Role Description
CHAI is seeking a highly motivated Associate to support the design, execution, and scale-up of interventions to reduce lead exposure. The Associate will conduct analytical workstreams, contribute to project execution, support country-level implementation, and engage government and external partners to advance national and global goals. This role requires strong analytical, project management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills.
This position is ideal for an emerging professional who thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments; is committed to solving complex public health and environmental challenges; and can translate evidence into clear, actionable recommendations for governments and external partners. Prior experience in lead exposure or environmental health is welcome but not required; we are seeking strong generalists who are excited to make an impact on this major global health issue.
The position would ideally be based in a CHAI program country, pending leadership approval, within 7 hours of US Eastern Time. We anticipate the role will require up to 20% travel.
This role can also be offered at a Senior Associate level, commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.
Responsibilities
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Support the design, planning, and execution of analytical and operational workstreams for multi-country or country-specific projects to reduce lead exposure, including:
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Accelerating access to blood lead level diagnostics, including the next generation of point-of-care tools
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Increasing access to portable environmental testing equipment to generate country-level data on sources of lead exposure
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Supporting nationally driven coordination mechanisms and national strategic plans for lead mitigation
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Conduct complex quantitative and qualitative analyses, such as market assessments, regulatory landscape mapping, burden estimation, cost-effectiveness modelling, or surveillance data interpretation.
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Translate analytical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for governments, donors, and CHAI leadership.
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Contribute analytical inputs on lead exposure, environmental health surveillance, regulatory approaches, and product testing, supporting government counterparts in interpreting data and developing practical recommendations.
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Build and manage productive relationships with country teams, academic partners, private-sector actors, multilateral organizations, and civil society.
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Support country teams working closely with governments in developing or strengthening:
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National action plans to reduce childhood lead exposure
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Regulatory or enforcement frameworks
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Surveillance systems and data management approaches
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Support CHAI’s engagement in key meetings of technical working groups, partner meetings, and donor discussions.
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Monitor execution against project budgets, donor commitments, and donor reporting requirements.
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Support the development of proposals, concept notes, budgets, and strategic plans to expand the lead exposure portfolio.
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Contribute to the development of global public goods, toolkits, and best practices for lead mitigation.
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Stay up to date with emerging evidence, policy innovations, and global strategies on lead poisoning prevention, bringing new ideas to refine CHAI’s approach.
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Collaborate with other CHAI teams (e.g., Child Health, Diagnostics, Women’s and Newborn Health, Global Markets) to integrate lead exposure reduction into broader public health initiatives.
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in public policy, economics, business, public health, environmental health, environmental science, or related field.
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At least 4 years of relevant experience in fast-paced, results-oriented environments (e.g., consulting, finance, pharma).
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Strong project management skills; demonstrated ability to conduct analytical workstreams, synthesize findings, and generate practical recommendations for decision makers.
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Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with government and external partners.
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Strong analytical (qualitative and quantitative) and communication (written and verbal) skills, including preparing polished presentations and reports for senior stakeholders.
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High proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
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Humility, curiosity, resourcefulness, tenacity, and commitment to CHAI’s values.
Advantages
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Master’s in Public Policy, Business, Public Health, Environmental Health, or related field.
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Experience in lead exposure, environmental health, or child health.
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Experience in market shaping, supply chain assessment, or economic analysis.
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Experience working with governments in LMICs and/or experience with laboratory systems, surveillance systems, or regulatory work in LMICs.
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Experience fundraising for social impact programs and/or private sector business development (e.g., management consulting, startups).
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Fluency in additional languages relevant to CHAI program countries (e.g., Hindi, French, Swahili, Amharic, Yoruba).