Application Guide
How to Apply for Founding Director / Director of Operations
at First Embrace
🏢 About First Embrace
First Embrace is a global charity uniquely focused on scaling WHO-recommended neonatal hospital care worldwide, with a mission-driven approach to improving infant health outcomes. As a remote-first organization, it offers the opportunity to impact neonatal care on a global scale while working flexibly.
About This Role
As Founding Director/Director of Operations, you'll lead the strategic and operational scaling of WHO-recommended neonatal care programs across hospitals globally. This role involves overseeing program implementation, managing partnerships with healthcare institutions, and ensuring the charity's mission translates into measurable health improvements for newborns.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves virtual meetings with hospital partners across different time zones, reviewing program implementation data, developing operational strategies for scaling interventions, and collaborating with the remote team on grant proposals and impact reporting. You'll balance strategic planning with hands-on problem-solving for program delivery challenges.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who First Embrace Is Looking For
- Proven experience in scaling global health programs, particularly in maternal/child health or hospital systems improvement
- Strong background in nonprofit operations, including remote team management and cross-cultural collaboration
- Demonstrated ability to work with international health organizations (like WHO) and navigate healthcare systems in developing regions
- Experience in fundraising, grant management, and building partnerships with healthcare institutions and government bodies
📝 Tips for Applying to First Embrace
Highlight specific experience scaling health programs in hospital settings, particularly in low-resource environments
Demonstrate understanding of WHO neonatal care guidelines and how they can be implemented practically
Showcase remote leadership experience managing distributed teams across time zones
Quantify impact from previous roles (e.g., 'increased program reach by X% across Y hospitals')
Reference First Embrace's specific mission in your application materials, showing you've researched their approach
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your experience implementing WHO guidelines or similar evidence-based protocols in healthcare settings', 'Specific examples of scaling health programs operationally, including challenges overcome', "How you've managed remote or distributed teams in the nonprofit/health sector", 'Your approach to measuring and reporting impact in global health initiatives']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → First Embrace's current programs and geographic focus areas
- → WHO's Essential Newborn Care Course and Kangaroo Mother Care guidelines
- → Neonatal health challenges in regions where First Embrace operates
- → How other global health charities successfully scale hospital-based interventions
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic applications that don't reference neonatal health or WHO guidelines specifically
- Overemphasis on clinical experience without operational/scaling expertise
- Lack of remote work experience or cross-cultural management examples
📅 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:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!