Application Guide

How to Apply for Technical Advisor II

at Population Services International

🏢 About Population Services International

Population Services International (PSI) is a global nonprofit dedicated to improving health outcomes in low-resource settings by leveraging market-based approaches. As a leader in social marketing, PSI works with local partners to make essential health products and services accessible to the most vulnerable populations, offering employees a chance to drive measurable impact in global health.

About This Role

As a Technical Advisor II, you will provide expert guidance on health programs, likely focusing on technical areas like reproductive health, malaria, or HIV. This role involves supporting country teams with strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure programs are evidence-based and effective, directly contributing to PSI's mission of saving lives.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing program data from country teams, providing technical feedback on a quarterly report, and joining a virtual meeting with partners to discuss supply chain challenges. You might also draft a technical brief on best practices for integrating gender into health programs, followed by a one-on-one coaching session with a country advisor.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Population Services International Is Looking For

  • Holds a master's degree in public health, international development, or a related field with at least 5 years of experience in global health programming.
  • Demonstrates expertise in one or more technical areas (e.g., family planning, malaria, WASH) with proven ability to translate evidence into actionable guidance.
  • Possesses strong cross-cultural communication skills and experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies and NGOs.
  • Is adept at data analysis and using results to improve program design, with familiarity in monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

📝 Tips for Applying to Population Services International

1

Customize your resume to highlight technical expertise in PSI's core health areas (e.g., reproductive health, malaria) and quantify impact (e.g., % improvement in health outcomes).

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to PSI's market-based approach and mention any familiarity with social marketing or behavior change communication.

3

Research PSI's current projects and mention a specific initiative (e.g., the Healthy Markets project) that aligns with your skills in your application.

4

Use the application portal's additional documents section to include a writing sample (e.g., a technical brief or evaluation report) that showcases your analytical skills.

5

Network with current or former PSI employees on LinkedIn to gain insights into the role and mention your conversation in your cover letter if relevant.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your passion for global health and alignment with PSI's mission of market-based solutions for health equity.", "Highlight specific technical expertise and how it can address PSI's programmatic needs, such as improving supply chains or scaling interventions.", 'Demonstrate experience in cross-cultural collaboration and adaptability, especially in low-resource settings.', 'Mention your ability to use data for decision-making and provide an example of how your analysis led to program improvements.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review PSI's latest annual report and strategic plan to understand current priorities and impact metrics.
  • → Explore PSI's blog and publications on their website to see recent technical discussions and thought leadership.
  • → Look into PSI's major donors (e.g., USAID, DFID) and how funding shapes programmatic focus.
  • → Check PSI's LinkedIn page for employee posts about their work to get a sense of organizational culture.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach designing a behavior change communication campaign for a specific health issue in a low-resource setting?
2 Describe a time you used monitoring data to adjust a program strategy. What was the outcome?
3 How do you ensure technical recommendations are culturally appropriate and feasible given local constraints?
4 What is your experience with social marketing or private sector engagement in public health?
5 How would you build capacity among country team staff to strengthen their technical skills?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic statements about 'saving the world' without connecting to PSI's specific market-based approach.
  • Do not overlook the remote work aspect; ensure you demonstrate self-discipline and experience working independently across time zones.
  • Refrain from applying without tailoring your resume; a generic application suggests lack of genuine interest in PSI.

📅 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 Population Services International!

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