About the Global Surgery Foundation

Five billion people in the world today lack access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical care. Surgically avertable deaths, including those from cancer, maternal complication, and traumatic injury, cause more death and disability than HIV, malaria, and TB combined, making it a neglected global epidemic, according to the World Health Organisation.

Strong surgical care systems form the backbone of healthcare systems and are fundamental to achieving Universal Health Coverage and The Sustainable Development Goals. Investing in surgical care services is affordable, saves lives, and promotes economic growth. Poor access to surgical care will cost low- and middle-income countries an estimated US$12.3 trillion by 2030 if no action is taken now.

With this in mind, the Global Surgery Foundation (GSF), an alliance of key global health leaders, including the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Harvard Medical School, and Smile Train, was launched in 2020 at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Its mission is to support countries in their efforts to scale up access to safe and affordable surgical care, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

About the position

Addressing neglected women’s health needs represents one of the best investments in global health and can have a lasting impact on families and communities. Sadly, women face severe inequity in accessing health care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) resulting in poor health outcomes that lead to not only death and disability but significant negative economic impact on families and communities. The GSF Women’s Health Programme prioritizes the following areas to address women’s surgical needs and to catalyze meaningful and sustained impact: Maternal Health, Cervical Cancer, and Breast Cancer.

Working under the supervision of the Women’s Health Team Lead, the Senior Technical Officer: Design, Research, Evaluation & Learning will provide technical leadership and support to the Women’s Health Team, and across the organization as needed, as outlined in Responsibilities below. The Senior Technical Officer will work closely with the Women’s Health Team Lead to ensure effective processes and outputs from the team.

This position requires an in-depth understanding of (a) global surgery, and especially within women’s health, (b) program design, (c) program implementation, (d) research, (e) continuous learning and adaptation. The Senior Technical Officer is also expected to contribute to Women’s Health’s and GSF’s overall organizational and programme development.

This is a senior level position for a highly dedicated and motivated individual striving for excellence.

Responsibilities

The Senior Technical Officer will be responsible for tasks related to 1) technical expertise and support, 2) planning, monitoring, documenting, and adapting, and 3) partnerships.

Technical Leadership and Support:

• Provide technical expertise and guidance to ensure quality, up-to-date Women’s Health programming, designing, and supporting global surgery initiatives to improve women’s health surgical outcomes in LMICs.
• Help ensure that project activities are targeting the right beneficiaries, at the right levels of the health system, to ensure program success.
• Provide research expertise in guiding program implementation, facilitating learning and adaptation, and supporting evidence-based policy decisions.
• Provide project proposal and grant development support.
• Support development and growth of Women’s Health portfolio, including through fundraising efforts and partnership development.
• Support knowledge exchange, learning, and adaptation within the organization and across projects.

Planning, Monitoring, Documenting and Adapting:

• Provide expertise and support to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of projects, and to ensure program data is being used for program decision‐making and that targets and expected achievements are met.
• Develop work plans, quarterly and annual reports, and other program-related documents.
• Support development of compelling, accurate content for program communication efforts.
• Provide documentation of lessons learned/best practices and adaptation of program activities based on learnings; help identify successes, challenges, and lessons learned.

Partnerships:

• Facilitate partnerships and collaborations between GSF and other organizations, stakeholders, and individuals working in women’s health and global surgery.
• Coordinate and/or represent GSF and Women’s Health in professional circles through meetings and conferences.

Requirements

Education

• Master of Public Health or graduate degree in related area (e.g., health administration, health policy)

Experience

• Minimum 5 years in similar position;
• Familiarity with global initiatives, partners, and historical trends in global surgery and women’s health;
• Strong understanding of health systems challenges in LMIC;
• Proven, demonstrable leadership skills and expertise in strategic program planning, implementation, and management;
• Experience with new business development, including writing and reviewing proposals and leading technical design of programs;
• Extensive experience in research, implementation, learning and adapting, including helping health systems adapt and scale global recommendations;
• Excellent understanding of various donor systems, structures, and processes;
• Strongly team-oriented;
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including the ability to communicate technical content verbally, in writing, and through dynamic presentations
• Experience representing organization(s) in key global and regional technical meetings and committees, and participating in international conferences and meetings;
• Appreciation for socio-cultural differences in countries, preferably having worked in one or more low resource settings;
• Ability to travel up to 30% - to support projects in LMICs, to Geneva, and to conferences/meetings.

Language

• Primary working fluency in English is required,
• Working fluency in a second language (e.g., French) is preferred;

Additional information

Important

• This is a temporary position (12 months) with potential for renewal based on Candidate performance and availability of project funding;
• Candidate must be eligible for obtaining a work permit in Switzerland or be in possession of a work permit in their location of residence.

Location

• Geneva, Switzerland
• For suitable candidates, a “remote-work contract” may be possible.

Start date and duration

• 28 August 2023 for 12 months

Time commitment

•   100% FTE

How to apply

Please contact John Varallo at j.varallo@globalsurgeryfoundation.org and include:

1. Your CV
2. A short (1-page ) cover letter detailing your motivation for applying
3. Email addresses & phone numbers of three references

Please use the following email subject: [your name] - GSFC.2023.JP.003.SeniorTechnicalOfficer.

Application deadline: 9 August 2023.

Candidates who pass the initial screening may be invited to complete a graded assessment in addition to a first interview.