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Business Administration / Management / NGO Jobs

External Engagement and Communications Advisor Full Time NEW

Job Highlight

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape high-level political and diplomatic engagement for malaria elimination globally. Based in Addis Ababa, home to the African Union, Africa CDC, and a large diplomatic community, the position operates at the centre of continental decision-making on health and development.
With Africa carrying the highest malaria burden globally, the Advisor will ensure malaria remains a priority within broader agendas such as UHC, climate resilience, and pandemic preparedness. Working directly with the CEO, the Advisor will influence regional and international agendas, cultivate strategic relationships with governments, the African Union, multilateral institutions, and donors, and lead the organisation’s strategic communications and advocacy.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

As part of the Global Portfolios 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), 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. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

About the Group

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), 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. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

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, RECs, and program colleagues, will lead the organization’s high-level diplomatic, strategic engagement, and external relations efforts across Africa and globally. Based in Addis Ababa, the role will focus on building influential relationships with leaders, regional institutions, multilateral organizations, and donors to advance malaria elimination as a priority within the broader health and development agenda.

The Advisor will support the CEO in positioning malaria elimination as a central pillar of sustainable development, health equity, and economic resilience, while contributing to securing increased commitment and sustainable financing for malaria programs through direct engagement and diplomacy with key stakeholders.

The role includes advancing high-level partnerships, securing political commitments, strengthening RBM’s visibility across regional and global platforms, leading strategic communications, and contributing to resource mobilisation efforts to ensure coherent advocacy and sustained momentum toward malaria elimination.The Advisor reports to the CEO, oversees the RBM Communications and Advocacy unit, and has secondary supervisory reporting lines to the Global Malaria Advisor based in Addis Ababa.

Functions / Key Results Expected

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.

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.

  • Supervise the development and review of key communications outputs—such as press releases, op-eds, reports, and multimedia materials—to effectively articulate the organization’s impact, priorities, and strategic messages to diverse audiences.

  • 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:

RBM significantly elevated the visibility and prioritization of malaria across African Union institutions, national governments, and global platforms—driving stronger political ownership and policy integration. The CEO’s enhanced strategic influence, coupled with effective diplomacy and high-level engagement, positioned malaria as a critical, cross-cutting investment aligned with broader agendas like UHC, climate resilience, and pandemic preparedness. Strategic communications and partnerships deepened stakeholder commitment and reinforced RBM’s credibility, while resource mobilization efforts unlocked new opportunities, including innovative finance and south-south cooperation.

Skills

Business Development, Communication, Donor Management, Personnel Management, Public Health, Public Speaking, Public-private Partnerships, Publications, Stakeholder Engagement

Competencies

  • Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
  • Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
  • Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
  • Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
  • Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
  • Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
  • Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
  • Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

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 of 7 years of progressively senior experience in global health, external relations, policy advocacy, or international diplomacy.

  • Proven track record in influencing political agendas, building strategic partnerships, and leading high-level stakeholder engagement in Africa and globally is required.

  • Experience in supporting high level resource mobilization efforts is required.

Desired

  • Strong knowledge of the African Union system and the workings of multilateral and bilateral development institutions is desirable

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
FrenchIntermediateDesirable

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
  • Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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.

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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
  • For more details about the contract types, please click 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.
    How To Apply

Job Overview

  • ID: 47575
  • Date Posted:
  • Expiration date: December 31, 2025
  • Location:
  • Job Title: External Engagement and Communications Advisor
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