Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Manager, Program Finance
at Evidence Action
🏢 About Evidence Action
Evidence Action is a global nonprofit that scales cost-effective, evidence-based programs to reduce poverty, with a focus on measurable impact in Africa and Asia. Unlike many organizations, it rigorously tests and scales only interventions proven to work, such as deworming and syphilis prevention. Working here means directly contributing to programs that improve millions of lives, with a culture rooted in data and results.
About This Role
As Senior Manager, Program Finance, you will lead financial planning and analysis for a global syphilis prevention program expanding across multiple countries. You'll build multi-year financial models, develop proposal budgets, design financial arrangements with partners, and serve as a key finance partner to program leadership. This role is critical to ensuring the program's financial sustainability and scalability, directly impacting its ability to reach more people.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve updating multi-year financial models for the syphilis program, meeting with program leadership to review budget vs. actuals, and drafting a proposal budget for a new country entry. You might also conduct a due diligence call with a potential partner, prepare a financial report for a donor, and collaborate with the grants team to ensure compliance. The role is dynamic, balancing analytical work with strategic discussions and cross-cultural collaboration.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Evidence Action Is Looking For
- 6+ years of experience managing complex program finances, including multi-year forecasting, restricted grants, and partner financial assessments, preferably in global health or international development.
- Proven ability to build sophisticated financial models that compare delivery models, costs, and funding scenarios across multiple countries.
- Experience developing proposal budgets and funding strategies that align with donor requirements and cost recovery principles, with a track record of successful grant reporting.
- Strong interpersonal skills to serve as a day-to-day finance partner to program leadership and to design due diligence processes for country entry and fiscal agents.
📝 Tips for Applying to Evidence Action
Highlight specific examples of multi-year financial models you've built for global programs, especially those involving country comparisons and scenario planning.
Quantify your experience with restricted grants and donor reporting—mention specific donors (e.g., USAID, Gates Foundation) and the size of budgets you've managed.
Demonstrate familiarity with cost recovery principles and how you've applied them in proposal budgets; use terms like 'full cost recovery' and 'indirect cost rates'.
Show your ability to work remotely and across time zones; Evidence Action is a remote-first organization, so emphasize your self-management and communication skills.
Connect your motivation to Evidence Action's mission—explain why evidence-based scaling and poverty reduction resonate with you, and how your finance skills can support that.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
In your cover letter, emphasize: (1) your experience building multi-year financial models for global health programs, particularly in multiple countries; (2) your success in developing proposal budgets and securing funding from major donors; (3) your ability to design financial arrangements and due diligence processes for partners and fiscal agents; and (4) your passion for Evidence Action's evidence-based approach and how you can contribute to scaling the syphilis prevention program.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Evidence Action's website, especially their syphilis prevention program, to understand its scale, impact, and expansion plans.
- → Read their annual reports and financial statements to understand their funding sources, cost structure, and how they measure success.
- → Research the donors and partners they work with (e.g., USAID, Gates Foundation, GiveWell) to understand donor requirements and reporting expectations.
- → Look into their blog and press releases for recent updates on the syphilis program and any new country entries.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic cover letters that don't mention Evidence Action's mission or the specific syphilis prevention program—show you've done your homework.
- Don't focus only on technical finance skills without demonstrating how you've partnered with program teams and supported decision-making.
- Avoid downplaying remote work experience; if you haven't worked remotely, explain how you manage communication and collaboration across distances.
📅 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!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Evidence Action!