lives are measurably improved. We believe in bold and urgent action – because poverty doesn’t wait, and neither should we.

We need great people. Our success to date is due to the collective work of our amazing staff. To achieve our ambitious goals, we are looking for people who share our passion for evidence, cost-effectiveness, and scale. We seek individuals who take an entrepreneurial approach, enjoy tackling hard problems, and have a bias to action and results. If our vision and approach excite you as much as it does us, we invite you to join us.

About the Maternal Syphilis Program

One of Evidence Action’s newest initiatives is the Maternal Syphilis Screening and Treatment Program in which we partner with Ministries of Health to increase syphilis screening and treatment among pregnant women in an effort to prevent mother-to-child transmission of syphilis. Without effective and timely treatment, syphilis infections in pregnancy carry a significant risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, and cognitive and physical disability. Across the globe, syphilis infection in pregnancy leads to over 200,000 stillbirths and neonatal deaths – more than the child mortality caused by HIV – and over 100,000 instances of disability in newborns. Our aim is to close syphilis screening gaps via introduction of HIV/syphilis dual testing and to close treatment gaps by implementing strategies to address context-specific treatment barriers for women who test positive for syphilis.

Our maternal syphilis program launched in Liberia in 2020 and are now in the midst of expanding the program to Zambia, Cameroon, and Indonesia. We are keen to continue growing the program to support the many governments across Africa and Asia who are working to adopt the HIV/syphilis dual test and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of syphilis.

We are seeking a driven and high-performing Manager who can lead the next phase of expansion of the maternal syphilis program and help Evidence Action to grow its programmatic and geographic footprint. S/he will have exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to harness evidence and cost-effectiveness analysis to make informed decisions. S/he will bring strong relationship management capabilities, effective communication skills and experience in working in a cross-functional team environment.

Key Responsibilities:

New Country Expansion (50%)

– Identify countries to be prioritized for considered expansion of the maternal syphilis program through data review, analysis of relevant policy documents, and stakeholder engagement.
– Lead scoping visits to countries which are prioritized for expansion to meet with stakeholders and evaluate the fit of the geographies for the maternal syphilis program.
– Support the establishment of an Evidence Action office in countries where there is not yet a geographic presence, including supporting the development of policies and procedures, recruitment, operations, etc.
– Produce internal and publicly consumable reports on the fit of countries for expansion of the maternal syphilis program and proposed areas of intervention.

Relationship Building/Management (20%)

– Build and maintain relationships with key partners within focal countries, including critical government stakeholders, development partners, non-profit organizations, and any consultants recruited to support the program work.
– Develop proposals and presentations to be shared with key government stakeholders to pitch Evidence Action’s technical support in the area of maternal syphilis.
– Lead fundraising efforts for countries which are identified for maternal syphilis program expansion.

Program Support (30%)

– Provide programmatic support and strategic leadership to the ongoing maternal syphilis program teams in Liberia, Zambia, Cameroon, and Indonesia, and to teams which will be constituted in the expanded set of maternal syphilis program countries.
– Develop strategies for increased coordination and sharing of lessons learned across geographies where the maternal syphilis program is being implemented.
– Oversee the development of monitoring and evaluation strategies specific to the context of new countries and evolving learning agendas to identify and address program gaps.
– Coordinate and collaborate on key activities across the Global and Regional teams and among Evidence Action functional pillars to support country programs.

Required Qualifications:

– 5-8 years of relevant professional experience in demanding and results-driven environments, such as a fast-paced international NGO.
– Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field such as public health, international development, public policy, economics, statistics, or business.
– Verbal and written English fluency required. Preference will be given to candidates with verbal and written French fluency.
– Experience working in a developing country context, preferably experience engaging closely with governments.
– Ability to independently represent Evidence Action in high-stakes meetings with government stakeholders, donors, international NGOs, bilaterals and multilaterals.
– Experience synthesizing data, background research, and stakeholder perspectives to inform program design and drive decision making.
– Proven ability to manage multiple ongoing projects simultaneously.
– Excellent problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
– Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
– Ability to work collaboratively, flexibly, and productively in a dispersed team and coordinate effectively among Regional, Global, and Country teams and among various functions within Evidence Action
– Able to travel internationally, up to 30%.

Evidence Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.