Manager - Health Products, Access and Choices

Main purpose of the role

This role is an exciting opportunity to independently manage programmes and contribute to development of programmes across CIFF’s Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights and Child Health portfolios. The role will be responsible for growing and supporting an ambitious portfolio of market shaping strategies to expand access to new and underutilized products and technologies across our portfolio including contraceptives, diagnostics, devices and other therapeutics. Across these portfolios, CIFF is investing across the value chain from mobilizing R&D to de-risking market entry and securing quality access in public and private sectors.  

Working primarily across CIFF’s Health portfolios, this role will primarily support the Director of Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights on a regular basis and support the Child Health and Nutrition portfolio as requested. This role will manage a large portfolio (approx. $68 M) and growing portfolio of existing and new investments aimed at:

• Expanding access to reversible contraceptive choices in through both public and private delivery channels 
• Unlock and serve latent demand for newer and underused methods, reduce financial barriers, test and scale innovative service delivery approaches.
• Lead the landscaping of health product innovation and introduction, identifying emerging trends and opportunities.  
• Develop and implement strategic approaches to inform investment decisions and design effective go-to-market strategies, ensuring optimal impact and scalability of health product solutions. 
• Generate evidence learnings and to enable its objectives and improve programmes. 
• Work with other partners in the ecosystem to provide philanthropic leadership on choices and linking it to life choices and economic empowerment of women  
• Scaling up other innovative health solutions aimed at reducing low-birth weight and child nutrition – therapeutics, diagnostics, devices etc.  

This role will require close collaboration with other teams within CIFF India and the Global SRHR team. It will also entail collaborating with the portfolios’ counterparts based in London and other geographies.

Role’s responsibilities

Strategy & planning

• In collaboration with the broader team, using expert knowledge, lead on the development and implementation of strategies related to end-to-end lifecycle management of new and existing health products and technologies, with aim to drive greater sectoral resilience and market growth 
• Work with key internal and external stakeholders to evolve analytical tools, capabilities, and partner architecture for strengthened coordination and decision-making across CIFF’s growing SRHR portfolio. 
• Prepare and present high-quality analysis and research and extend support planning for evidence generation/ implementation research on priority areas , for improving programme performance,  strengthening govt programmes,  systems strengthening,    identify and execute on market scoping, introduction and scale up efforts for health products (including diagnostics), improving private sector performance and working towards reducing financial barriers for end-users, operationalising self care for SRHR,  etc.  
• Create a deep collaboration with global SRHR colleagues, especially in managing manufacturer partnerships, and work  towards the delivery of  aligned investments. 
• Provide global, regional, national and sectoral insights, which contribute to the strategy and planning process. 
• Lead, contribute and collaborate for the development of pipeline investments alongside associated evidence base to ensure it is outcome focussed, compelling and effective.  

Programme development, delivery & performance

• Responsibility for personal pipeline and delivery targets of $10-20 m and $20-30 m respectively
• Support design of high quality investment proposals to develop and scale specific health products and technologies to achieve CIFF’s charitable objectives, 
• Ensure high-quality and independent programme management for existing investments with a focus on using data, measurement and costing.  Provide data inputs for design and review of performance dashboards; build robust indicators for measurement of impact, and work towards achieving 'target unit cost optimisation'.
• Conduct regular reviews of the progress and performance of programmes under delivery to identify problems and delays, and work with partners to develop effective solutions (escalating to more senior colleagues for support and intervention, where required). 
• Work as part of a team to shape and implement plans for scaling up, replicating or leveraging additional support for successful programmes and initiatives, in accordance with CIFF priorities. 
• Identify opportunities and options and share recommendations for improving processes, procedures and programme management approaches within (and beyond) the team, to support increased organisational efficiency and effectiveness and build sustainability. 
• Identify and embed appropriate data, evidence, performance and impact processes to all proposals and programmes. 
• Leverage their expertise and conceptual thinking to understand complex issues and their implications, and devise fit for purpose solutions based on limited information, with a longer-term view, aligned with strengthening the ecosystem.
• Against key corporate and/ or sector team indicators and targets, including for CIFF-India and SRHR missions, monitor and report internally on the performance of assigned portfolio. 
• Apply agreed due diligence and risk management protocols appropriately throughout the development and delivery of proposals and programmes, to ensure the interests and reputation of the Foundation are protected. 
• Work closely with members of the Finance and Legal team to coordinate the development of grant agreements, to forecast and process grant payments and to enable effective grant management and reporting within the organisation  
• Lead preparation of summary reports, board reports and portfolio investment reports, to ensure these are produced to a high-standard and in a timely fashion - which can often mean to high-quality in rapid timeframes. 

