Senior Program Officer, Regional Product Introduction - Women's Health

About the role

The Gates Foundation's Women's Health Innovations (WHI) team, part of the Gender Equality Division, develops and introduces innovative health products for women in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on contraception, STIs and gynecological and menstrual health. The Senior Program Officer, Regional Product Introduction leads investments and supports product introduction and expansion strategies for priority products. The role reports to the Deputy Director of Health Systems for the Africa Regional Office (ARO) and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Key responsibilities

• Work with internal and external stakeholders to develop and execute sustainable introduction strategies for WHI priority products in key geographies
• Lead introduction and commercialization strategies, including GTM planning for the region and select geographies and selecting commercial distribution partners
• Integrate market and user insights into introduction planning and oversee progress against performance indicators
• Consult with grantees, conduct site visits when appropriate, and evaluate milestone-based performance objectives
• Coordinate GTM efforts across ARO platforms and WHI portfolio, working closely with country teams in deep-engagement countries such as DRC, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania and Senegal
• Build relationships with implementing partners, distributors and governments, and review letters of inquiry and grant proposals with analysis and recommendations
• Support inclusive culture, coordinate with other program officers, and escalate issues promptly

Required profile

• Degree in business administration, marketing or a related field
• 10+ years in pharmaceutical, healthcare or consumer healthcare, preferably in women's health
• 5+ years developing and executing commercial strategies for women's health products in emerging markets and/or LMICs
• Proven track record of launching products across public and private sectors
• Unrestricted work authorization in Kenya; up to 40% of the time spent traveling in-country, with occasional trips to Seattle or other ARO locations

Required skills

• Fluency in English; fluency in a local language is an asset
• Strong stakeholder relationship building and communication skills
• Microsoft Office Suite