External Engagement And Strategic Communications Advisor

About the Role

The External Engagement and Strategic Communications Advisor will lead high-level strategic engagement, diplomatic outreach, and external relations efforts across Africa and globally. The role focuses on positioning malaria elimination as a 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 agendas, strengthening visibility, influence, and mobilizing political commitment and sustainable financing.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Engagement and Policy Alignment: Support the CEO in engaging leaders, Ambassadors, and Ministers; position malaria elimination within AU frameworks, RECs, WHO AFRO, Africa CDC; coordinate senior-level dialogues; advise on political and development trends; align malaria efforts with global priorities.
• External Relations and Government Engagement: Represent the organization at high-level forums; oversee preparation of briefings and public remarks; cultivate long-term relationships with governments, AU institutions, RECs, and diplomatic missions; organize country missions and diplomatic briefings.
• Resource Mobilization and Diplomacy: Support engagement with donors, multilateral banks, philanthropic institutions; assist in framing investment cases; identify and cultivate new funding opportunities, including private sector and south-south cooperation.
• Strategic Positioning: Deepen engagement with AU organs, UN agencies, and donor missions; coordinate high-level meetings, policy dialogues, and regional consultations; strengthen engagements in the Americas and Asia Pacific.
• Strategic Communications and Advocacy: Provide oversight of advocacy and communications strategy; supervise Advocacy and Communications Specialist; ensure delivery of high-impact content and campaigns; support high-level diplomatic engagement, strengthen visibility, and mobilize political and financial commitment.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Advanced degree in Public Health, International Relations, Communications, Development Studies, Political Science, or related field. Bachelor's degree with 2 additional years of experience may be accepted.
• Experience: Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in external engagement, strategic communications, policy advocacy, diplomacy, or international development; at least 5 years engaging senior government or international organization leadership; experience advising senior leaders and supporting diplomatic engagement at global/regional forums; experience with donors, development banks, and philanthropic institutions.
• Desired: Experience in global health partnerships or malaria programs; prior work within UN agencies, multilateral organizations, or international NGOs; understanding of AU systems and regional economic communities.
• Skills: Diplomacy, donor management, governmental affairs, internal & external communications, public affairs, public health, public relations, stakeholder engagement, strategic communications.
• Competencies: Strategic thinking, ethical standards, team collaboration, leadership, external relations, decision-making, innovation, effective communication, adaptability, continuous improvement.
• Language: English - Fluent (Required), French - Intermediate (Desirable)

Application Notes

Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. UNOPS embraces diversity and provides reasonable accommodations during assessments upon request.