Deputy Director, HIV Primary Prevention

Deputy Director, HIV Primary Prevention

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Johannesburg, South Africa

Your Role

The Deputy Director, HIV Primary Prevention will support the Director, Africa Health and the Director, HIV & TB Delivery, in achieving their goals by supporting the development and implementation of the foundation’s HIV primary prevention portfolio.

You will integrate and collaborate with technical/functional colleagues across the PST and the Africa Regional Office. Responsibilities will include managing the execution of a growing and complex portfolio of investments in HIV delivery and focusing on strengthening partnerships with global health institutions, and Africa health teams, to meet their strategic objectives. You will build the capability of the PST to ensure impact across the HIV delivery portfolio. You will own the management, integration and oversight of portfolios of foundation investments (grants and contracts) through a highly matrixed organization, while also working with external partners to drive progress toward our goals. You will participate in cross global health efforts to enhance our integration, accelerate impact, and maintain a cohesive and dynamic culture.

The role is based in Johannesburg, however, for the right candidate, we may be open to considering candidates from geographies in Africa where we have offices. The postholder will report to the Director, Health, Africa, with a dotted line to the Director, HIV/TB Delivery.

What You'll Do

  • Be accountable for innovations in designing and implementing strategies to assist our focus countries (e.g. Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe) to reduce HIV incidence and mortality.
  • Work with members of the HIV Delivery team and assist them to plan and execute their strategies with fidelity.
  • Work with the team to plan and implement new prevention technologies and strengthen implementation of existing prevention technologies.
  • Provide strategic guidance in crafting grants and contracts that require research, modeling and analytics.
  • Facilitate development of annual and multiyear investment plans and budgets, develop and modify and implement strategies under the leadership of the Director, Health, Africa, and the Director, HIV/TB Delivery.
  • Lead partnerships with internal and external partners and grantees to advance the foundation’s priorities for HIV.
  • Accountable for the identification and assessment of key portfolio risks and the development and management of mitigation plans.
  • Work with foundation leadership as requested to address cross-cutting issues and improve functions and performance.
  • Advise, mentor and support colleagues within the HIV Delivery team and their grantees in the design, enhancement and execution of the innovation for delivery strategy.
  • Participate in and learn from the program strategy and other teams, practice Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) efforts to ensure that we are continuing to make progress towards realizing our commitments.

Investment Relationship and Management:

  • Identify promising areas of implementation science research and innovation to fill key gaps in our knowledge of the interventions needed for more rapidly reducing the burden of HIV as well as develop and/or guide the development of related Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and specific proposals.
  • Provide strategic guidance in crafting grants and contracts that require complex research or analytics.
  • Make and manage investments as requested by Directors, including managing internal processes and progress. while ensuring appropriate documentation, budgeting and reporting.
  • Consult with grantees and other partners to maximize the impact of projects and ensure optimal learning.
  • As requested by both Directors, have relationship manager responsibilities with key partners.
  • Contribute to the design of new strategies, collaborations and implementation plans to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
  • Collaborate with foundation colleagues in related program areas to take advantage of cross-sector grant making opportunities.
  • Conduct high quality interactions and clear and consistent communications with partners in the field.
  • Consult with grantees and other partners to maximize the impact of projects and ensure optimal learning. This may include conducting site visits, providing operational guidance and convening meetings of key stakeholders.
  • Represent the foundation with stakeholders who may include public and private entities, partner organizations, other funders, universities, think tanks and government agencies. May serve on external boards and working groups.

Your Experience

The foundation is seeking a global expert specializing in designing and implementing prevention programs at national and global levels, with a preference for HIV prevention experience. The ideal candidate will be a respected member of the HIV community and should have:

  • A PhD, MD or equivalent in a related field is required.
  • A minimum of 15+ years’ experience working in the field of prevention, ideally HIV prevention. Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa would be a strong asset.
  • Thorough and up-to-date technical knowledge of epidemiology and behavioral methods.
  • Record of high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Proven ability to influence others and collaborating with a diverse set of experts.
  • Experience in strategic planning and strategy implementation.
  • High detail orientation and affinity for data, with the ability to artfully manage tactical execution while remaining objective when absorbing and presenting information.
  • Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgement in developing methods, techniques and evaluating criteria for obtaining results.
  • Demonstrated excellence in scientific writing and data analysis, written and oral communication skills, and experience advocating and communicating with a broad and diverse audience.
  • Demonstrated capacity and initiative to solve problems with energy and a positive attitude and experience in a role requiring collaboration (both internally and externally), prioritization and results-orientation in a fast-paced, complex organization.
  • Demonstrated successes in architecting consortia in the HIV prevention space that are functional, productive, and collaborative. Experience with consortia that include partner institutions in high burden HIV countries preferred.
  • Intellectual quickness, curiosity, discipline, resourcefulness and resilience.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with efficiency, diplomacy, and flexibility particularly as part of a team. Experience working in teams with diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
  • Strong initiative, organizational skills and ability to work autonomously and cross functionally while remaining flexible to changing tasks, priorities, and roles and responsibilities.
  • Ability and comfort working within a highly matrixed organization.
  • Strong negotiating skills, and effective meeting and relationship facilitation.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Other Attributes

  • Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behaviour with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity.
  • Ability to travel up to 50% domestically and internationally.

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