Programme Manager Civil Society Engagement

Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance

Geneva, Switzerland

Implements strategies to achieve vaccine equity and the sustainability of immunisation through health policy and advocacy efforts, particularly with Civil Society Organisations at country, regional and global levels.

Key functions and deliverables: 
  • Supports meaningful engagement of Gavi Civil Society Organizations (CSO) steering committee and constituency to achieve Gavi’s mission;
  • Nurtures relationships of trust between Gavi and the CSO steering committee, CSO Board members and CSO constituency to successfully implement the advocacy component of the Gavi Civil Society and Community Engagement approach (CSCE), fostering meaningful engagement of CSOs at global, regional, and country levels;
  • Fosters social commitment to immunisation from a variety of CSOs sectors particularly youth, women’s group, and opinion leaders in favour of Gavi’s mission;
  • Supports the coordination of advocacy CSO engagement in Gavi countries and regions;
  • Supports the management of relationship between Gavi, the Gavi CSO Steering Committee and the hosting organisation;
  • Operates the advocacy framework of the CSCE approach to advance Gavi’s mission. 
Main Duties/Responsibilities:    
  • Supports the implementation of strategies to engage CSOs in shaping key workstreams in line with Gavi must wins;
  • Supports the development, shaping and implementation of an Advocacy Framework for CSO engagement with the Alliance;
  • Supports and stimulates advocacy collaboration between Gavi CSOs Board members, CSO steering committee and constituency and Gavi partners at the country, regional and global levels to achieve Gavi’s 5.1;
  • Supports and facilitates CSOs engagement in Gavi transition to 6.0 and integration in Gavi Alliance processes; 
  • Represents Gavi in CSO related external events and activities as delegated by the PPE Senior manager;
  • Provides proactive advice on advocacy opportunities and timely alerts on issues, risks, and improvements in relation with Gavi CSO engagement;
  • Contributes to the positioning of Gavi’s mission in the CSOs space at global, regional, and country levels, linking immunisation efforts with other health and development areas fostering a multi-sectoral approach;
  • Works closely and collaborative in PPE, with all relevant Gavi teams, and Alliance partners. 
  • Contributes to the design and operationalisation of advocacy strategies, plans and policy outcomes with CSOs;
  • Prepares reports, briefings, advocacy activities, position statements/papers, contents, talking points, policy analysis on CSOs to inform presentations, conferences, meetings, and events;
  • Organise CSO policy dialogues on Gavi priorities to drive momentum, anticipating future directions, sticking points, and opportunities;
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Work Experience:    
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience in civil society engagement, international health, global policy and advocacy, international affairs, international development, or public policy;
  • In-depth experience and understanding of international dynamics and country blocs and political positions. 
  • Experience working in a low- or middle-income country is essential;
  • Solid experience in building operational frameworks and strategies to engage multiple stakeholders. 
  • Proven operational experience in bringing together local stakeholders at the country level;
  • Proven experience at the country level geared towards building capacity of grassroot organisations. 
  • Excellent networks and relationships in the CSO community;
  • Significant experience on building partnerships with institutions relevant to immunisation is preferred. 
Skills:    
  • Political acumen, sound judgement, adaptive management, problem solving;
  • Diplomacy and tact;
  • Project formulation and management skills is an asset;
  • Ability to balance multiple priorities and projects in parallel;
  • Coalition and consensus builder;
  • High level negotiation skills;
  • Can-do approach that delivers results; 
  • Excellent networking and communication skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work across cultures with the capacity to build strong working relationships within and outside Gavi;
  • Embraces diversity and Gavi’s values;
  • Ability to work in a fast-changing environment and adapt to changing priorities;
  • Excellent team player. 
Languages:    
  • Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
  • Basic understanding of French is highly desirable;
  • Other UN languages or local African or Asian languages is an advantage.