Market Shaping Consultant, Low Sodium Salt

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is a US-based, global public health organization with a mission to prevent 100 million deaths from heart disease and to make the world safer from epidemics. Since 2017, Resolve to Save Lives has partnered with low-and middle-income country governments, multilateral agencies, academic and other civil society partners, and communities to implement policies and programs to treat and control hypertension, reduce sodium intake, eliminate artificial trans fats, and strengthen systems for epidemic prevention. 

Resolve to Save Lives’ Cardiovascular Health (CVH) unit works closely with Ministries of Health and other partners to save as many lives as possible from cardiovascular disease. Our main focus is on three high-impact interventions: trans fat elimination, sodium reduction, and treatment of people with hypertension.

Position Purpose

Low sodium salts (LSS) have been shown to reduce death from cardiovascular disease by approximately 14% when used instead of regular salt. LSS has been used in China for the last 20 years, and while it is relatively available, usage is still quite low despite the proven health benefits. Resolve to Save Lives aims to design a project that can help take low-sodium salts to scale in three major cities in China. As part of the design phase of this work, we will be conducting studies to understand the market, its limitations, and the potential ways to address this. We are looking to hire a consultant with experience designing market-shaping projects to help inform our research and design the market-shaping plans.

Duration

This is a part-time consultancy appointment for two days per week. The duration of the project is from date of appointment to March 31, 2026.

Contract Deliverables

The expected deliverables of the consultant include:

• Provide technical advice and input into the design of three surveys, ensuring that adequate information is captured to design a market-shaping strategy for low sodium salts in project cities:
  • Low sodium salt market survey
  • Key informant interviews
  • Consumer focus groups
• Synthesize results from three studies and use these to recommend market-shaping approaches
• Collaborate closely with China-based partners and experts to refine market-shaping proposals (travel to China 1-2/times)
• Draft final report including research findings, market shaping recommendations, etc.

Contract management

The Independent Contractor will submit all deliverables to the Director, Nutrition and Surveillance, CVH, who will manage this contract and monitor progress towards deliverables.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, public policy, business or international development

Experience

• 8+ years of relevant global health or development experience
• At least four years working on projects that include a market-shaping component
• Demonstrated experience with high-level reports for decision-makers, NGOs or government agencies
• Experience with qualitative/quantitative survey design to drive market-shaping strategies
• Experience with high-level stakeholder engagement
• Experience working on social innovation products is desired
• Experience working in China is preferred but not required

Skills & abilities

• Strong grasp of market-shaping principles and how to apply them in various policy areas
• Ability to communicate technical knowledge and expertise in both policy and operational environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong analytical and research skills
• High degree of initiative, adaptability, problem-solving skills, and creativity
• Time-management skills with the ability to work in a deadline-oriented environment, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks independently
• Mandarin or other dialects are preferred but not required

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role.

RTSL believes its programs are strengthened when they are developed and supported by individuals with diverse life experiences whose understanding of social and cultural issues can help make our work and workforce more inclusive. We encourage applications from and provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, organ donor status, or status as a veteran. Resolve to Save Lives complies with all applicable US EEO laws.