Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Associate, Syphilis Free Start

at Evidence Action

🏢 About Evidence Action

Evidence Action is a global nonprofit that scales evidence-based programs to reduce poverty, with a focus on cost-effective interventions in Africa and Asia. What sets them apart is their commitment to rigorous evaluation and data-driven decision-making, ensuring that every dollar donated goes further. Working here means joining a team that directly tackles major global health challenges, like maternal syphilis, with proven solutions.

About This Role

As a Senior Associate for the Syphilis Free Start (SFS) program, you will be at the heart of expanding a high-impact maternal health initiative across multiple African countries. You'll coordinate planning, monitoring, and reporting for existing programs in Liberia, Zambia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon, while also scoping new geographies for expansion. This role is a unique blend of technical support, stakeholder engagement, and strategic growth, directly contributing to preventing congenital syphilis and saving lives.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve a morning call with the Zambia country team to troubleshoot screening uptake issues, followed by reviewing monitoring data from Côte d'Ivoire and drafting a report for a donor. In the afternoon, you might conduct a scoping interview with a potential partner in a new country or develop training materials for a upcoming workshop. You'll balance technical support, coordination, and strategic thinking to keep the SFS program running smoothly and expanding effectively.

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🎯 Who Evidence Action Is Looking For

  • 3–5 years of public health or international development experience with a Bachelor's, or 1–3 years with a Master's, ideally focused on maternal, newborn, or child health in low-resource settings.
  • Demonstrated experience working with government partners and health ministries in African countries, including providing technical assistance and troubleshooting implementation challenges.
  • Strong project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple country programs, develop training materials, and ensure timely monitoring and reporting.
  • French proficiency is highly desired, given the program's presence in Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon; experience in Francophone Africa is a plus.

📝 Tips for Applying to Evidence Action

1

Highlight specific experience with maternal syphilis or STI prevention programs, including any work on congenital syphilis elimination, as this is the core focus of SFS.

2

Quantify your impact in previous roles: e.g., 'supported X health facilities in Y country, leading to Z% increase in syphilis screening.'

3

Emphasize French language skills if applicable, and mention any experience working in Francophone African countries, as this directly aligns with the program's needs.

4

Demonstrate familiarity with Evidence Action's approach by referencing their evidence-based methodology and cost-effectiveness in your application materials.

5

Show your ability to work remotely and across time zones, as the role is US-based but collaborates with teams in Africa; mention any prior remote coordination experience.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

In your cover letter, focus on: 1) Your direct experience with maternal syphilis prevention or similar public health programs in low-resource settings, including any work with government partners. 2) Your ability to coordinate multi-country programs, including monitoring, reporting, and technical support. 3) Your French proficiency and experience in Francophone Africa (if applicable). 4) Your motivation to work at Evidence Action specifically, highlighting their evidence-based, cost-effective approach and the impact of the SFS program.

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Evidence Action's website, focusing on their Syphilis Free Start program, including any published reports, impact evaluations, or blog posts about the program's results.
  • → Research the burden of maternal syphilis in the countries mentioned (Liberia, Zambia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon) and understand the current prevention landscape, including WHO's elimination goals.
  • → Learn about Evidence Action's other programs (e.g., Deworm the World, Dispensers for Safe Water) to understand their evidence-based approach and how SFS fits into their portfolio.
  • → Investigate recent news or publications about congenital syphilis prevention in Africa to stay current on challenges and innovations.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach providing technical support to country teams facing implementation challenges, such as stockouts of syphilis tests or low uptake of screening?
2 Describe your experience working with government health ministries in Africa. How did you navigate bureaucratic processes to achieve program goals?
3 What strategies would you use to scope and assess new countries for program expansion, considering factors like disease burden, political will, and health system capacity?
4 How do you ensure effective monitoring and reporting across multiple countries with varying data quality and timelines?
5 Give an example of a time you developed training materials for health workers. How did you ensure they were culturally appropriate and effective?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic applications that don't mention maternal syphilis or SFS specifically; tailor your materials to show you understand the program's focus.
  • Don't overlook the French language requirement if you have it; failing to highlight it could make you less competitive for roles involving Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon.
  • Avoid focusing only on global health broadly without demonstrating experience in low-resource settings and government partnership, which are critical for this role.

📅 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 Evidence Action!

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