Over the past years, the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt. In countries with already fragile health systems, this has had a catastrophic impact. Through the ground-breaking COVAX Facility and the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), Gavi is working with the international community to take urgent action in accelerating a COVID-19 vaccine and ensure it becomes available to populations no matter where they live. This is the moment where more resources from diverse and sustainable sources are required, and that available financing must be leveraged strategically and efficiently to unlock the greatest level of impact possible. What is needed now is a comprehensive approach to attract, retain, and multiply the financial and business resources of the private sector, and catalyse transformative innovations to strategically support countries, partners, and the Gavi secretariat as it seeks to ensure sustainability in its ambitious immunisation programmes and safeguard global health security.

The RMPSPIF department supports the Alliance by ensuring sustainable donor financing and enhanced resource innovation. This includes (i) securing donor pledges delivered in Berlin and deepening relationships with existing donors while helping to elevate Gavi and immunisation on global agendas, (ii) diversifying Gavi’s financing base to include new and emerging donors, development institutions, regional banks, and the private sector (iii) bringing to bear the innovation and resources of the private sector through new and expanded partnerships, innovative financing, and other initiatives; and (iv) leading key fundraising and reporting exercises.
The Private Sector Partnerships and Innovations team, nested in the New Investors Hub (NIH), is focused on mobilising financial resources from philanthropic investors, building partnerships with the private sector, and scaling innovations to advance Gavi’s objectives. To date, the team has pioneered the use of emerging technologies to accelerate vaccine delivery, built partnerships with global multinationals and leading country corporations, and created the INFUSE platform to identify high potential innovators.

THE ROLE

The Head of Private Sector Partnerships and Innovation, working together with RMPSPIF management team will initiate, lead, and coordinate cross-department and cross-secretariat initiatives to design and pilot strategies related to resource mobilisation, private sector engagement, and innovation. The Head of Private Sector Partnerships and Innovation will represent as needed Gavi in external fora.

As a member of the RMPSPIF management team, the Head of Private Sector Partnerships and Innovation will ensure alignment of the department strategy with the various market strategies and partnership development efforts. The Head will also spearhead certain new and innovative initiatives to deepen public and private donor engagement and leverage existing and new resources for the greatest impact. More specifically:

1. Lead the Private Sector Partnerships and Innovations team to manage and grow the portfolio of corporate and innovation partners:

2. Drive the implementation of the Private Sector engagement strategy to generate additional financing and assets to complement Gavi’s strategies and initiatives.

3. Lead Gavi’s INFUSE 2.0 platform aimed at scaling-up proven private sector innovations in immunisation delivery

4. Drive and develop new selected innovative initiatives including but not limited to enhanced partnerships with select business platforms, new mechanisms targeting the private sector, and other priorities as they arise;

5. Ensuring the engagement of the private sector and innovators in key Gavi events such as WEF Annual Meetings, Gavi’s Mid-Term Review, and Replenishment conference.

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 of 15 years of professional experience in the fields of partnership development, private sector engagement, strategy, impact investing, and innovation management and resource mobilisation;
• Experience and proven management track record in the area of creating and managing partnerships is necessary;
• Good understanding of key transformations impacting today’s business, industry and political environment; as well as good overview of development aid work is a plus;
• Ideal candidate has experience both with private and public sectors, with a proven track record of securing 7 figure funds;
• Experience of managing multiple projects within a fast-moving environment is required;
• Experience of engaging with business executives and senior level stakeholders is required;
• Demonstrated ability to structure financial instruments and navigate complex funding mechanisms is a plus.

• Excellent management skills and established operational track record in managing teams; a demonstrated ability to leverage team strengths, coach development areas and provide the source of ongoing motivation necessary to achieving results;
• Exceptional people skills including relationship development at senior levels, and ability to influence outside of formal hierarchical structures;
• Exceptional tact, political, diplomatic, and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent networking, representational, communications and negotiation abilities;
• Excellent presentation and storytelling skills;
• Ability to cope with uncertainty and ambiguity;
• Excellent analytical and synthesising capabilities;
• Excellent communication skills and an outstanding commend of written and spoken English;
• Entrepreneur spirit, problem-solving skills and result-orientated is a must;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish working relationships with multiple teams;
• Good understanding of Gavi and Gavi strategic objectives or capability and willingness to acquire this knowledge quickly.

• Fluent English is required;
• other languages desirable.

• University degree in public affairs, global health, business administration, social entrepreneurship, fundraising, or international development. Master’s degree preferred.

• Gavi Secretariat;
• Gavi Partners;
• Donor governments and development agencies;
• Financial institutions;
• Private sector companies;
• HNWI and private foundations;
• Impact and commercial investors;
• Other key stakeholders in target markets.

If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on “Head, Private Sector Partnerships and Innovation”. Deadline for applications is 25th May 2023.

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.