Director And Senior Strategist Health Systems

Director and Senior Strategist Health Systems

Washington, DC, US

About PAI

PAI is a nonprofit, civil society organization based in Washington, D.C. Founded almost 60 years ago, we work to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all people through U.S. and global advocacy, partnerships with multisectoral institutions and the funding of community-based organizations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

PAI envisions a world where all people can fully realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights to achieve health equity, economic well-being, and gender equality. We believe that equitable progress for sexual and reproductive health and rights is central in achieving urgent and sustained gains for the health, equality and prosperity of women, youth, and at-risk communities around the world.

PAI advocates on the global stage and works with policymakers in Washington, D.C., to drive supportive and expansive U.S. foreign aid and policy for sexual and reproductive health care. We also provide flexible funding and strategic and technical advocacy support to community-based, women-led, youth-led and youth-focused organizations in over 30 countries so local advocates can advance sexual and reproductive health investment and policy priorities in their own countries and communities.

PAI has embarked upon a new era of impact and excellence. We are committed to sharing our strengths, elevating the achievements of peer civil society organizations around the world, and using evidence, data and policy insights to hold U.S. and global decision-makers accountable.

In the face of ongoing threats to sexual and reproductive health and rights in the United States and around the world, PAI and our network of advocates are not only tackling these threats, but also advancing an agenda for progress where rights can be respected and realized. We are excited to bring on new team members who are inspired by our mission and are committed to community-led advocacy, policy accountability, and collective action to demand, protect, and advance sexual and reproductive health care for all.

To learn more visit www.pai.org.

About the Role

Under the supervision of the vice president of programs, the director of health systems strengthening and financing (HSS/HF) provides strategic and technical advocacy and accountability assistance to CSO partners and coalitions, advances PAI’S global thought leadership to promote universal access to sexual and reproductive health commodities and supplies and care. Drawing on evidence, emerging best practices and real-world expertise and experience the Director defines and drives implementation of strategies to ensure sustainable domestic financing, effective commodities procurement and delivery of commodities and supplies, and provision of equitable care and services through national health systems. The Director will elevate PAI’s point of view, amplify insights and calls to action from relevant technical committees, and build technical partnerships and trusted relationships with academic and research institutions, regional and global bi-lateral, multi-lateral and international institutions, multi-stakeholder coalitions, donors and PAI’s network of civil society partners. This is a highly dynamic role that is externally facing and also requires excellent program/project management skills, strategic communications skills, analytical aptitude and technical HSS/HF expertise in SRHR supplies, commodities and service delivery.  

Essential Responsibilities

Subject Expertise

• Serve as lead subject matter expert on health systems strengthening, health financing, primary health care and universal health coverage, related in particular to increasing access to SRH commodities, supplies, care and services.

• Provide technical expertise to a wide range of stakeholders, including coalition partners, implementing partners, bilateral donors and civil society colleagues in low- and middle-income countries.

• Inform nimble strategy iteration by monitoring the health systems, financing and sexual and reproductive health and rights landscapes, watching trends and consulting with key informants, resulting in rich intelligence gathering and PAI-initiated thought leadership.

• Collaborate with communications staff to develop and disseminate policy-related messaging and respond to external requests for information.

• Develop and review written materials in a range of formats and for a range of audiences.

• Experience with developing investment case and domestic resource mobilization for health as well as with budget tracking and government accountability tools and mechanisms.

• Demonstrated understanding of bi-lateral, multi-lateral and domestic financing landscape, opportunities, and challenges for SRH supplies and commodities.

 Portfolio Management

• Ensure that programmatic strategies have clear objectives, outputs and outcomes, and that those efforts are integrated and complementary.

• Ensure that work is implemented in an efficient, effective and timely manner.

• Ensure any project and/or programmatic milestones are achieved within a given timeframe.

• Oversee the management and monitoring of the portfolio’s budget, including any restricted project funding.

• Oversee management of small grants within the portfolio, including monitoring and communicating with current grantees, drafting requests for proposals, vetting and reviewing proposals, coordinating the award of funding.

Staff Supervision and Mentorship

• Supervise, manage and motivate team members on a daily basis.

• Provide mentorship and support to staff that help build and sustain a strong culture of inclusion, growth and performance.

• Serve as the point of contact for all team members.

• Act proactively to ensure smooth team operations and effective collaboration.

• Lead by setting professional examples and engaging the team to achieve goals.

• For all staff supervised, set clear direction and performance expectations, build individual skills and assess progress.

Donor Relations

• Work with Development team to support the development of donor cultivation and stewardship strategies and donor reporting efforts; identify new funding opportunities to grow and advance the portfolio of work.

• Track and monitor SRH supplies and HSS/HF donor landscape, funding trends and opportunities.

• Build relationships with HSS/HF counterparts at donor institutions, including institutional donors, bi-lateral donors (i.e. USAID, FCDO, etc.) and multi-lateral donors (i.e. World Bank, African Development Bank, UNFPA, etc.)

• Develop HSS/HF advocacy and accountability concept notes in partnership with PAI CSO partners.

External Representation and Thought Leadership

• Represent PAI using consistent organizational messaging, build strong collaborative partnerships with colleagues in other organizations and coalitions and provide subject matter expertise externally at domestic and international conferences, meetings, events and coalitions, as needed.

• In collaboration with communications department leadership, determine relevant opportunities for staff and grantees to showcase their work and raise institutional visibility.

• Proactively identify, develop blogs, Op-Eds, panel participation opportunities, technical webinars, etc. to elevate and amplify calls to action.

• Identify and provide/convene experts to provide capacity strengthening in key SRH and HSS and domestic financing technical areas.

• Other duties as assigned.

 Education and Experience Requirements 

• Master’s degree and a minimum of seven years of work experience in HSS/HF for SRH.
• Outstanding writing and oral communication skills.
• Energized and visionary leader passionate about SRHR and advancing access to SRH.
• Deep commitment to the impact of the primary health care and universal health coverage programs, including possessing the ability to overcome obstacles individually or as a team, make hard decisions and move everyone forward productively.
• Ability to develop solid working relationships with senior leadership across the PAI and represent the organization in high-level contexts externally.
• Highly collaborative, with a demonstrated track record in team building, project and budget design and management.
• Strong commitment to advancing organizational priorities and norms.
• Compelling and thoughtful communication style that meets the needs of internal and external audiences and engenders trust and collaboration.
• Strong management and organizational skills with a capacity to bolster the talents of a diverse, competent and creative team and build a culture of belonging and inclusion.
• Background in policy analysis and issue advocacy; and demonstrated ability to translate data and evidence into compelling and persuasive, issue-oriented HSS/HF information and educational materials; and demonstrated success in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in a rapidly changing policy environment while maintaining focus on long-term goals.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating relationships and building trust to influence policymaking, and proven ability to build strong partnerships to advance global policy goals.
• Inspiring team player with a sense of humor, collaboration and creativity, ability to think strategically and engage new partners.

Salary Range

Annual salary range $130k-$150k, depending on experience. 

PAI offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes health, dental and vision care, direct contribution 403(b) retirement plan, and flexible spending account.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be subject to a background check.

Please note, currently PAI is on a hybrid work schedule, three days a week are required in the office with two days working from home.

PAI believes it is strengthened by the diversity of its staff, and welcomes such diversity, including race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, educational attainment, disability, and veteran status. PAI welcomes applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, and strongly encourages people of color and persons with disabilities to apply. PAI actively cultivates an institutional culture that reflects the values of respect, equity, and inclusion that it seeks to amplify in its work. 

To apply, please visit the PAI career page at www.pai.org/careers