Scope of Work

Position Title: Consultant: Cost-Effectiveness Assessment and Internal Modeling

Location: Remote (Global)

Estimated Duration: Approximately 4-6 months

Purpose and Objectives

Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) is seeking a short-term consultant to help design and operationalize an internal cost-effectiveness assessment model aligned with the methodologies used by effective altruism-oriented funders and philanthropic evaluators.

The objective is to build a practical, transparent, and repeatable model that RTSL teams can use internally to:

• Assess the relative cost-effectiveness of different RTSL interventions

• Pressure-test program design and strategic choices

• Strengthen proposal development and funder conversations, particularly with Effective Altruism (EA)-aligned funders

Overall Approach

The consultant will work hands-on to design, build, and apply an internal cost-effectiveness assessment model for RTSL. The role is execution-focused, with the consultant directly responsible for developing the analytical framework, running analyses, and producing outputs.

In doing so, the consultant will consult closely with relevant RTSL colleagues (Development and Program Technical leads) to inform assumptions, data inputs, and interpretation, but will retain ownership for driving the work forward and producing concrete deliverables.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

1. Design of an Internal Cost-Effectiveness Framework

• Develop a practical cost-effectiveness model aligned with EA-style approaches (expected value, counterfactual impact, comparison to cash transfer benchmarks, uncertainty ranges).
• Ensure the model is transparent and simple enough to be used internally (e.g., spreadsheet-based with clear parameterization).
• Explicitly address issues critical to RTSL’s work, including policy leverage, attribution, durability, and time horizons.

2. Application to Priority RTSL Initiatives

• Apply the model to a small set of agreed priority initiatives, expected to include:
  
  • Low-sodium salt interventions
  • Health taxes and fiscal policy work
  • Selected pandemic preparedness / epidemic prevention initiatives
• Document key assumptions, sensitivities, and ranges for each case.
• Identify where results are robust versus highly assumption-dependent.

3. Internal Consultation and Iteration

• The consultant will engage directly with a small number of relevant RTSL staff on an as-needed basis to:
  • Validate assumptions and data inputs
  • Sense-check attribution, time horizons, and durability
  • Ensure analyses reflect operational and policy realities
• The consultant will be responsible for incorporating this input into the models and analyses.

4. Training and Institutionalization

• Develop and deliver training sessions for relevant RTSL staff on how to use and interpret the model.
• Produce short guidance materials (e.g., “how to run a basic CEA,” “how to frame results for proposals”).
• Support embedding cost-effectiveness thinking into program design and proposal development workflows.

5. Funder-Facing Readiness

• Develop cost-effectiveness models and accompanying narrative materials that can be credibly shared with EA-aligned funders. This includes:
  • Clear documentation of assumptions, uncertainty ranges, and counterfactual reasoning
  • Simple, defensible summary outputs suitable for proposal annexes or technical follow-up with funders
  • Support to RTSL in articulating results clearly and consistently in external conversation
• Outputs should be aligned with the analytical styles and expectations of EA-oriented funders.

Profile of the Consultant

• Demonstrated experience conducting cost-effectiveness analyses used by or for effective altruism-aligned funders.

• Hands-on experience building and running applied models (not purely academic or theoretical work).

• Familiarity with issues such as counterfactual impact, attribution, policy leverage, and uncertainty.

• Ability to work collaboratively with non-economists and translate technical concepts into practical tools.

• Experience working with global health or policy interventions strongly preferred.

Duration and Level of Effort

• Estimated duration: approximately 4-6 months

• Estimated level of effort: approximately 30–50% time, depending on phase of work

• Level of effort to be agreed, with flexibility to intensify during model design and testing phases.

Collaboration & Contract Management

• RTSL’s Chief Development Officer will serve as Contract Manager, receiving, reviewing, and providing input into the deliverables.

• The consultant will work closely with RTSL program leads.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the engagement, RTSL should have:

• A usable internal cost-effectiveness assessment model

• Several RTSL initiatives analyzed through the model, with conclusions/key messages drafted

• Internal capacity to apply cost-effectiveness thinking consistently in program design and proposal development

• Stronger alignment with EA-oriented funder expectations

Application Process

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

RTSL accepts and reviews applications on an ongoing basis. We are grateful for your interest in our work and for your application. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, we are unable to respond to every applicant. Someone from our talent team will contact you if your qualifications match the role.