How to apply for Director, Health Financing, Program
ThinkWell Global
About ThinkWell Global
ThinkWell Global is a mission-driven health systems development organization focused on achieving universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries. Their unique approach combines technical rigor with on-the-ground implementation, making them a leader in health financing reform. Working here offers the chance to influence global health policy and directly improve health outcomes in underserved communities.
About the role
As Director, Health Financing, you will lead ThinkWell's strategic direction in health financing, driving technical excellence and portfolio growth. This role is pivotal in shaping the organization's intellectual capital and mentoring staff, while also engaging with global partners to advance public financial management and resource mobilization. Your work will directly impact the sustainability and effectiveness of health systems in developing nations.
A typical day
A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with a country team in Africa or Asia to provide technical guidance on a health financing project. You might then review a policy brief or draft a thought leadership piece, followed by a call with a global partner like the World Bank to discuss resource mobilization strategies. Later, you could mentor a junior staff member on program design or participate in a webinar on public financial management, balancing strategic planning with hands-on technical support.
Who ThinkWell Global is looking for
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Tips for this application
- 1. Tailor your CV to highlight specific achievements in health financing reform, quantifying results (e.g., 'Led $10M USAID project that improved health budget execution by 20%').
- 2. In your cover letter, mention specific countries or projects where you've worked on public financial management or domestic resource mobilization, showing alignment with ThinkWell's focus.
- 3. Demonstrate thought leadership by linking to your published articles or conference presentations on health financing topics; this shows you can contribute to their intellectual capital.
- 4. Research ThinkWell's current projects and publications, and reference them in your application to show genuine interest and understanding of their work.
- 5. Emphasize your experience in business development and portfolio growth, as the role requires expanding their health financing portfolio.
- 6. Since it's a remote role, highlight your ability to work effectively in a distributed team and across time zones, with examples of virtual collaboration.
- 7. Avoid generic language; use specific terminology from the job description like 'public financial management', 'outcomes-based financing', and 'resource mobilization'.
- 8. If you have experience in mentoring or capacity building, provide concrete examples of how you've developed technical staff.
- 9. Consider including a brief statement on your vision for advancing universal health coverage, showing strategic thinking.
- 10. Proofread carefully, but also ensure your application reflects a passion for health equity and systems strengthening.
What to cover in your cover letter
["1. Your global expertise in health financing and public financial management, with specific examples of reforms you've led.", "2. Your experience in program design and portfolio growth, especially in LMICs, and how you've secured funding.", '3. Your thought leadership and ability to represent an organization in global forums, with links to publications.', "4. Your mentoring and capacity-building skills, showing how you've developed teams in technical areas."]
Draft a cover letterResearch before applying
- 1. Review ThinkWell's website and read their latest publications on health financing, especially those related to public financial management.
- 2. Look at their current projects and countries of operation to understand their portfolio and where they might be expanding.
- 3. Check recent news or blog posts from ThinkWell to see their current priorities and messaging.
- 4. Familiarize yourself with key global health financing initiatives like the Global Financing Facility (GFF) and UHC2030, as ThinkWell often collaborates with these.
Likely interview topics
Based on the job description, expect questions about:
- 1. Describe a time you led a health financing reform in a low-resource setting. What were the challenges and outcomes?
- 2. How do you stay current with global health financing trends, and how would you apply them to ThinkWell's work?
- 3. Given ThinkWell's focus on public financial management, how would you approach engaging ministries of finance to increase domestic health budgets?
- 4. What is your experience with outcomes-based financing, and can you provide an example of how you've implemented it?
- 5. How would you mentor a team of health financing specialists across different countries to ensure technical excellence?
Common mistakes to avoid
- 1. Overemphasizing clinical or public health experience without a strong focus on financing and economics.
- 2. Providing generic examples that don't tie directly to public financial management or resource mobilization in LMICs.
- 3. Ignoring the remote aspect – failing to demonstrate skills in virtual collaboration and self-management.
- 4. Not showing a clear understanding of ThinkWell's specific approach or being too academic without practical program experience.
Deadline
No deadline is listed. Roles without a deadline usually close once the employer has enough candidates, so apply soon if you are interested.