THE ROLE

The Country Support units, situated in the Country Programmes Delivery department, works to achieve effective implementation of Gavi’s portfolio of support aimed at increasing immunisation coverage and equity, as well as financial sustainability in Gavi-eligible countries. This work is conducted in close collaboration with Gavi Alliance partners, country stakeholders, other development partners and the rest of the Gavi Secretariat.

Gavi’s Middle Income Countries (MICs) approach seeks to prevent and mitigate backsliding in vaccine coverage in former Gavi-eligible countries, and to drive the sustainable introductions of key missing vaccines in both former and select never-Gavi eligible middle-income countries. The MICs Approach seeks to achieve explicit outcomes, reflecting its clear focus on results. A Theory of Change sets out a path to achieving these outcomes and a comprehensive measurement framework will monitor progress and help understand the impact of investments. A learning agenda accompanies the MICs Approach, helping to inform its implementation and enabling any needed course correction.

The Head, MICs Country Engagement must be a seasoned manager able to mentor and be a thought partner to his/her team members. The Head is expected to actively participate in key organisation-wide and cross-cutting initiatives related to policies, strategies, processes, and/or guidelines relevant to the effective delivery of Gavi’s mission.

Key functions and deliverables:

• Increased immunisation coverage and equity in Gavi-eligible MICs countries;
• High-quality, timely analysis and strategic advice in relation to the team’s grant portfolio;
• Highly performing MICs country engagement team, with consistent, effective, efficient working practices and appropriate tailoring to country specificities;
• Timely, quality completion of the various steps of the grant making process, and high quality of key grant management documents (including MICs funding requests submitted to the Independent Review Committee or for CEO’s approval);
• Proactive identification and resolution/mitigation of issues and risks related to the management and use of Gavi investments in countries;
• Excellent relationships with key counterparts in governments, across the Gavi Alliance and with other development partners particularly at regional level;
• Support MICs country engagement team members to implement the MICs Learning Agenda;
• Support innovative solutions to support MICs with backsliding and new vaccine introductions;
• Support to Covid-19 vaccine delivery and related support through COVAX.

Grant management leadership and support:
• Provide guidance and leadership to SCMs/PMs on management of Gavi grants; act as a sounding board; identify and highlight strategic opportunities to advance partnership, coverage and equity, integration, sustainability, etc.;
• Enable, contribute to and oversee progress on key performance indicators to reach Gavi’s strategic objectives;
• Guide MICs country engagement team members to accelerate implementation of the MICs Approach, and conduct quality reviews of MICs support requests from eligible countries to ensure alignment with MICs strategy and guidelines;
• Conduct oversight and quality assurance, with a particular focus on risk management; elevate key issues; initiate preventative and remedial actions; lead in bringing solutions to situations of significant complexity (e.g., political instability, crisis, large country portfolio, special partnerships etc.);
• Monitor and enable proper implementation of operational guidelines, Gavi policies and procedures by the team;
• Provide back-up support on any country when needed, particularly in fragile and complex situations.

People management:
• Provide onboarding, ongoing support, coaching and mentoring to team members;
• Manage performance of team members; conduct recruitment as needed; coordinate the team’s work; ensure a productive, collaborative working environment within the MICs team and Country Support; model Gavi values and behaviours.

Stakeholder coordination and management:
• Coordinate and strengthen collaboration with regional and country partners across eligible MICs;
• Support management of partners’ technical assistance;
• Manage relationships with key donors;
• Foster an enabling environment at all levels (global, regional, country);
• Represent Gavi at regional/other fora;
• Ensure coordination with other key internal stakeholders, including Market Shaping, Policy and others as appropriate.

Analysis and policy:
• Conduct in-depth programmatic and performance analysis, identifying and managing risks;
• Contribute to the development of Gavi policies and operational policies, procedures and tools under the MICs approach; provide policy advice and analysis as required.

Learning and continuous improvement:
• Support MICs country engagement team members to implement the MICs Learning Agenda and ensure lessons learned are reflected in the MICs Approach and broader MICs Strategy;
• Support innovative solutions to support MICs with backsliding and new vaccine introductions;
• Co-develop and ensure uptake of sound practices for grant management, strategic information management, risk assessment, sharing of knowledge and lessons, etc.; instil a culture of continuous improvement and Gavi values.

Note: The essential functions listed in this section are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities; other duties may be assigned consistently with the department needs.

• Minimum 12 years of professional experience working in public health or development at international levels; experience in health systems or development financing a clear asset;
• Minimum 7 years of grant management experience including process management either from a donor or implementer perspective is a must have;
• Minimum 5-7 years of in-country working experience in similar field in Gavi eligible countries, specifically in MICs or countries in transition from donor’s support is desirable;
• Experience with risk management and quality assurance preferably at the portfolio level is a must have;
• Minimum 7 years demonstrated experience in building and leading high-performing teams;
• Demonstrated experience managing a team is required;
• People and performance management experience in similar settings;
• Proven experience working in/with developing countries on a wide range of technical issues related to health sector/immunisation;
• Experience with high level political engagement and managing and influencing key stakeholders in partner countries;
• Proven experience in bilateral and multilateral environments.

• Proven management skills, including teamwork and people/team leadership and people development;
• Proven skills to effectively oversee grant management from end to end;
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of grants and programmes;
• Knowledge of sustainability and transition considerations;
• Prioritisation, planning, analysis, problem-solving and sound judgment;
• Strategic facilitation, negotiation, influencing, political acumen;
• Health or international development/economics/finance technical skills;
• Representation, advocacy, diplomacy, tact and discretion;
• Interpersonal, communication, writing and presentational skills;
• Drive, proactiveness, action and results orientation, continuous improvement;
• Ability to work successfully in an international, multi-cultural, multi-partner environment, with significant travel.

• Written and spoken fluency in English essential;
• Fluent in either French, Spanish or Portuguese is an absolute requirement; the other two highly desired.

• University degree in public health, health economics, development, business administration (with experience in international development) or other relevant qualification. Advanced degree preferred.

Internal contacts:
• All teams across the Gavi Secretariat.

External contacts:
• Developing country governments;
• Gavi Alliance partners;
• UN, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies and civil society.

If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on “Head, MICs Country Engagement (Temp)”. Deadline for applications is 27 August 2023.

Duration: Start as soon as possible (until 31 December 2025)

Please note that as a vaccine organisation and in order to provide duty of care towards its employees, Gavi is requiring its new employees to confirm that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition for pursuing employment with us. You can find out more by visiting this link.

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In support of Gavi’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, we hire globally and welcome applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, family status, sex, gender identity or expression, physical characteristics, race, religion, spirituality or sexual orientation. Gavi has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse as well as any form of discrimination or harassment. Everyone at Gavi is expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect towards each other. Gavi is committed to creating a work environment that is safe and professional, therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference checks. Read more here.

Gavi brings together the public and private sectors to save lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines against 18 infectious diseases. You will be joining an organisation at the centre of the international COVID-19 response, at the most critical time in global health in a lifetime. You will work in a culturally diverse environment with over 70 nationalities. You will collaborate with partners such as WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank – and from business, civil society and government. And you will work in the first global health organisation to receive equal gender salary certification. Your unique experience, skills and talents can help us achieve our vision of leaving no one behind without the life-saving power of vaccines.