Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Program Manager/Program Manager - Programs in Latin American Countries

at Lead Exposure Elimination Project

🏢 About Lead Exposure Elimination Project

The Lead Exposure Elimination Project (LEEP) is a highly effective, lean nonprofit that focuses on eliminating lead poisoning by advocating for lead paint regulation. It stands out for its data-driven, results-oriented approach and its commitment to solving a neglected global health crisis with scalable policy changes.

About This Role

This role is central to LEEP's mission in Latin America, involving direct management of country-level Program Managers and strategic oversight of advocacy campaigns targeting government and industry stakeholders. Your work will directly contribute to reducing lead exposure for millions of children across the region.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day reviewing progress reports from Program Managers in Mexico and Colombia, then coach a manager on stakeholder mapping. Afternoon could involve a strategic planning session with the global team to align on advocacy targets, followed by a call with a government official in Peru to discuss draft regulations. Evenings may include catching up on emails in Spanish and preparing for upcoming travel.

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🎯 Who Lead Exposure Elimination Project Is Looking For

  • A seasoned program manager with at least 5 years of experience, including proven line management and coaching skills.
  • Strategic thinker with experience navigating complex multi-stakeholder environments, ideally including government engagement.
  • Fully bilingual in English and Spanish (professional fluency), with Portuguese fluency as a strong plus.
  • Comfortable with high agency, risk, and ambiguity, and willing to travel 8-12 weeks per year across Latin America.

📝 Tips for Applying to Lead Exposure Elimination Project

1

Highlight specific examples of managing and coaching direct reports, including how you improved their performance.

2

Demonstrate your experience with government stakeholders: describe a policy advocacy or regulatory change you influenced.

3

Show your strategic planning skills: outline a complex program you led, including how you managed risks and adapted to ambiguity.

4

Emphasize your language proficiency: provide examples of working in Spanish and English, and mention any Portuguese experience.

5

Tailor your resume to focus on impact metrics (e.g., number of people reached, policy changes achieved) rather than just responsibilities.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for public health and eliminating lead poisoning, linking it to your own motivation.', 'Concrete examples of line management and coaching that led to team growth or program success.', 'Your experience working with governments or in multi-stakeholder environments, especially in Latin America.', 'Your comfort with risk and ambiguity, with an example of navigating uncertainty in a previous role.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read LEEP's website thoroughly, especially their country program pages and impact metrics.
  • → Review their blog or publications on lead paint regulation to understand their advocacy approach.
  • → Look into the current status of lead paint regulation in key Latin American countries (e.g., Brazil, Mexico, Colombia).
  • → Familiarize yourself with the World Health Organization's lead poisoning data and LEEP's role in the global context.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How have you coached a struggling team member to improve their performance?
2 Describe a time you influenced a government policy or regulation. What was your approach?
3 How do you prioritize competing demands across multiple country programs?
4 Tell us about a time you had to adapt a program strategy due to unexpected challenges.
5 How would you build relationships with industry stakeholders who may resist regulation?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning LEEP or lead poisoning specifically.
  • Overemphasizing process management without showing strategic thinking or impact orientation.
  • Failing to demonstrate language proficiency – ensure your CV and cover letter use Spanish examples if applicable.

📅 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 Lead Exposure Elimination Project!

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