How to apply for Senior Technical Advisor, Tobacco Control, Eastern and Central Africa

About Vital Strategies

Vital Strategies is a global public health organization that partners directly with governments to design and implement evidence-based policies that reduce disease and premature death. Unlike many NGOs, it focuses on high-impact, scalable solutions like tobacco control, and its work in Eastern and Central Africa is at the forefront of policy change. Working here means shaping real-world health policy alongside ministries and civil society, with a strong emphasis on measurable outcomes.

About the role

This Senior Technical Advisor role is the regional focal point for tobacco control in Mozambique, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau, combining high-level government engagement with hands-on grant management. You will provide technical assistance to governments and NGOs, conduct political and policy analyses, and represent Vital Strategies at key meetings. The impact is direct: you help secure political support and implement policies that save lives across Eastern and Central Africa.

A typical day

A typical day might involve a morning call with a ministry of health official in Mozambique to discuss policy implementation, followed by reviewing grant reports from a local NGO partner. In the afternoon, you might prepare a political analysis brief for internal strategy discussions and then represent Vital Strategies at a regional stakeholder meeting. Travel to target countries for site visits and high-level meetings is also a regular part of the role.

Who Vital Strategies is looking for

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in the health sector, with a strong focus on tobacco control or non-communicable disease policy, ideally in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Fluency in both English and Portuguese is mandatory, with the ability to conduct high-level meetings and draft technical documents in both languages.
• Proven track record in grant development, implementation, and monitoring, including working with government and civil society partners.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex political environments, build coalitions, and provide technical assistance to ministries of health and other stakeholders.

Tips for this application

• Highlight your Portuguese fluency prominently—this is a hard requirement and often a differentiator. Include specific examples of work conducted in Portuguese.
• Tailor your CV and cover letter to show direct experience in tobacco control policy, not just general public health. Mention key frameworks like the WHO FCTC and MPOWER.
• Emphasize your grant management skills, including any experience with donor reporting, site monitoring visits, and working with local NGOs.
• Demonstrate your understanding of the political and policy landscape in at least one of the four target countries (Mozambique, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau).
• Use your cover letter to explain why you want to work specifically at Vital Strategies, referencing their government-partnership model and their tobacco control portfolio.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your bilingual proficiency and experience working in Portuguese-speaking African countries; (2) concrete examples of successful tobacco control policy advocacy or implementation you led; (3) your ability to manage grants and provide technical assistance to governments and NGOs; and (4) your motivation to join Vital Strategies and contribute to their mission in Eastern and Central Africa.

Research before applying

• Study Vital Strategies' tobacco control programs globally, especially their work in Africa, to understand their approach and key partners.
• Research the tobacco control landscape in Mozambique, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Guinea-Bissau—including current policies, key players, and challenges.
• Learn about the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the MPOWER measures, as these are likely central to the role.
• Explore recent news or reports on tobacco industry interference in the region to be prepared for discussions on political barriers.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach engaging a ministry of health in one of the target countries to advance a tobacco control policy?
• Describe your experience managing grants with government partners, including challenges and how you overcame them.
• What is your understanding of the political economy of tobacco control in Eastern and Central Africa, and how would you navigate opposition?
• Give an example of a time you provided technical assistance to a government or NGO and the outcome was successful.
• How do you prioritize and manage multiple countries and stakeholders while ensuring progress on grant deliverables?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without demonstrating Portuguese fluency—this is a hard requirement and non-negotiable.
• Focusing only on general public health experience without linking it specifically to tobacco control policy and grant management.
• Neglecting to show familiarity with the target countries or the political sensitivities around tobacco control in the region.