Sector knowledge and profile-building

• Working closely with SRHR, other CIFF teams and stakeholders, to build and maintain a range of relevant knowledge and information resources, that enable the teams to access high quality intelligence, analysis and data to inform current and future programme activity. Keep abreast of developments within the health and international development sectors, establishing appropriate information gathering networks and channels to deepen professional knowledge and skills. 
• As required, contribute to the development of thought leadership, PR, marketing and advocacy materials, to support CIFF’s ambitions to scale-up, mainstream and leverage additional support for its initiatives. 
• Act as CIFF’s external representative across various fora, such as FP 2030 country focal point structure, advisory groups / steering committees and / or donor collaboration mechanisms.   

Stakeholder and partner management

• Conduct rigorous research and evaluation of potential partners, using agreed corporate protocols and techniques, to assess their suitability and credentials for collaborating on CIFF initiatives.
• Drive effective partnership management, including both ecosystem collaboration and government engagement where applicable
• In accordance with corporate guidelines and requirements, maintain accurate and up-to-date records and systems on behalf of the team, to ensure CIFF can take a coordinated and professional approach to managing stakeholders and partners. 
•  Act as the first point of contact for external enquiries about the work of the Sector or requests to partner with CIFF, to ensure these are dealt with in a professional and timely way. 
• Working alongside colleagues, help to develop strategic partnerships to support adoption, replication, co-funding or scaling-up of CIFF programmes. 
• With a variety of external audiences, develop and maintain strong partnerships and act as a knowledgeable resource about CIFF’s programmes and priority areas, and support CIFF’s ecosystem development approach to achieve priority goals  
• Disseminate various programmatic / research learnings (using reports / briefs / presentations) at appropriate forums  
• Support co-funding efforts from government or domestic philanthropies on priority areas 

Membership and leadership of the team

• This role does not hold line management responsibility, but we expect all employees to demonstrate good leadership behaviours; this includes adopting a coaching approach with colleagues to help build skills, confidence and capability in particular areas, processes or procedures. 
• As required, support on the planning and coordination of inductions for new joiners to the team. 
• We operate a matrix structure so reporting lines can vary between specific aspects of the role.  

Skills & Experience

• Progressively responsible leadership roles in demanding and diverse organisations. 
• Proven experience in supporting introduction of new products & technologies from R&D through launch and scale 
• Very strong programme management skills, with a focus on supporting implementation, data management, an eye for detail while reviewing data, and financial  management.  
• Experience of working in health service provision in both public and private sector contexts in India, preferably with sexual and reproductive health and rights.  
• Sound experience of data analysis (both quantitative and qualitative) and visualization /presentation using primary and secondary data sources 
• Experience of managing programmes, pick up successes and barriers  and ability to suggest and track course correction steps.   
• Ability to set priorities, think and write critically, objectively and strategically. Ability to synthesize ideas and documents into brief and strategic communication.  
• Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability work well as a team player and within matrix structures  
• Excellent communication skills in English; ability to speak, read and write in Hindi is desirable  
• A self-starter, able to look after themselves with limited close management. 

Key working relationships

• CIFF departments and teams –across sector teams (such as Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights, Child Health & Development, Girl Capital, Child Protection, and the global SRHR team) as well as others like CEO’s Office, Finance, Legal, Digital and Technology Solutions, and Ecosystem Development teams.  
• CIFF grantees across different geographies 
• Government, private sector; international and national foundations, NGOs – e.g. State & Central Ministry of Health; Indian philanthropies, multilateral and bilateral agencies, etc. 
• Research and academic institutions active within sector specialism

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package here at CIFF that includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Annual leave - 25 days per annum. Increasing by 1 day after each year of service, to a maximum of 30 days.
• Bonus - CIFF currently operates a discretionary bonus scheme.
• Training allowance
• Wellbeing allowance
• Life insurance
• Medical insurance