How to apply for Colombia Health Regulatory Expert (Consultant)

About ThinkWell Global

ThinkWell Global is a health systems development organization that helps low- and middle-income countries advance universal health coverage through health financing reform. This role sits at the intersection of that work and Colombia's regulatory environment, so you would contribute directly to a white paper that informs reform. The position is remote and full-time, with a consulting structure.

About the role

You will map Colombian laws, decrees, resolutions, and reforms relevant to the white paper, including Ley 2294 de 2023, the INVIMA reform bill, and the government's deregulation agenda. You will conduct and document about 10 interviews across two rounds with officials at INVIMA, MinSalud, and other institutions, plus health associations and gremios. You will assess legal feasibility of candidate reforms, identify the right instrument and approval pathway for each, and verify all legal references and institutional responsibilities in the draft and final white paper.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing Colombian laws, decrees, and resolutions for the white paper, drafting interview notes or summaries, and coordinating with officials at INVIMA, MinSalud, or gremios. You would also assess legal feasibility of candidate reforms and verify references and institutional responsibilities in the draft or final white paper. Because the role is remote and consulting, your schedule would depend on interview availability and project deadlines.

Who ThinkWell Global is looking for

• At least 10 years of experience in Colombian health law, regulation, or policy, with direct knowledge of INVIMA, MinSalud, and the legislative process.
• Established relationships with government officials and sector associations, including the ability to secure and document interviews with INVIMA, MinSalud, and gremios.
• Fluent Spanish and professional working English, with a law degree or an advanced degree in health policy or a related field.
• Any relationships with pharmaceutical, device, or insurance companies, EPS, or gremios must be disclosed. Candidates should be ready to state these clearly in their application.

Tips for this application

• In your application, name the specific Colombian legal instruments you have worked with, such as Ley 2294 de 2023, INVIMA reform proposals, or deregulation measures. Avoid general statements about health law experience.
• Describe your direct interactions with INVIMA, MinSalud, and gremios. List the types of officials or associations you can reach, without overstating access.
• Disclose any relationships with pharmaceutical, device, or insurance companies, EPS, or gremios upfront. This is a stated requirement, so omitting it is a risk.
• Show that you understand the difference between mapping laws and assessing legal feasibility, and that you can identify the right instrument and approval pathway for a reform.
• Confirm your Spanish and English proficiency with concrete examples, such as documents drafted or interviews conducted in each language.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your 10 or more years in Colombian health law, regulation, or policy, with specific examples tied to INVIMA, MinSalud, and the legislative process.', 'Your ability to conduct and document interviews with government officials, health associations, and gremios, including about 10 interviews across two rounds.', 'Your experience mapping laws, decrees, resolutions, and reforms, and assessing legal feasibility and approval pathways.', 'Your disclosure of any relationships with pharmaceutical, device, or insurance companies, EPS, or gremios, and how you manage any conflicts.']

Research before applying

• Read ThinkWell Global's work on health financing reform and universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries to understand how this white paper fits their approach.
• Review Ley 2294 de 2023, the current INVIMA reform bill, and recent Colombian government deregulation measures so you can speak to them in detail.
• Identify the key institutions and gremios in Colombia's health sector, including INVIMA, MinSalud, and associations relevant to pharmaceuticals, devices, and insurance.
• Check ThinkWell's past publications or projects in Colombia or Latin America, if available, to understand their prior regulatory work.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you would map Ley 2294 de 2023, the INVIMA reform bill, and the government's deregulation agenda for the white paper.
• Which officials at INVIMA, MinSalud, and other institutions you can interview, and how you would document about 10 interviews across two rounds.
• How you assess legal feasibility of candidate reforms and choose the right instrument and approval pathway for each.
• How you verify legal references and institutional responsibilities in a draft and final white paper.
• Your relationships with pharmaceutical, device, or insurance companies, EPS, or gremios, and how you would disclose and manage them.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not disclosing relationships with pharmaceutical, device, or insurance companies, EPS, or gremios. The job description states this must be disclosed.
• Claiming established relationships with government officials or sector associations without being able to name specific institutions or describe past interactions.
• Treating the role as general health policy work instead of showing direct knowledge of INVIMA, MinSalud, and the Colombian legislative process.