Global Project Director, HealthRise Project / Principal Associate with International Health Division
Organization Overview
The International Health Division is committed to the improvement of health and healthcare delivery around the world. Serving both the public and private sectors, our efforts include health policy research and evaluation, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. Our impact is felt in policies that ensure healthcare access for women, children, and individuals with special needs, in strengthening health infrastructures, and HIV/AIDS solutions.
Opportunity
The HealthRise Global Project Director role is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the non-communicable diseases (NCD) movement. We are seeking a new colleague who will be engaged in imaginative thinking and innovative efforts to bring change to this global health issue of NCDs, primarily cardiovascular disease and diabetes. On the HealthRise project, this dynamic project leader will effectively communicate and advocate for solutions and partnerships in support of access to NCD-related healthcare. This is a unique opportunity to lead a global project for NCD issues and have the opportunity to raise awareness around effective solutions to addressing NCDs in the U.S. and globally.
HealthRise is a five-year project funded by Medtronic Philanthropy to address cardiovascular disease and diabetes among the underserved in selected communities in Brazil, India, South Africa and the U.S. Using a “Continuum of Care” approach developed by Medtronic Philanthropy, grants given in communities are used to recruit and train frontline healthcare workers, conduct patient empowerment and education programs, and support local stakeholder engagement and policy efforts to advance access to chronic disease healthcare. The Director provides overall vision and oversight of the project and liaises with the client and project partners on global advocacy, representation, and programmatic issues. The Global Project Director is accountable to Medtronic Philanthropy for project results.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strong vision for the project, proactive execution, creative thinking, and oversee execution of all program components.
- Convene global stakeholders, experts, and advisors in an advisory and consultative capacity to the global program. Forge relationships with global experts, in business and nonprofit sectors, and new partners for greater attention to NCDs at the national and global level and build networks across sectors.
- Effectively represent the importance of chronic management of noncommunicable diseases, and the outcomes of HealthRise to external audiences at international conferences, stakeholder meetings, and other forums. Represent Medtronic Philanthropy (MP) when MP is unable to participate and highlight MP’s strategy and commitment to NCDs.
- Identify, facilitate, and promote disruptive thinking and solutions, program innovations, new opportunities and partnerships within and across country programs to client and others with the aim of improving the continuum of care for chronic diseases
- Design and execute the global thought leadership plan. Facilitate dissemination of needs assessments, emerging best practices, lessons learned, technical dialogue findings, and program results.
- Strategically advise Country Directors on national and local government alignment/partnership.
- Lead analysis and cross-fertilization across country programs, especially related to patient empowerment; strengthening frontline provision of care; and advancing NCD advocacy and policy.
- Ensure meeting of project objectives, contract compliance and performance in meeting work plan timelines, quality of deliverables, and delivery of program results.
- Ensure equal involvement of country teams in decision making of overall program and facilitate cross-country sharing and coordination.
- Oversee supervision of staff in the US and India, and subcontractors that lead Brazil and South Africa Programs to ensure they are supported and motivated to solve problems and challenges as they arise and deliver results.
- Actively work across Abt Associates to galvanize opportunities to leverage best practices and program alignment – particularly with other donor funded programs focusing on private sector initiatives.
- Chair monthly calls with client and country teams
- Meet monthly with evaluation partner to proactively plan, anticipate risks, and trouble shoot challenges as they arise.
- Convene annual planning meeting with HealthRise country partners, evaluation partner, and client.
- Partner with senior staff to develop and implement a long-term vision and strategy for the International Health Division.
- Participate in and oversee business development activities within the Division. Identify new opportunities within current and potential markets.
- Work with division management and senior staff to promote Abt’s work and reputation in the NCD area.
Skills Prerequisites
- Strong commitment to global public health, with demonstrated success in the private business sector and and understanding of NCD issues, diabetes and cardiovascular disease preferred, with broad technical knowledge in these or related fields.
- Credible leader with a collaborative style.
- A proactive problem solver and ability to anticipate and address risks with rigor and effective methods.
- Experience working in Brazil, India, South Africa and the United States (or any combination) preferred.
- Experience partnering with or building constructive and effective relationships with local, state and national governments; and global policymakers and/or with private sector engagement, public-private partnerships, and/or business experience preferred.
- Strong results orientation, demonstrated experience consistently driving for and exceeding goals.
- Excellent communicator, compelling presenter. Ability to translate across a wide range of audiences, including business, academia, public health program and policymakers, and across cultures.
Minimum Qualifications
MA/MBA (15+) years of experience OR PhD (10 – 15) years of experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.
