Head, Middle East

Position title: Head, Middle East 

Position type: Permanent 

Location: Geneva

Purpose of the position: Lead the sovereign and private sector engagement in the Middle East region   

Department: Resource Mobilisation and Growth (RMG)

Team: Africa, Asia, Latin America and Middle East

Reports to: Director of Africa, Asia, Latin America & Middle East

N° of positions supervised (if applicable): External consultants

Career step level:5

• Provide leadership, expert advice, and co-ordination in envisioning, developing, and growing sovereign & private sector engagement, and efforts to mobilise funding and expertise in support of Gavi programmes. Produce strategic pitches, and business & investment cases; 
• Anticipate the evolving funding landscape and identify financing structures and new sources of in-kind support to match future Gavi needs. Develop strategic options with senior management for raising resources and selectively developing high-value non-monetary partnerships more effectively; 
• Inform and drive structuring and implementation of new instruments to leverage private sector funding and lead associated transactions. Lead outreach to key financial and investors groups, pitch and negotiate financing mix (including existing and new funding windows); 
• Identify and develop potential funding/partnerships from the corporate sector, foundations, high net worth individuals and innovative Islamic/social financing mechanisms from the region. 
• Propose market-level plans to foster the strategic use of development finance and philanthropic funds to mobilise private capital. Provide advice in markets where there is not enough bandwidth or expertise; 
• Think through, develop, and structure individual deals. Build new public and private donor relationships at senior level and play a promotional role in generating new business

Strategic engagement and portfolio oversight of existing donors: 

• Initiate and negotiate grant and partnership agreements and renewals; 
  
• Manage relationship with governments and private sector partners. Co-ordinate strategic engagement and operational liaison with senior government representatives and corporate senior executives. Advise Director and Gavi Leadership Team (GLT) on governments’ positions; 
• Stay abreast of relevant government policies and decisions and the corporate and foundation landscape in a set of markets. Ensure systematic analysis of funding trends, develop funding targets, and forecast income projections to ensure effective resource mobilisation in these markets; 
• Define and implement market engagement strategies. 
• Develop, broaden, and strengthen network of high-level influencers and advocates in support of Gavi’s mission. Identify and engage with key centres of political support and influential constituencies and institutions, build bi-partisan constituencies, and mobilise champions; 
• Proactively address private and public donor needs and requests. Fulfil donor reporting requirements included in legal agreements. Lead on high quality documentation and reports; 
• Ensure effective instruments are in place to manage, forecast and track donor commitments. Develop best-practice public and private donor portfolio management, with appropriate streamlined reporting and results frameworks and management of donor agreements; 
• Monitor progress and performance towards agreed log frames and deliverables.

Team management and effective partnership with other teams: 

• Manage team activities, lead, guide, coach and develop staff; 
• Advise the team on development of engagement strategies in donor countries, building bi-partisan constituencies and mobilising key champions; 
• Lead and empower the team to engage with new sovereign and private sector partners; 
• Ensure effective collaboration with the Development Finance and Private Sector teams in scouting and developing strategic partnerships with development banks/institutions in the region.   
• Facilitate effective partnerships and cross-secretariat initiatives aimed at implementing selected pillars of the resource mobilisation strategy; 
• As needed, serve as the focal point with specific teams whose inputs are critical to the strategy process and act as lead in cross-Secretariat discussions; 
• Carry out projects assigned by the Director in accordance with the team objectives. Second the Director in managing key relationships and initiatives and represent the organisation’s leadership, as necessary.
  

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Academic

• Advanced degree in business administration, international relations, public affairs, Middle East studies or other relevant fields.

Work Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience with minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience; 
  
• Solid track-record in fundraising and Resource Mobilisation within the Middle East landscape in both the private and sovereign sector;
• Familiarity with international development and/or global health; 
• Established operational track record of excellence in achieving results; 
• Outstanding track record in complex projects management; 
• Excellent understanding of key transformations impacting industry and the political environment; demonstrated ability in translating macro trends to the development sector. 
• Credibility in public and private engagement, fundraising and partnerships, excellent understanding of both public and private sector perspectives is necessary; 
• Demonstrable experience dealing with political and technical governmental and private sector decision-making processes, and ability to operate internationally; 
• Experience identifying and articulating strategic issues, trade-offs, and priorities to provide sound advice.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Detailed knowledge of Middle Eastern region’s political, economic and social landscape, as well as policies and practices across global health and international development; 
  
• Demonstrated agile leadership skills and ability to impact & convince internal stakeholders and external donors.
  
• Proven ability to influence outside of formal hierarchical structures, and at the highest levels of leadership.
• Experience of working in highly complex and demanding environments, understanding of programmatic and fiduciary risks associated with grants;
• Excellent communication and executive presence;
• Demonstrated experience of working in and delivering through multi-partner environments and experience of delivering results through a matrix-style management structure;
• Demonstrated capacity to successfully manage situations of considerable complexity and/or political sensitivity;
• Experience in roles requiring extensive networking, relationship and alliance building; 
• Excellent business acumen and ability to translate processes into business value.
• Excellent skills and previous experience in media relations for global multilateral development organisations and knowledge of the global health environment would be a plus.

LANGUAGES

• Written and spoken fluency in English is required.
• Written and spoken fluency in Arabic is highly desirable.

CONTACTS

• Gavi Secretariat;
• Gavi Partners
• Donor Government and development agencies, private sector, foundation development banks and other investors;
• Media;
• Other key stakeholders.

If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on “Head, New Investors, Middle East. Deadline for applications is November 6th 2024.

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.