The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, weโre committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The TeamOur Global Health Program harnesses advances in science and technology to save lives in poor countries. We focus on the health problems that have a major impact in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) but get too little attention and funding. Where proven tools and interventions exist, we support sustainable ways to improve their delivery and implementation in populations. Where they do not, we invest in research and development of new interventions, such as vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics. Our work in infectious diseases focuses on strategies to fight and prevent HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), neglected tropical diseases, enteric and diarrheal diseases, pneumonia, and polio. The objective of the Enterics, Diagnostics, Genomics, & Epidemiology (EDGE) Team is to improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through advancing products, tools, and platforms designed for in-country implementation, and improving quality of and access to data and information for public health decision making. The team is a trifecta of strategic initiatives that include the Enteric Diarrheal Diseases (EDD), Genomic Epidemiology & Modeling (GEM), and Diagnostics & Device programs. Guided by the burden of disease and the threat of outbreaks, we develop vaccines, diagnostics, and tools for detection and surveillance of pathogens for delivery to our target populations. This position within Diagnostics is in support of our broader strategy focused on end-to-end diagnostic product and platform development with a clear throughline to patient impact in LMICs.
Your Role
We seek a self-starter with point-of-care Diagnostics or Diagnostic Device experience who is passionate about identifying and evaluating novel technologies, can build alignment across stakeholders to advance complex initiatives, and offers strong technical and programmatic leadership. As a key member of the Diagnostics team, the Senior Program Officer (SPO) is accountable for managing a portfolio of investments and partnerships on priority product development efforts that support Diagnostics and Diagnostic Devices Program priorities within the EDGE team and across the foundation. Investments will include sourcing of new diagnostics solutions globally, derisking of novel technologies and platforms, and accelerating the translation of emerging products and platforms into LMIC settings. This role combines strategic tech scouting with end-to-end product development portfolio oversight.
You will report to the Deputy Director, Diagnostics, and work collaboratively across the EDGE team, foundation, and external partners. This role requires up to 30% domestic and international travel.
What Youโll Do
Lead global scouting efforts to identify novel diagnostic technologies across in-vitro diagnostics and diagnostic devices, incl. software as a medical device and AI/ML technologies, aligned with EDGE strategy.
Conduct rigorous technical and strategic due diligence on emerging innovations.
Manage a portfolio of grants and contracts focused on diagnostics and diagnostic devices research and development, including regular tracking of progress, risks, and outcomes, and strategic guidance to partners on regulatory, scalability, and cost factors.
Support the design and refinement of target product profiles, value propositions, and use cases for in-vitro-diagnostics and diagnostic devices
Work with team leadership and foundation partners to inform diagnostics strategy and investment priorities, while staying current on emerging trends, scientific advances, and global health needs.
Build disease specific diagnostic or diagnostic device strategic documents to communicate internally across teams and leadership
Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners from academia, startups, accelerators, and industry.
Represent the foundation at key meetings and in external engagements to advance program goals.
Your Experience and Attributes
MSc, PhD and/or MD with 10+ years of experience in in-vitro, point-of-care diagnostics or diagnostic device innovation and/or product development
Extensive experience sourcing and evaluating novel technologies, including technical and commercial due diligence and investment assessments, particularly with biomedical or public health applications.
Familiarity with global innovation ecosystems, including academic labs, startups, accelerators, and private equity or strategic investors.
Industry experience as a project lead or product manager in diagnostics or diagnostic devices, taking products from early development through regulatory licensure.
Experience leading and managing cross-functional product development plans.
Experience with AI-enabled diagnostics or software as a medical device
Experience working in low-resource or LMIC settings is preferred, but not required.
Ability to think and communicate strategically
Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and enthusiasm in dynamic and complex environments.