Application Guide
How to Apply for Nutrition Technical Advisor, REACH Malaria
at Path
🏢 About Path
PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to health equity, with a focus on innovation and collaboration to solve the world's most pressing health challenges. Working at PATH means joining a mission-driven team that leverages science and technology to improve health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations in low-resource settings. The REACH Malaria program specifically aims to reduce malaria-related deaths and illnesses, integrating nutrition to address the underlying causes of vulnerability.
About This Role
As the Nutrition Technical Advisor for REACH Malaria, you will lead the integration of nutrition interventions into malaria control strategies, ensuring a holistic approach to child and maternal health. This role is impactful because malnutrition increases the risk of malaria and its severity, so your work will directly contribute to saving lives by addressing both diseases simultaneously. You will collaborate with partners in malaria-endemic countries to design and implement evidence-based nutrition programs.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the REACH Malaria team to discuss progress on nutrition integration in country programs. You could spend the morning reviewing a partner's nutrition training manual and providing technical feedback, then join a call with a Ministry of Health to advise on their seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign's nutrition component. In the afternoon, you might analyze data on malnutrition rates in malaria patients and draft a brief for donors on the impact of integrated interventions.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Path Is Looking For
- A candidate with an advanced degree (MPH, MSc, PhD) in nutrition, public health, or a related field, and at least 5 years of experience in nutrition programming in malaria-endemic settings.
- Deep technical expertise in maternal and child nutrition, including knowledge of current global guidelines (e.g., WHO recommendations on micronutrient supplementation, breastfeeding, and complementary feeding).
- Proven ability to work with diverse stakeholders, such as ministries of health, NGOs, and donors, and to translate technical concepts into actionable program guidance.
- Strong analytical and writing skills, with experience developing technical reports, training materials, and program strategies.
📝 Tips for Applying to Path
Tailor your resume to highlight explicit experience integrating nutrition into infectious disease programs (e.g., malaria, HIV, TB) rather than just standalone nutrition work.
In your cover letter, mention specific malaria-endemic countries where you have worked and describe how you navigated challenges like food insecurity or seasonal malaria.
Familiarize yourself with PATH's REACH Malaria program by reading their recent publications or case studies on their website, and reference them in your application.
Quantify your impact: e.g., 'Improved nutrition screening coverage from 30% to 80% in three districts' or 'Reduced stunting by X% in a malaria-endemic region.'
Emphasize your ability to work remotely and across time zones, as this role is remote and likely involves coordinating with teams in Africa and Asia.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for the intersection of nutrition and malaria control, and how this dual focus can break the cycle of disease and malnutrition.', 'Specific examples of designing or implementing nutrition interventions in malaria-endemic settings, highlighting results and lessons learned.', 'Your experience in partnership building and stakeholder engagement, particularly with government health systems in low-resource countries.', "Your familiarity with PATH's mission and the REACH Malaria program, and how your skills align with their strategic goals."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review PATH's REACH Malaria page, including their approach, current projects, and any recent news or publications.
- → Read about the WHO's Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030 and the linkages between malaria and nutrition.
- → Explore PATH's other nutrition-related initiatives, such as the Nutrition and Food Safety program, to understand the broader organizational context.
- → Look up the specific countries where REACH Malaria operates (e.g., Mozambique, Ghana, etc.) and understand their nutrition and malaria burden.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic application that focuses only on nutrition without mentioning malaria or infectious disease integration.
- Avoid overpromising or exaggerating your experience; be honest about your level of expertise in malaria-specific contexts.
- Don't neglect to address the remote work aspect—failing to mention how you stay productive and communicate effectively in a remote team can be a red flag.
📅 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!