Job Description
Are you passionate about using the power of information technology to support better surveillance and public health decision making and thereby improve health and reduce inequality in low- and middle-income countries? Do you have experience working in low- and middle-income countries on AI or digital public health initiatives? If so, we want you to join our team at the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world.
The Senior Program Officer, Public Health Surveillance, Data Integration, and Artificial Intelligence is a key member of the foundation’s Surveillance unit in the Pneumonia and Pandemic Preparedness Team. This role will focus on public health informatics and AI for the Foundation’s cross-cutting public health surveillance initiative and will also support other groups in PPP that are considering investments in public health informatics and AI. Beyond the PPP portfolio, this role requires cross-foundation collaboration with surveillance activities with other teams, including Africa Regional Office; Genomics, Epidemiology, & Modeling; Global Policy & Advocacy; and Global Health Agencies & Funds. This role also collaborates with the AI Core Team and Program Strategy Teams on other infectious disease surveillance programs to ensure coordination and integration of surveillance activities. Taking advantage of the promise of AI and preventing an AI digital divide in Africa and other areas of the global south is a high priority area for the Foundation. As such, this role will be responsible for developing our overarching strategy for public health surveillance applications in AI, as well as other applications of information technology to public health surveillance and epidemic readiness. This person will also provide technical assistance to other PSTs and advocate for the safe, responsible use of AI as a force multiplier to improve public health surveillance in LMICs.
- Create and implement a strategy for digital innovation, including AI, to improve actionable, integrated, and timely information for public health decision-makers in the global south
- Develop a strategy for the Foundation’s work on public health informatics and AI for public health surveillance, consistent with our theory of change, with quantifiable impact goals
- Develop a clear understanding of specific ecosystem constraints and opportunities related to AI for public health surveillance
- Map the pathways by which promising public health surveillance technologies transition from small, defined proof-of concepts to minimal viable products and ultimately scaled products/applications that are sustainable across multiple countries
- Identify a key set of partners and stakeholders for success in this focus area across the technical, advocacy, government, academic and funding spheres
- Use your scientific and technical expertise to identify, develop, and manage a portfolio of strategic investments related to our strategy
- Review submitted concept notes and grant proposals to support projects and programs on public health informatics for surveillance, including global and national data architecture, norms, and standards; unique health ID and privacy-preserving record linkage; early warning systems for outbreak detection and notification
- Shape and manage investments on AI tool effectiveness, safety, and regulatory strategies for AI-informed public health surveillance in LMICs
- Develop an overarching evaluation plan to understand the viability of tools deployed in LMIC settings and why they succeed or fail
- Ensure that funding is appropriately managed and where appropriate, done in collaboration with other foundation teams and external funders
- Prepare background documents, briefs, and presentations for internal leadership and external stakeholders related to information technology and AI for public health surveillance
- Ensure investments are well aligned to strategies and led with a needs-based (versus tools-based) approach
- Build and manage highly collaborative grantee and partner relationships to maximize impact of projects and ensure optional learning. This may include identifying and cultivating partner relationships; conducting site visits; providing technical expertise and guidance; and convening meetings of key partners
- Represent the foundation and influence global, regional, and country agendas in line with global objectives. The role will require the ability to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally to grantee meetings, conferences, and convenings.
Your Experience
- Doctoral degree in data science, public health informatics, epidemiology, computer science, or related data-centric field with 10+ years of technology development/application experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Technical expert/leader in information technology and public health informatics including processes, systems, and tools, as well as a demonstrated understanding of AI at a conceptual level
- Knowledge of the public health surveillance, informatics, and AI landscape, particularly in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America
- Ability to collaborate effectively in a matrixed environment - manage, organize and prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines within a fast-paced environment with multiple and competing demands
- Experience working on teams with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds
- Experience building and managing productive relationships with governments, Ministries of Health, National Public Health Institutes, NGOs, academic institutions, and global funders is required
Other Attributes
- Experience working in low- and middle-income countries strongly preferred
- Experience in having supported the development, testing, launch, or scale-up of any AI-based technology is a plus
- Excellence in scientific writing and data analysis, written and oral communication skills, and experience synthesizing technical information toward strategic decision making
- Proven ability to assess concepts and approaches with potential for high impact
- Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and, through analytical thinking and creativity, able to turn ambiguity into clarity and impact
The salary range for this role is $229,100 to $355,200. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $249,600 to $386,900 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.
NOTE: This position will remain open until filled.
