Head of Strategy and External Engagement

RBM Partnership to End Malaria

The RBM Partnership to End Malaria is the largest global platform for coordinated action towards a world free from malaria. It is comprised of over 500 partners - from community health worker groups and researchers developing new tools, to malaria-affected and donor countries, businesses and international organisations. 

Since its inception in 1998, the RBM Partnership has played a critical role in global efforts that reduced malaria deaths by half and saved 10.6 million lives. The Partnership is now committed to building on these significant gains and ending malaria for good.

Expansions in financing, strong political commitments, novel diagnostic and preventative measures, and multi-sectoral coordination have facilitated this progress. The RBM Partnership is central to the global fight against malaria and has played an essential role in mobilising political will and financial resources, as well as scaling up innovative interventions to put the world on a path to eliminating malaria.

Despite these gains, malaria still poses a significant threat to public health and sustainable development. Malaria continues to affect the poorest and most marginalised disproportionately and restricts human development and poverty alleviation. The African continent accounts for over 90% of the global malaria burden and therefore stands to gain the most from malaria elimination.

Malaria is a smart investment that contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, including ending poverty and ensuring quality education. 

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

The RBM Partnership is a global health initiative created to implement coordinated action against malaria. It mobilizes for action and resources and forges consensus among partners. The Partnership is composed of a multitude of partners, including malaria endemic countries, their bilateral and multilateral development partners, the private sector, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions. The partners join the RBM Partnership on a voluntary basis through their commitment to a malaria-free world.

The RBM Partnership is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader for the position of Head of Strategy and External Relations. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this role is instrumental in shaping and executing the organization's strategic initiatives, fostering external partnerships, and advocating for policies that advance the goal of ending malaria globally.

Key Responsibilities:

The incumbent will lead the Secretariat work in these areas, through facilitation and coordination of high-level strategic engagement. The incumbent is expected to be willing and able to travel up to 80%. 

This role will supervise the Communications and Advocacy Manager as well as the Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Manager.

High-level Strategic support to the CEO

Within delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following:  

• Strategic planning to support the partnerships and managerial objectives of the CEO working closely with the cooperation with the  Head of Programs   Managers and relevant departments within the RBM Secretariat

• Providing the CEO with high quality, strategically focused advice

• Coordinates the activities of the Secretariat  and Units as they relate to the CEO responsibilities and monitors implementation; 

• Oversees the management and organization of the Communications Unit, including monitoring of implementation against planning and budget execution;

• Oversees the management and organization of the Partnerships and Resource Mobilization department including monitoring of implementation against planning and budget execution; 

• Oversees the preparation of and reviews draft correspondence, official statements, briefing notes, talking points and reports for the CEOs signature or clearance; conducts relevant research and prepares background papers on matters of concern for the CEO; 

• Undertakes missions at the CEOs request;

• In the absence of the CEO, receives visitors, performs representational functions, organizes, and attends meetings on the CEO's behalf;

• Work collaboratively with the Executive Leadership team to provide the CEO with high quality and timely briefings and advice. 

• Ensure and be accountable for timely and quality communication is maintained across the Partnership.

• Oversee and lead the processes and systems required to deliver advice and support.

• Lead and be accountable for the management and response to cross-organisational issues (e.g. media/high risk OIAs/sensitive investigations or complaints). 

• Lead and be accountable for identifying, monitoring and managing organizational risks and opportunities

• Other functional  duties aligned to this role as required by the CEO.

Strategic Assistance and Implementation support

• Support in developing funding proposals and explore funding opportunities with donors and various stakeholders. 

• Support in increasing public and private domestic resource commitments and expanding innovative financing approaches.

• Coordinate between country, regional and global-level donors to enhance understanding and collaboration, jointly resolve key bottlenecks and work to fill funding gaps.

• Bring additional management and strategic capacity to the RBM Management Team

• Monitor the Partnership’s progress toward key targets and provide the CEO with updates on progress, including identified bottlenecks and constraints.

• Within the delegation of authority, oversee and manage the work of assigned personnel, distributing assignments to facilitate smooth and effective use of human and financial resources; training, motivating and coaching personnel, as well as evaluating performance and facilitating career development.

External Engagement

• Input into the development and implementation of RBM's external engagement strategy alongside members of the Secretariat, Head of Programmes, Communications and Advocacy and Partnerships Manager.

• Work closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to set direction for an active public affairs programme of international engagement, including events, briefings, external stakeholder, partner, community and employee engagement.

• Manage communications engagement with key stakeholders including with key global policy-makers, working closely with the Head of Programmes, Communications and Advocacy Manager and Partnerships Manager

• Lead a team of communications specialists on the internal and external communications strategy including organisational briefings, campaign building, PR, media, brand identity, digital engagement, crisis management and reputational risk

• Develop strategy for external political and policy audiences and senior internal stakeholders to support the delivery of campaigns and advocacy priorities

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) preferably in international relations, political science, management, or other relevant field is required.

•  A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Required 

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategy development, implementation and/or management of development projects . Within this prerequisite, at least 5 years at the senior management and/or leadership level is essential.

• 4 years of experience in the public health sector. 

• Documented high-level advocacy or experience with national and health-sector leaders is required. 

• Proven experience in strategic planning, external relations, and advocacy, preferably in the context of global health.

• Strong understanding of malaria-related issues and the global health landscape.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

• Demonstrated leadership experience in a multicultural and collaborative environment.

Desirable

• Experience working in challenging and politically complex situations.

• Experience in multi-stakeholder partnerships management and engagement.  

• Proven ability to manage and motivate senior staff located in different geographical locations.

• Specialization, experience or demonstrated understanding of international development related to malaria is preferred.

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Working knowledge of French, Spanish or another UN language is an asset.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• Geneva, Switzerland is a family duty station.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.