External Engagement and Strategic Communications Advisor

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding – including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners – including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies – to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

As part of the Global Portfolio Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI),  energy(SEforALL) ,urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. UNOPS Geneva Office is providing support to a wide range of portfolios, including UNEP, UNICEF, UNHCR, and other partners. 

About the Project Office

RBM Partnership to End Malaria

The past fifteen years have seen tremendous gains in reducing the burden of disease and progressing towards malaria elimination. Since 2000, global malaria deaths have been cut by more than half, saving 12.7 million lives, 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 Partnership to End Malaria has been central to the global fight against malaria. It has been essential to mobilizing resources and scaling up innovative interventions, putting the world onto a path towards eliminating malaria. The Partnership comprises more than 500 partners committed to end malaria, 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 Big Push against Malaria provides the overarching collective approach to nurture an eradication ready ecosystem through six coordination pillars.

The RBM Partnership’s Vision is guided by the Unity30 2026-2030 strategic framework for a world free from the burden of malaria.

The RBM Partnership, hosted by UNOPS, is based in Geneva with several small hubs on the African Continent, including in Addis Ababa.

About the Group

UNOPS Global Portfolios bring together a range of expertise to help partners deliver impact Worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva and Vienna, and expert teams operating across regions, we lead complex, multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, peacebuilding and climate action. We work in close collaboration with the UN family, governments and other local and international partners. Our work ranges from supporting mine action in some of the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected contexts, to expanding access to healthcare and clean water, to help protect the environment.

Job Specific Context

RBM Partnership to End Malaria

The past fifteen years have seen tremendous gains in reducing the burden of disease and progressing towards malaria elimination. Since 2000, global malaria deaths have been cut by more than half, saving 12.7 million lives, 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 Partnership to End Malaria has been central to the global fight against malaria. It has been essential to mobilizing resources and scaling up innovative interventions, putting the world onto a path towards eliminating malaria. The Partnership comprises more than 500 partners committed to end malaria, 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 Big Push against Malaria provides the overarching collective approach to nurture an eradication ready ecosystem through six coordination pillars.

The RBM Partnership’s Vision is guided by the Unity30 2026-2030 strategic framework for a world free from the burden of malaria.

The RBM Partnership, hosted by UNOPS, is based in Geneva with several small hubs on the African Continent, including in Addis Ababa.

Role Purpose

The External Engagement and Communications Advisor, in close collaboration with partnerships, regional economic communities (RECs), and program colleagues, will lead the organization’s high-level strategic engagement, diplomatic outreach, and external relations efforts across Africa and globally.

Based in Addis Ababa, the role will focus on positioning malaria elimination as a strategic political and development priority, building influential relationships with senior government leaders, regional institutions, multilateral organizations, and donors.

The Advisor will support the CEO in advancing malaria elimination within regional and global political agendas, strengthening the organization’s visibility and influence, and mobilizing political commitment and sustainable financing for malaria programs.

The role also provides strategic oversight of the organization’s advocacy and communications efforts, ensuring that external messaging and engagement effectively support high-level diplomacy, partnerships, and resource mobilization objectives.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1.Strategic Engagement and Policy Alignment

• Provide high-level support to the CEO in engaging leaders, Ambassadors, and ministers, particularly within the African Union (AU) and its Member States and in other malaria endemic regions working in close collaboration with the Global Malaria Advisor

• Position malaria elimination within AU frameworks, regional economic communities, WHO AFRO, Africa CDC, NEPAD, and other development platforms in other malaria endemic regions

• Coordinate senior-level dialogues with governments to secure commitment and national ownership of malaria elimination goals in close collaboration with the CEO and/or the Global Malaria Advisor.

• Provide advice and insights on political and development trends relevant to the malaria agenda for the CEO.

• Align malaria elimination efforts with broader global and regional priorities including Universal Health Coverage, pandemic preparedness, climate resilience, and sustainable financing.

• Support the CEO in framing malaria as a driver of social and economic development.

2. External Relations and Government Engagement

• Align closely with the CEO and coordinate the representation of  the organization at some political and development fora (e.g., AU Summit, UNGA, WHA, regional ministerial meetings).

• Oversee the preparation of  high level strategic briefings, public remarks, and technical inputs for the CEO in high-stakes meetings and strategic discussions.

