Senior Health Specialist/Maternal and Newborn Health
World Bank Group, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Senior Health Specialist/Maternal and Newborn Health
The Senior Health Specialist/MNH will oversee the GFF’s co‑financing and technical assistance to countries to accelerate reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality, and stillbirths. The candidate will represent the GFF in key global MNH partnerships and events, contribute to learning and knowledge management activities, and work closely with other units within the GFF Secretariat to advance MNH programming aims.
Duties and Accountabilities
Provides advice to country clients, World Bank task teams, and the GFF Secretariat on evidence‑based and scale‑able approaches to maternal, newborn, and child health, and stillbirth prevention. Translate technical evidence and best practice into high‑quality investment cases and large‑scale World Bank program development within a health systems approach.
Supports development of relevant metrics and evaluation approaches to enable results and performance‑based financing that improve MNCH performance with a focus on service quality.
Advises on GFF collaboration with internal and external stakeholders on MNCH, including links to education, social protection, and labor market opportunities.
Contributes to knowledge products, including development and dissemination of tools, analytical work, country case studies, and workshops at the regional and global level, collaborating with other teams within the GFF Secretariat.
Supports the GFF in routine reporting to stakeholders and responds to ad‑hoc requests for information on MNH and stillbirth prevention programming across the GFF portfolio, ensuring successful operationalization of the GFF strategy, Transform 2030: Transforming health systems, Saving Lives.
Represents the GFF on global MNH donor and technical partnerships and at relevant events.
Serves as a GFF focal point in one to two partner countries, supporting country‑led processes of investment case development and implementation and stakeholder alignment through a functional country platform. Engages with World Bank regions, country management units, and task teams in the development and implementation of IDA/IBRD operations in support of the investment case, and facilitates Bank access to GFF trust funds for strategic technical assistance, advisory services, and analytics.
Selection Criteria
Doctorate degree in medicine, public health or related field focused on Maternal and/or Newborn Health, or demonstrable equivalent expertise gained through work experience.
At least 10 years of work experience in MNCH in low‑income and complex settings, with specific knowledge and experience implementing evidence‑based MNCH tools, interventions, and approaches into large‑scale programs. Experience integrating MNCH into World Bank operations is an advantage.
Experience working at or in support of primary health care, particularly front‑line provision of high‑quality services.
A firm understanding of primary health care in the context of broader health systems and health financing reforms.
Experience working across sectoral, practice and disciplinary boundaries with multiple stakeholders—public and private—to build collaborative alliances for results.
Track record of successful partner engagement and collaboration within teams and across organizations to deliver high‑quality products.
Experience and knowledge of the World Bank’s operations and business processes is an advantage.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; ability to speak French is an advantage.
Benefits and Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Benefits:
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
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Duties and Accountabilities
Provides advice to country clients, World Bank task teams, and the GFF Secretariat on evidence‑based and scale‑able approaches to maternal, newborn, and child health, and stillbirth prevention. Translate technical evidence and best practice into high‑quality investment cases and large‑scale World Bank program development within a health systems approach.
Supports development of relevant metrics and evaluation approaches to enable results and performance‑based financing that improve MNCH performance with a focus on service quality.
Advises on GFF collaboration with internal and external stakeholders on MNCH, including links to education, social protection, and labor market opportunities.
Contributes to knowledge products, including development and dissemination of tools, analytical work, country case studies, and workshops at the regional and global level, collaborating with other teams within the GFF Secretariat.
Supports the GFF in routine reporting to stakeholders and responds to ad‑hoc requests for information on MNH and stillbirth prevention programming across the GFF portfolio, ensuring successful operationalization of the GFF strategy, Transform 2030: Transforming health systems, Saving Lives.
Represents the GFF on global MNH donor and technical partnerships and at relevant events.
Serves as a GFF focal point in one to two partner countries, supporting country‑led processes of investment case development and implementation and stakeholder alignment through a functional country platform. Engages with World Bank regions, country management units, and task teams in the development and implementation of IDA/IBRD operations in support of the investment case, and facilitates Bank access to GFF trust funds for strategic technical assistance, advisory services, and analytics.
Selection Criteria
Doctorate degree in medicine, public health or related field focused on Maternal and/or Newborn Health, or demonstrable equivalent expertise gained through work experience.
At least 10 years of work experience in MNCH in low‑income and complex settings, with specific knowledge and experience implementing evidence‑based MNCH tools, interventions, and approaches into large‑scale programs. Experience integrating MNCH into World Bank operations is an advantage.
Experience working at or in support of primary health care, particularly front‑line provision of high‑quality services.
A firm understanding of primary health care in the context of broader health systems and health financing reforms.
Experience working across sectoral, practice and disciplinary boundaries with multiple stakeholders—public and private—to build collaborative alliances for results.
Track record of successful partner engagement and collaboration within teams and across organizations to deliver high‑quality products.
Experience and knowledge of the World Bank’s operations and business processes is an advantage.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; ability to speak French is an advantage.
Benefits and Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Benefits:
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
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