Application Guide

How to Apply for Consultant, Social and Behavioral Sciences Advisor

at PATH

🏢 About PATH

PATH is a global health nonprofit dedicated to accelerating health equity through innovation. Working at PATH means contributing to life-saving solutions in partnership with governments and communities worldwide, with a strong focus on practical, scalable impact.

About This Role

This role is critical in ensuring that diagnostic tools for Ebola are not only scientifically valid but also socially and behaviorally appropriate for the communities they serve. You will lead research to understand and address barriers to uptake, directly influencing how new health technologies are introduced in outbreak settings.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with partners in francophone Africa to discuss study progress, drafting qualitative interview guides, and analyzing data from community focus groups. You might also be developing training materials for local enumerators or coordinating with PATH's diagnostics team to ensure behavioral insights are integrated into product development.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who PATH Is Looking For

  • Advanced degree in social/behavioral sciences, public health, or implementation science with 5+ years of experience in global health research.
  • Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing mixed-methods research (qualitative and quantitative) in low-resource or outbreak settings.
  • Professional fluency in both French and English, with excellent cross-cultural communication skills.
  • Experience in Ebola or other outbreak response, with a strong understanding of community engagement and ethical research practices in humanitarian contexts.

📝 Tips for Applying to PATH

1

Highlight any specific experience with Ebola or other high-consequence infectious diseases, even if it was in a different capacity.

2

Detail your proficiency in French and English, and provide examples of using both in professional contexts.

3

Emphasize your ability to design research protocols that incorporate community perspectives, especially in low-resource settings.

4

Showcase your collaboration with local health authorities or community organizations in past projects.

5

Tailor your resume to emphasize implementation science and the practical application of behavioral insights, not just academic research.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for integrating social and behavioral science into global health interventions to improve health outcomes.', 'Specific examples of designing and implementing mixed-methods research that influenced program or policy decisions.', 'Your experience working in multicultural, multilingual teams and your fluency in French and English.', "Your understanding of the unique challenges of community engagement during outbreak response and how you've navigated them."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review PATH's current projects and publications related to Ebola and diagnostic innovations.
  • → Familiarize yourself with PATH's approach to community engagement and health equity in their programs.
  • → Look into recent Ebola outbreaks in West Africa and the DRC to understand the context and challenges.
  • → Learn about PATH's partnerships with governments and local organizations in francophone African countries.
Visit PATH's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time when you adapted a research protocol to a low-resource or crisis setting.
2 How would you approach gaining community trust and ensuring informed consent in an Ebola-affected region?
3 Explain how you would integrate behavioral science insights into the design of a diagnostic validation study.
4 What are some common barriers to diagnostic uptake among healthcare workers and patients in outbreak settings, and how would you investigate them?
5 How do you ensure your research findings are actionable for product introduction and policy?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid a generic cover letter; make sure it clearly links your experience to the specific requirements of this role.
  • Do not overlook the importance of French proficiency; if you have any level of French, highlight it and provide evidence.
  • Avoid focusing only on academic research without demonstrating practical, field-based experience in global health settings.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to PATH!

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