• Cultivate long-term relationships with national governments, AU institutions, RECs (e.g., SADC, ECOWAS), and diplomatic missions and in other malaria endemic regions to strengthen country-level commitment.

• Create the platform/networks and look for opportunities and avenues for the CEO to engage with high level government officials to advocate for malaria to be prioritized in national development strategies and budgets.

• Organize high-level country missions and diplomatic briefings for the CEO  to mobilize commitments and follow up on political pledges.

3. Resource Mobilization Diplomacy

Working in close coordination with the Partnerships  and Resource Mobilization Manager,

• Support senior-level engagement with traditional and emerging donors, multilateral development banks, philanthropic institutions, and high-net-worth individuals.

• Assist in framing investment cases for malaria financing, linking them to development and economic impact.

• Support the partnership to Identify and cultivate new funding opportunities, including innovative finance, private sector engagement, and south-south cooperation.

4. Strategic Positioning in Africa and global

• Leverage Addis Ababa’s unique position as a diplomatic and political capital to deepen engagement with AU organs, UN agencies, and donor missions.

• Build strong working relationships with AU Commission departments, Africa CDC, and international diplomatic representatives based in Addis Ababa but also in other parts of the globe.

• Coordinate high-level meetings, policy dialogues, and regional consultations from the Addis office in close alignment with the CEO’s priorities.

• Build strong working relationships with the partners in the Americas and Asia Pacific to deepen engagements in those regions.

5. Strategic Communications/Advocacy

• Lead high-level oversight and direction for the organization’s strategic communications/advocacy in line with the Advocacy and Communications strategy to ensure alignment with its mission, vision, and global engagement objectives.

• Supervise the Advocacy and Communications Specialist, with oversight on the Advocacy, Resource Mobilization and Communications Partner Committee, ensuring delivery of high-impact content and campaigns that amplify the organization’s visibility and influence among leaders, development partners, and the public.

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the organization’s advocacy and communications function, ensuring that messaging, publications, and campaigns effectively support high-level diplomatic engagement, strengthen the organization’s visibility and influence, and mobilize political and financial commitment for malaria elimination.

• Ensure that all communications activities support broader external engagement and advocacy strategies, reinforcing the organization’s position as a credible voice in global health and malaria elimination efforts.

Key results expected:

• Malaria elimination is elevated as a priority within African Union institutions, regional economic communities, and global health platforms, strengthening political commitment and policy alignment across malaria-endemic countries.

• The CEO’s strategic engagement with governments, regional institutions, and multilateral partners leads to stronger political ownership and commitments to malaria elimination.

• RBM’s visibility, credibility, and influence are strengthened across regional and global platforms, supported by strategic advocacy and communications aligned with diplomatic engagement priorities.

• Strategic partnerships and engagement with donors, development banks, and philanthropic institutions contribute to increased political and financial commitments for malaria elimination.

Skills

• Diplomacy, Donor Management, Governmental Affairs, Internal & External Communications, Public Affairs, Public Health, Public Relations, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Communications.

Education Requirements

Required

• Advanced degree in Public Health, International Relations, Communications, Development Studies, Political Science, or related field.

• A bachelor’s degree in Public Health, International Relations, Communications, Development Studies, Political Science, or related field with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.

Experience Requirements

Required:

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in external engagement, strategic communications, policy advocacy, diplomacy, or international development, preferably in the global health sector.

• Within this experience, at least 5 years must include direct engagement with senior government officials at Ministerial level or above, or senior leadership of international organizations.

• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders (e.g., CEOs, Ministers, Heads of State offices, or senior leadership of international organizations) and supporting diplomatic engagement at major global or regional forums such as the African Union Summit, United Nations General Assembly, World Health Assembly, or similar platforms.

• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting external engagement, advocacy, or strategic communications initiatives aimed at influencing policy agendas, mobilizing political commitment, or positioning development priorities.

• Demonstrated experience engaging bilateral donors, development banks, and philanthropic institutions in support of resource mobilization for global health or development initiatives.

• Demonstrated experience working on global health policy, malaria, infectious diseases, health systems strengthening, or related development sectors.

Desired

• Experience working in global health partnerships or malaria programs.

• Prior experience within UN agencies, multilateral organizations, or international NGOs.

• Strong understanding of the African Union system, regional economic communities (e.g., ECOWAS, SADC, EAC), and multilateral global health governance structures.

Language Requirements