Associate Director, Health Financing

The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) supports civil society organizations and advocacy movements around the world to pass lifesaving policies on a range of critical issues to save lives, reduce death and disease, increase investments in public health and create healthier, more equitable futures for all. GHAI is an initiative of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. For more information, visit www.advocacyincubator.org.

Through competitive grantmaking, GHAI provides funding to CSOs in low- and middle-income countries and offers tailored technical assistance to advance evidence-based advocacy. GHAI partners closely with governments, civil society, and multilateral institutions—including Gavi, Resolve to Save Lives, and Bloomberg Philanthropies—to support local campaigns that strengthen domestic resource mobilization and public health financing.

This is a full-time position with an expected duration of one year. Continued employment beyond this period is not guaranteed and will be based on organizational needs and available funding.

Position Overview

The Associate Director, Health Financing, is a new leadership role within GHAI’s Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) program. This position will provide technical and strategic support to initiatives aimed at increasing domestic investments in public health, with a focus on non-communicable diseases, immunization, epidemic preparedness, civil registration, and primary health care in low- and middle-income countries.

The Associate Director will bring deep expertise in health economics, budget advocacy, and multilateral financing. They will have direct experience supporting both governments and civil society in developing and implementing advocacy strategies for public financing reforms. A strong understanding of fiscal policy, health taxes, subsidies, and other financing mechanisms is essential.

This position will lead the expansion of GHAI’s Budget Advocacy Accelerator, a flagship initiative designed to strengthen civil society capacity for budget advocacy in Africa and Asia. The year-long program combines virtual and in-person learning with technical support and a hands-on capstone project, aimed at fostering leadership and advancing advocacy for domestic health budgets.

The Associate Director will also provide technical assistance across the HSS portfolio, supporting in-country and regional advocacy teams with economic analysis, strategy development, policy training, and campaign execution. This role requires a self-starter with strong project and team management skills, an aptitude for translating complex technical concepts into actionable advocacy, and a commitment to capacity-building in diverse, cross-cultural environments.

What You'll Accomplish:

Leadership of Budget Advocacy Accelerator

• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Budget Advocacy Accelerator, in collaboration with a Regional Advisor and HQ-based Senior Program Associate.

• Oversee all stages of the CSO RFP, application, and selection process.

• Guide curriculum development and delivery of online and in-person trainings.

• Provide ongoing technical assistance and strategic guidance to Accelerator participants, including support for capstone projects.

• Track participant progress, monitor implementation of activities, and manage evaluation processes to assess learning and skill development.

• Develop monthly updates and comprehensive midterm and annual reports for funders.

Strategic Support to Budget and Fiscal Advocacy Campaigns

• Provide technical and strategic support to GHAI’s global and in-country partners to advance budget and tax advocacy and fiscal reform, including:
• Political landscape analysis and stakeholder mapping.
• Identification of allies, champions, and opposition.
• Policymaker education and engagement.
• Coalition-building and public mobilization.
• Media advocacy and narrative development.
• Implementation of core advocacy strategies to drive policy change.
• Provide targeted technical assistance throughout the budget cycle.
• Support the identification and onboarding of local CSO partners and provide continuous capacity-building and guidance.
• Monitor campaign execution and outcomes; report to relevant stakeholders.

Coordination and Supervision

• Collaborate closely with the VP, HSS and other GHAI teams, partners, consultants, and funders to ensure alignment and execution of shared goals.

• Coordinate and supervise work of consultants, including the Regional Advisor; ensure timely processing of contracts and payments.

• Represent GHAI at global forums, conferences, and donor meetings.

• Develop and manage work plans, internal communications, and partner coordination efforts.

• Supervise in-country and regional advocacy staff and foster cross-team collaboration.

Skills You'll Bring to the Role:

• 5-7 years of experience in economic research and its application to policy advocacy, particularly in LMICs.

• Bachelor’s degree in health economics, Public Health, Public Policy, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred

• Strong background in budget advocacy and health financing; familiarity with tax structures and public finance mechanisms in LMICs.

• Demonstrated ability to translate technical content into advocacy materials for non-technical audiences, including policymakers, media, and the public.

• Direct experience working on in-country advocacy campaigns and supporting civil society engagement in policy processes.

• Familiarity with econometric and other research methods; experience interpreting and applying findings in practical advocacy contexts.

• Proven ability to manage complex projects and coordinate across multiple stakeholders and cultural contexts.

• Understanding of global health policy environments and multilateral/bilateral donor institutions.

• Experience supervising remote and cross-cultural teams.

• Collaborative and consultative working style; comfortable navigating a large and dynamic international NGO.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional languages are a plus.

• Willingness to travel internationally up to 20%.

Why Join The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids?

• A comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plan for employees and dependents.
• Paid parental leave benefits in addition to the federal and local leave provisions.
• 403b plan participation (with 9% company contribution)
• 10 paid company holidays, 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, 5 personal days (on an accrual basis each calendar year); and an anniversary day to celebrate annual milestones
• A hybrid work schedule (3 days in office; 2 days remote)