Application Guide

How to Apply for Program Officer, Governance, Strategies – Malaria Control and Elimination Partnership in Africa (MACEPA)

at Path

🏢 About Path

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to health equity, with a strong focus on malaria elimination through innovative partnerships. Working at PATH means joining a team that leverages decades of experience to drive measurable impact in some of the world's most challenging health environments, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

About This Role

As Program Officer for Governance Strategies at MACEPA, you will lead the development and implementation of governance frameworks that strengthen national malaria control programs. This role is critical in ensuring that policies, strategies, and partnerships are aligned to accelerate progress toward malaria elimination, directly contributing to saving lives across Africa.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the MACEPA team in Seattle and country offices, followed by reviewing a draft policy brief for a ministry of health. Afternoon could involve a stakeholder meeting with partners to align on a new governance framework, then analyzing data to prepare a presentation for a donor call.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Path

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Path Is Looking For

  • A seasoned public health professional with an advanced degree (MPH, PhD, or MD) and at least 5 years of hands-on experience in malaria control or elimination programs.
  • Deeply familiar with the political, social, and health systems landscape in African countries, with proven ability to work effectively with government ministries and local partners.
  • A strategic thinker and project manager who can coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives, from policy advocacy to operational planning, and who thrives in a remote, cross-cultural team.
  • Excellent communicator with strong analytical skills, able to translate complex data into actionable governance recommendations and present them to high-level stakeholders.

📝 Tips for Applying to Path

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific malaria governance or policy work, such as leading a national malaria strategic plan or advising a ministry of health.

2

In your cover letter, mention your experience working with African governments and any results you achieved in strengthening health systems or malaria programs.

3

Demonstrate your project management skills by describing a complex, multi-partner initiative you led, including how you managed timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.

4

Research PATH's MACEPA program thoroughly and reference specific projects or publications (e.g., the Lancet report on malaria elimination) to show genuine interest.

5

Since the role is remote, emphasize your self-discipline and experience with virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Teams, Zoom, Slack) and asynchronous communication.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your technical expertise in malaria control and governance, with concrete examples of policy or strategic planning successes.', 'Your experience working in African countries and building trusted relationships with government partners, including any diplomatic or cross-cultural skills.', "Your passion for health equity and alignment with PATH's mission, especially how this role fits into broader malaria elimination goals.", 'Your ability to manage complex projects remotely, including coordination across time zones and with diverse stakeholders.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review PATH's MACEPA webpage and recent publications, especially their work on malaria elimination in Zambia and DRC.
  • → Read the WHO Global Malaria Programme's latest guidelines and the African Union's Malaria Elimination agenda to understand the policy landscape.
  • → Look into PATH's organizational structure and values, particularly their commitment to equity and partnership-driven approaches.
  • → Follow PATH's social media channels and recent news to see current initiatives and leadership statements.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you advised a government on malaria policy. What was the outcome and how did you navigate political challenges?
2 How do you approach stakeholder engagement with ministries of health, donors, and implementing partners to ensure alignment?
3 What do you see as the biggest governance challenges for malaria elimination in Africa today, and how would you address them?
4 Tell us about a project you managed with multiple partners. How did you ensure accountability and keep everyone on track?
5 How do you stay updated on emerging evidence and best practices in malaria control, and how do you incorporate them into program strategies?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention malaria, governance, or Africa-specific experience—this role is highly specialized.
  • Overlooking the remote work aspect; failing to demonstrate your ability to work independently and communicate effectively across time zones.
  • Focusing only on technical skills without showing an understanding of the political and social dynamics of malaria programs in African countries.

📅 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!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →