Principal Technical Advisor – Global Maternal and Neonatal Programs

The CDC Foundation helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) save and improve lives by unleashing the power of collaboration between CDC, philanthropies, corporations, organizations and individuals to protect the health, safety and security of America and the world. The CDC Foundation is the go-to nonprofit authorized by Congress to mobilize philanthropic partners and private-sector resources to support CDC’s critical health protection mission. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has raised over $1.9 billion and launched more than 1,300 programs impacting a variety of health threats from chronic disease conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer, to infectious diseases like rotavirus and HIV, to emergency responses, including COVID-19 and Ebola. The CDC Foundation managed hundreds of programs in the United States and in more than 90 countries last year. Visit www.cdcfoundation.org for more information.  

Position Highlights

Location: Remote (with regular travel to Tanzania and other low- and middle-income countries). Candidates must be based in the United States.

Salary Range: $155,000 - $175,000, plus benefits

Position Type: Grant funded, limited-term opportunity contingent upon funding

Position End Date: June 30, 2027

Overview

The principal technical advisor (PTA) for global maternal and neonatal programs provides technical leadership and strategic guidance for an initiative aimed at expanding access to high-quality emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC) in Tanzania and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The PTA leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of program activities that strengthen health systems, establish centers of excellence, and enhance the capacity of health facilities to deliver evidence-based maternal and neonatal care. The PTA ensures that all interventions are grounded in best practices, responsive to local contexts, and aligned with global standards and national priorities.

With a strong commitment to the CDC Foundation’s mission, the PTA – in coordination with the program team – is responsible for the technical execution and coordination of the program, working closely with ministries of health, in-country partners, and global experts. The PTA will leverage expertise and experience in delivery and execution of high-quality evaluation approaches to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. This is a high-impact leadership role that requires deep technical expertise and strong partnership skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead the design and execution of a global strategy to expand evaluation of EmONC services in LMICs, with an initial focus on Tanzania.

2. Collaborate with in-country stakeholders to align program goals with national health strategies and policy frameworks.

3. Provide high-level technical expertise in maternal and neonatal health, with a particular focus on EmONC.

4. Oversee assessments of EmONC service availability and facility readiness using standardized tools.

5. Promote evidence-based interventions and innovations that enhance quality of care and health outcomes.

6. Mentor and support in-country technical teams and partner organizations.

7. Design and implement training programs to strengthen the clinical and managerial capacity of healthcare workers.

8. Promote continuous learning and quality improvement practices within participating health facilities.

9. Lead the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track program performance and impact.

10. Oversee the collection and analysis of data to inform adaptive management and strategic decision-making.

11. Contribute to the global evidence base by documenting lessons learned, best practices, and impact findings.

12. Build and maintain strategic partnerships with ministries of health, international agencies, donors, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.

13. Represent the program in global health forums, technical working groups, and donor meetings.

14. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts through proposal development and donor engagement.

15. Travels domestically or internationally as needed to represent the designated programs and the CDC Foundation (up to 30 percent annually).

16. Participates in and/or leads special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Necessary Skills

1. Medical, Doctor of Philosophy or other terminal degree from an accredited college or university required.

2. Minimum of 10 years of direct experience in international maternal and neonatal health, with demonstrated leadership experience in EmONC required.

3. Proven experience designing and implementing large-scale health programs in LMICs, in partnership with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

4. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and motivate culturally and geographically diverse teams.

5. Expertise in health systems strengthening, capacity building, and quality improvement.

6. Established publication record including peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference presentations, and global technical guidance.

7. Strong intercultural communication and conflict resolution skills in diverse, multilingual environments.

8. Demonstrated success fostering an inclusive environment working with and leading professionals from diverse backgrounds and geographies.

9. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience effectively communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and senior leaders from diverse backgrounds.

10. Ability to represent the CDC Foundation and its partners, leading discussions and negotiations concerning global maternal and neonatal programs.

11. Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; collegial, energetic and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, donors and partners.

12. Sound judgment and maturity, exemplified by consistent professionalism in collaborating with individuals of varying levels of seniority both internally and externally.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, veteran status, and all other characteristics protected by law.

We comply with all applicable laws including E.O. 11246 and the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 governing employment practices and do not discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria in accordance with 41 C.F.R. §§ 60-300.5(a)(12) and 60-741.5(a)(7). As a federal government contractor, we take affirmative action on behalf of protected veterans.

The CDC Foundation is a smoke-free environment.

Relocation expenses are not included.