About the Data Impact Program of the Data for Health Initiative

The Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health Initiative (D4H) aims to enhance public health data collection – specifically in civil registration and vital statistics and cancer registries -- and data use for decision-making and policy-making in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific. Vital Strategies is part of an international consortium of agencies, including WHO and US CDC, partnering with governments in this initiative. 

As part of D4H,  the Data Impact Program  (DIP) provides technical assistance to government public health agencies and national statistics institutes to support data use, i.e., analysis, presentation, dissemination and translation of data into policy. The Program’s objective is to help governments systematically strengthen the use of data in policy development and other key decision areas – to prevent data from being collected but then “left on the shelf”. In each country, the specific activity plan is determined collaboratively with government partners, reflecting government priorities and requested areas of support.

The Position 

The Director, reporting to the Senior Vice President (SVP) for Public Health Programs, will oversee and direct all aspects of the Data Impact Program component of the Data for Health Initiative,  including  planning, budgeting, implementation, reporting and financial management.. Based in the New York office of Vital Strategies, the Director will oversee the program operations in 25 countries throughout Asia, Africa and in Latin America. The program comprises 25 staff, including staff members “embedded” in partnering government agencies, co-accountable to the government and to Vital Strategies. The Director’s responsibilities include leading the development of technical materials; overseeing technical assistance to participating countries; managing the team and recruiting new staff; budget planning and management; and representing the program to the donor and to governmental and nongovernmental partners. This role requires expertise and experience in the technical dimensions of this work, i.e., data analysis and use in policy-making and in program management; in establishing and maintaining strong collaborative relationships with senior government officials and a variety of other stakeholders; and in team leadership and management. 

Specific duties may include:

• Direct all aspects of the Data Impact Program, to strengthen the use of data for decision-making and policymaking in participating countries 
• Implement best practices for data use in policymaking; ensure that technical assistance is scientifically rigorous 
• Oversee and advise on appropriate methods and techniques for conducting policy-relevant analyses
• Oversee implementation and management of Program activities on time and within budget 
• Design and direct development and delivery of technical assistance in participating countries
• Foster and maintain strong collaborative relationships with government partners.  technical assistance includes coaching, training, and producing guides and technical resources for partner benefit
• Collaborate closely with Communications in order to report successful outcomes to the greater community
• Provide technical assistance as needed in grant proposals relevant to the program 
• Manage the Data Impact team, promoting positive working relationships, inclusivity, creativity, teamwork, productivity, and professional growth
• Plan and oversee the program budget
• Oversee program monitoring and evaluation; monitor indicators to ensure the program is reaching its stated goals
• Oversee developing donor reports, provide input and recommendations to donor on Initiative strategy and operations
• Identify and develop opportunities for inter-program collaboration in the Division of Public Health Programs and across the organization, 
• Represent the Program to governmental and non-governmental partners, participate in partner meetings and working groups to discuss the work of the program
• Oversee additional specific projects, as required,
• Provide expert epidemiologic and data use consultation to colleagues across the organization; oversee data analysis, reports and visualizations to support public health decision making
• Support organizational business development around data system/data use strengthening 

Qualifications and skill set:

• Doctoral degree in public health or other relevant field, or medical degree plus Masters degree in a relevant field (e.g. public health, epidemiology, public policy) with 15 or more years of experience in public health practice; or Masters degree with twenty years or more relevant experience 

• Experience working in the government health sector, international public health organization, or as leader of public health projects
• Experience in team leadership and management
• Strong quantitative analytic skills and experience
• Written and oral English language proficiency
• Ability to work independently
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally
• Budget management