Policy Specialist

The past fifteen years have seen tremendous gains in reducing the burden of disease and progressing towards malaria elimination. Between 2000 and 2015, global malaria incidence fell by 37 percent and mortality rates by 60 percent. Over 6.2 million deaths were averted, primarily among children less than five years of age. Expansions in financing, strong political commitments, novel diagnostic and preventative measures, and multi-sectoral co-ordination have facilitated this progress. Since 1998, RBM has been central to the global fight against malaria. It has been essential to mobilizing these unprecedented resources and scaled up innovative interventions and to put the world on to a path of eliminating malaria.

Despite these gains, malaria still poses a significant threat to public health and sustainable development. WHO report indicates that in 2016, there were 91 countries that reported a total of 216 million cases of malaria cases and 445 000 deaths.  Although malaria case incidence has fallen globally since 2010, the rate of decline has stalled and even reversed in some regions since 2014. Mortality rates have followed a similar pattern. Worldwide, 15 countries - all but one in sub-Saharan Africa - carry 80% of the global malaria burden.  

RBM's Vision is of a world free from the burden of malaria.

The RBM Partnership is based in Geneva and hosted by UNOPS.

The role provides policy advice and support to the RBM Partnership CEO and the Secretariat Team to achieve the core objectives and strategic priorities of the Partnership.

The incumbent works in close collaboration with CEO, RBM Partner Committees and RBM Board Leadership and Members, along with technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring the successful implementation of RBM activities.

The Policy Officer will work closely with the Advocacy and Resource Mobilization Partner Committee (ARMPC) Manager, Country and Regional Support Partner Committee (CRSPC) Manager and Strategic Communications Partner Committee (SCPC) Manager to maximize synergies and the impact of overall efforts. The Policy Officer will also work closely with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) on the monitoring of the RBM strategy and workplan.

Successful results involve analysing and preparing briefings on trends and relevant reports of the UN system, providing advice and practical support to the CEO and Board Chair to maximize the effectiveness and impact of attendance at global events and providing ongoing guidance, support, and advice in the reviewing of documents, policies and practice across the malaria community.

General policy and advisory support for the RBM Partnership

• Provide policy and advisory services that respond to the CEO’s and RBM Board Chair needs;
• Provide policy advice and technical guidance to and collaborate substantively with other Partners’ focal points to help achieve RBM’s strategic goals and implement supported programmes;
• Conduct analysis and research of the political, social, and economic situation within malaria affected countries;
• Preparation of high quality documents summarizing the developments in the relevant areas of cooperation.

Review strategic policy documents, prepare briefings and provide advice and support

• Support the development and implementation of regular forums and events on issues related to malaria activities with media, NGOs, communities, etc.
• Collect inputs and prepares briefings, talking points and/or speeches for major advocacy events of the CEO and RBM Board Chair;
• Support the implementation of successful and strategic partnerships with UN and external partner institutions –governments, private sector, academia, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society;
• Assist the Secretariat with the drafting of the annual report, donor reports, proposals and other such publications.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building/sharing:

• Identify best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country / regional policy goals and coordination on malaria;
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Share of information with RBM Secretariat and partners on malaria and coordination issues.
• Facilitate information-sharing, effective communication and collaboration across the RBM Partnership, as well as existing and prospective partners.

Other

To perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including backstopping for RBM Secretariat managers as required.

Advanced university degree in Public Health, Business, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences, or related field.

Essential: 

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in international organisations.
• Demonstrated experience with drafting reports and/or policy documents, including an ability to summarize key points for decision-makers.

Desirable:  

• Robust understanding of key policy issues within malaria sector.
• Experience in international and/or national public health or related field is desirable.
• Experience in advocacy, social mobilisation and communications work.
• Experience in a malaria-endemic country is an asset.
• Familiarity with UN systems, tools and procedures.
• Proven judgment, discretion, and diplomacy.   
• Excellent computer literacy and knowledge of Microsoft products.
• Ability to work under pressure and obtain results. 
• Capacity and willingness to work in a collaborative manner.
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

English fluency (written and spoken) is required.

Fluency in French is desirable.

1. Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
2. Contract level: International ICA, level 2
3. Contract duration:Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.