How to apply for Principal Manager, New Program Development

About Evidence Action

Evidence Action is a unique organization that bridges the gap between rigorous evidence and scalable impact, focusing on cost-effective, data-driven programs to reduce poverty across Africa and Asia. Working here means being part of a results-oriented team that values scientific rigor and operational excellence, with a mission to improve millions of lives.

About the role

As Principal Manager of New Program Development, you'll lead the critical early-stage pipeline, taking promising health interventions from concept to scalable programs. This role is impactful because you'll make strategic go/no-go decisions based on evidence and cost-effectiveness, shaping the future portfolio of Evidence Action's interventions and ensuring resources are allocated to the most effective solutions.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing evidence on a candidate intervention, meeting with research partners to discuss study designs, and analyzing cost-effectiveness models. You'll also spend time in the field occasionally, overseeing formative research or pilots, and preparing investment cases for internal and external stakeholders.

Who Evidence Action is looking for

• You have 5+ years in global health program development, evidence evaluation, or a related analytical role, with a proven track record of leading projects from research to implementation.
• You're deeply skilled in assessing evidence—understanding effect sizes, external validity, and gaps—and can model cost-effectiveness under uncertainty, using tools like Excel, R, or Python.
• You have hands-on experience designing and executing field research, including formative research and pilots, and can adapt plans based on real-world conditions.
• You're an excellent communicator and relationship builder, able to independently lead conversations with researchers, governments, donors, and implementers, and synthesize complex information for diverse stakeholders.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume to highlight specific examples of managing a portfolio of early-stage programs, including how you made go/no-go decisions and the impact of those decisions.
• In your cover letter, quantify your experience with cost-effectiveness modeling or evidence assessment, mentioning specific tools or methodologies you've used.
• Research Evidence Action's current programs (e.g., Deworm the World, Safe Water) and mention how your skills could contribute to their new program pipeline.
• If you have field experience in low-resource settings, emphasize that—it's crucial for this role's field activities.
• Be prepared to discuss a case study of a health intervention you evaluated or developed, focusing on your decision-making process and evidence standards.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Demonstrate your ability to rigorously evaluate evidence and make tough decisions under uncertainty, with concrete examples.', 'Highlight your experience in designing and running field pilots or formative research, showing you can handle the practical side of program development.', "Show your passion for Evidence Action's mission and your understanding of their evidence-based, cost-effectiveness-driven approach.", 'Mention your experience building investment cases and engaging with partners like governments or donors, as this role requires independent leadership in those conversations.']

Research before applying

• Familiarize yourself with Evidence Action's 'stage-gate' process and their approach to scaling programs—look for blog posts or annual reports.
• Review several of their current programs (e.g., Deworm the World, Safe Water, No Lean Season) to understand their evidence standards and cost-effectiveness benchmarks.
• Look into recent publications or partnerships from Evidence Action to see their latest focus areas in global health (e.g., child health, nutrition).
• Understand their organizational structure and where this role sits in the New Program Development team, possibly by reading team bios on their website.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach evaluating a new health intervention with mixed evidence? Walk us through your process.
• Describe a time you had to decide whether to advance, reshape, or exit a program. What factors did you consider?
• How do you model cost-effectiveness under uncertainty? Provide an example of a model you've built.
• Tell us about a field pilot you designed. What were the challenges, and how did you adapt?
• How would you build an investment case for a new program to present to a government or donor?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Don't send a generic cover letter—make sure to reference specific Evidence Action programs or values.
• Avoid overemphasizing academic research if you lack field implementation experience; this role needs hands-on program development.
• Don't neglect the cost-effectiveness modeling aspect—be ready to discuss your quantitative skills and show examples of your work.