Breaking into Global Public Health: Key Takeaways from Careers at WHO & Gates Foundation

Global health careers are evolving in response to political shifts, funding constraints, and increasing efforts to decentralize decision-making. The panel discussion with experts from WHO and the Gates Foundation explored the realities of breaking into the field, the skills that matter, and how to build a sustainable career in international public health.

Transitioning into Global Health: A Reality Check

Dr. Laura Norris, a Senior Program Officer at the Gates Foundation, described her career shift from mosquito genomics research to international health policy. Her motivation was not a grand vision, but a growing frustration with the disconnect between her research and real-world impact. She entered the field through the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship at USAID, a program that places PhDs in government agencies to work on science policy.

Looking back, she recognizes the value of basic research, but at the time, she felt trapped in an academic cycle that did not align with her broader ambitions. She encourages PhDs seeking to pivot into public health to explore policy fellowships, NGO collaborations, or grant-writing experiences as potential entry points.

The Experience Paradox: How to Get Hired Without Field Experience

One of the biggest challenges for early-career professionals is the requirement for prior field experience. Dr. Asante Kamuyango, a Technical Officer at WHO, addressed this directly. Her own career path began in Malawi, where she studied nursing and midwifery before moving into nonprofit work. She volunteered on medical outreach programs, interned with a faith-based organization, and took on roles with NGOs like Save the Children and JHPIEGO before transitioning to WHO through the Young Professionals Program.

Her advice to those trying to break into the field:

• Volunteer with nonprofit organizations to demonstrate commitment and build experience.
• Apply for structured early-career programs like WHO’s Young Professionals Program or UN Junior Professional Officer roles.
• Gain experience in project-based work, even if it is unpaid or temporary, to establish credibility.

Beyond Technical Expertise: The Skills That Matter

Both panelists emphasized that success in global health is not solely about technical expertise. Several transferable skills were identified as crucial:

• Adaptability and Open-Mindedness: Professionals in global health work across cultures, policies, and funding structures. Those who succeed are able to navigate different perspectives and political realities.
• Project Management and Organization: Many international roles involve coordinating multiple stakeholders, funding partners, and regulatory bodies. Managing complexity is essential.
• Negotiation and Communication: Dr. Norris highlighted the importance of negotiation, not in the corporate sense, but in aligning priorities among different partners. She described a negotiation training led by an expert involved in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which reshaped her understanding of collaboration.
• Multilingualism and Regional Expertise: Fluency in French is a major advantage in malaria-related public health roles, as a large portion of the affected regions are Francophone.

Hiring managers in global health organizations look for professionals who can work effectively across disciplines and geographies. Technical knowledge is valuable, but the ability to navigate teams, funding, and shifting priorities is often the deciding factor in hiring decisions.

Navigating the Instability of Global Health Careers

Many global health jobs are tied to short-term funding cycles. Dr. Norris acknowledged that her position at the Gates Foundation began as a one-year contract, which was extended for several years before she secured a full-time role. This is a common pattern in international organizations.

To navigate this uncertainty, panelists recommended:

• Being open to short-term contracts and consultancies as an entry point.
• Applying for roster-based hiring systems, such as WHO’s consultant rosters, where candidates are pre-approved for future opportunities.
• Positioning oneself in a hub city for global health, such as Washington, D.C., Geneva, or Nairobi, where proximity to organizations can facilitate networking and job transitions.

Decolonizing Global Health: A Shift in Power

Dr. Kamuyango spoke about the growing push to shift decision-making power from Western-led organizations to regional leaders in low- and middle-income countries. She noted that while there is increasing emphasis on funding locally-led research and implementation, there remains a tension between rhetoric and reality.

She argued that the real test of decolonization is not just increased funding for LMIC-based institutions, but whether those institutions are being empowered to set their own research agendas and policy priorities. She urged professionals in global health to respect local expertise, engage with regional institutions, and recognize that sustainable solutions come from within communities, not from external directives.

Strategic Approaches to Job Applications and Interviews

When asked how candidates can stand out in applications, both panelists stressed the importance of tailoring CVs and applications to the specific job description. At WHO, for example, applications go through an automated screening process before reaching human reviewers.

Key strategies for applicants include:

• Ensuring that CVs highlight measurable achievements, not just job responsibilities.
• Aligning application language with the job posting to ensure that the automated systems recognize relevant experience.
• Demonstrating how prior work experience supports the mission and priorities of the hiring organization.
• Preparing for interviews by articulating not only technical expertise but also adaptability, teamwork, and leadership potential.

Dr. Kamuyango also emphasized the importance of publishing research in relevant fields. While not every global health job requires publications, having authored peer-reviewed work—especially as a first author—signals credibility in the field.

Final Reflections: Advice for Building a Long-Term Career in Global Health

As the discussion concluded, the panelists shared key career mindsets that have guided them.

Dr. Norris emphasized the importance of staying curious and recognizing small wins, particularly in research and development roles where impact is often delayed. She noted that many global health interventions require decades of investment, and success is measured in incremental progress.

Dr. Kamuyango highlighted adaptability and continuous learning as essential. She encouraged PhDs and early-career professionals to embrace new opportunities, remain open to learning on the job, and stay committed to their field of interest despite challenges. She also advised job seekers to identify a specific niche in global health that aligns with their passion, as sustained motivation is critical in a field that often involves long-term and high-stakes work.

Where to Go from Here

For those looking to break into global health, the best strategy is to start now. Key next steps include:

• Exploring structured entry programs like WHO’s Young Professionals Program or AAAS Policy Fellowships.
• Seeking out consultancies, roster applications, and short-term positions to gain experience.
• Engaging with professional networks in global health through LinkedIn, conferences, and informational interviews.
• Identifying a specialized area within global health to develop expertise and credibility.

This conversation underscored an important reality: there is no single path into global health, but multiple entry points exist. The challenge is not just breaking in but building a career that is impactful, sustainable, and aligned with one’s values.