If you are an experienced maternal health researcher, clinician, or global health professional looking to influence life-saving innovations, the Senior Program Officer, Discovery & Drug Development role at the Gates Foundation presents an exceptional opportunity. This part-time, two-year limited-term position allows experts to shape research and investment strategies aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality in low-resource settings while working remotely within the United Kingdom.

Hosted within the Foundation’s Gender Equality Division, the role focuses on advancing innovative interventions for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. Successful candidates will combine scientific expertise, strategic leadership, and grant management experience to accelerate solutions that improve maternal health globally.

About the Gates Foundation

Gates Foundation is one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations dedicated to reducing poverty, disease, and inequity. Guided by the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life, the Foundation works with governments, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector to develop scalable solutions to global challenges.

Its work spans global health, gender equality, agriculture, education, financial inclusion, and innovation. Within the Gender Equality Division, the Foundation supports initiatives that empower women and girls across Africa and South Asia through improved health, economic opportunity, and leadership.

About the Role

The Senior Program Officer (SPO) will join the Maternal, Newborn, Child Nutrition and Health (MNCNH) team, where they will lead technical and strategic work within the Discovery & Drug Development portfolio.

The successful candidate will oversee investments and research aimed at improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pregnancy-related complications, particularly preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The role combines scientific leadership with grantmaking, partnership development, and strategic programme management.

Position Details

• Position: Senior Program Officer, Discovery & Drug Development
• Organization: Gates Foundation
• Location: Remote – United Kingdom (or London-based)
• Employment Type: Part-time (20 hours per week)
• Contract: Two-Year Limited-Term Employment (LTE)
• Work Authorization: Applicants must have unrestricted authorization to work in the UK.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Program Officer will provide both technical expertise and strategic oversight across a portfolio of maternal health investments.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Managing grants and investments focused on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes.
• Developing investment strategies that identify research gaps and high-impact funding opportunities.
• Providing scientific leadership on maternal health, disease biology, diagnostics, prevention, and treatment.
• Designing and overseeing research programmes in collaboration with grantees and international research partners.
• Monitoring grant performance, budgets, milestones, and programme outcomes.
• Translating scientific evidence into policy recommendations and implementation strategies.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary collaborations across research institutions, governments, and implementing organizations.
• Representing the Foundation at international scientific conferences, advisory committees, and technical meetings.
• Supporting the introduction and scale-up of innovative maternal health interventions in low- and middle-income countries.

This role offers the opportunity to influence research priorities while ensuring investments generate measurable improvements in maternal and newborn health.

Qualifications and Experience

The Foundation is seeking highly experienced professionals with advanced scientific and clinical expertise.

Applicants should possess:

• A PhD, DrPH, MD, OB/GYN qualification, or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant discipline.
• Extensive expertise in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, and/or gestational diabetes.
• Significant experience in clinical research, drug development, product development, or grantmaking.
• Knowledge of maternal health programmes in low- and middle-income countries.
• Strong understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and research ethics.
• Experience managing research portfolios or strategic investments.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.
• Demonstrated success collaborating with governments, universities, international organizations, and research institutions.

Candidates with backgrounds in maternal-fetal medicine, obstetrics, endocrinology, epidemiology, or global maternal health will be particularly well suited to the role.

Why Join the Gates Foundation?

Working at the Gates Foundation offers the opportunity to contribute to some of the world’s most influential global health initiatives.

Benefits of joining include:

• Flexible remote working within the UK
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Foundation-funded retirement contributions
• Generous paid leave and family benefits
• Access to employee communities and professional development opportunities
• A collaborative, diverse, and inclusive workplace culture
• The opportunity to influence global maternal health policies and programmes

Employees work alongside internationally recognized scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and innovators dedicated to improving health outcomes worldwide.

The Impact of This Role

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes remain major causes of maternal illness and death globally, particularly in low-resource settings. By supporting the discovery, development, and implementation of effective interventions, the successful candidate will contribute to reducing preventable maternal and newborn mortality.

The role also offers the opportunity to bridge scientific discovery with practical implementation, ensuring research findings translate into policies and healthcare solutions that reach women where they are needed most.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application through the Gates Foundation careers portal before the vacancy closes.

Applicants should ensure they meet the work authorization requirements and demonstrate strong expertise in maternal health research, grant management, scientific leadership, and collaborative programme development.

Final Thoughts

The Senior Program Officer, Discovery & Drug Development position at the Gates Foundation is an outstanding opportunity for experienced maternal health professionals seeking to shape the future of global health innovation.

With its focus on scientific excellence, strategic investment, and international collaboration, this role allows researchers and clinicians to make a meaningful contribution toward reducing maternal mortality and improving healthcare for women and newborns in some of the world’s most underserved communities. For professionals passionate about translating research into real-world impact, this position represents an exceptional career opportunity.

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