Chief Digital Transformation Officer (CDTO)

Position title: Chief Digital Transformation Officer (CDTO)

Position type: 5-year fixed term contract (possibility for renewal)

Location: Geneva

Purpose of the position: To lead and shape the organisation's digital strategy, ensuring technology is leveraged to maximise the impact of Gavi’s mission to achieve equity in immunisation.

Department: Office of the CEO

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Career step level:7

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership committed to saving children's lives and protecting people's health by increasing equitable use of vaccines in lower-income countries. The Vaccine Alliance brings together implementing country and donor governments, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. Gavi uses innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and adequate supply of quality vaccines. Since 2000, Gavi has contributed to the immunisation of more than 981 million children and the prevention of more than 16 million future deaths.

THE ROLE

Gavi seeks a visionary Chief Digital Transformation Officer (CDTO) to lead and shape the organisation's digital strategy, ensuring technology is leveraged to maximise the impact of Gavi’s mission to achieve equity in immunisation. The CDTO will drive digital innovation across all functional areas, overseeing the development of digital platforms, modernising information systems, and fostering a culture of continuous digital evolution aligned with Gavi’s mission. This role includes a particular focus on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovation and improve operational efficiency in support of public health outcomes.

The CDTO will work closely with senior leadership, external stakeholders, and technical teams to ensure the successful integration of advanced technologies such as AI, big data, and cloud solutions to streamline Gavi’s vaccine supply chain, expand its reach, and improve immunisation coverage. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record in digital transformation, experience working in global health and development sectors, and the ability to navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments.

The CDTO will ensure that all digital initiatives prioritise security, equity, and accessibility, contributing to Gavi's mission of leaving no one behind in immunisation efforts. Additionally, the CDTO will have oversight of the Knowledge Management and Technology Services function (IT), IT support, and Cyber Security for the organisation.

Key objectives: 

• Drive digital innovation and serve as a change agent throughout the organisation;
• Set and implement digital strategy by working with cross-functional partners to map and transition analog processes to digital ones, specifically aimed at enhancing immunisation efforts;
• Ensure collaboration, knowledge sharing, and digital best practices among partners and colleagues to help establish a robust digital ecosystem aligned with Gavi’s mission;
• Oversee the integration of AI, big data, and cloud solutions to streamline operations, particularly within the vaccine supply chain.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee Knowledge Management and Technology Services department including IT, IT support, and Cyber Security to ensure robust digital infrastructure supporting Gavi’s operations and strategic goals;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive digital transformation strategy, by working with cross functional partners to map and transition analogue processes to digital ones with an emphasis on optimising Gavi’s digital strategies and outreach;
• Champion the use of digital technology and practices to engender a digital mindset from the top down with a strong emphasis on AI integration;
• Lead cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for AI and digital innovation across all departments, focusing on improving vaccine delivery, supply chain management and immunisation coverage;
• Oversee the development and implementation of AI-driven solutions to optimise business processes, enhance data analysis, and improve decision-making capabilities, especially in areas critical to immunisation efforts;
• Collaborate with senior leadership to ensure alignment of digital initiatives with overall organisational goals;
• Manage the digital transformation budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and maximising return on investment;
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning, promoting AI literacy and digital skills development throughout the organisation;
• Instrumental in leading extensive change management efforts, driving significant organizational changes that leverage existing processes and systems, while also pioneering and establishing innovative concepts that are currently undeveloped within the organization;
• Ensure data security, privacy, and ethical considerations are prioritised in all AI and digital transformation projects, with a special focus on maintaining the security of immunisation related data;
• Measure ROI for digital projects, fine-tuning approaches as needed to ensure that Gavi is investing in the appropriate tools and resources to support its global health mission;
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of digital transformation initiatives, with a focus on improving immunisation coverage and equity;
• Ensures collaboration, knowledge sharing, and digital best practices among partners and colleagues to help establish a robust digital-innovation ecosystem within Gavi.

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

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field, with a focus on AI, machine learning, or data science
• Additional certifications in IT service management, digital transformation, or project management are advantageous.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 15 years' experience, of which 10 within an executive leadership role in information systems and project management, with a strong background in digital transformation and AI implementation; 
• Proven track record of successfully leading digital transformation projects, preferably in healthcare, public health settings and international development sectors (blend of experiences across these sectors would be an asset);
• Demonstrated experience in managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with diverse stakeholders;
• Strong background in data analytics, AI technologies, and their applications in public health. 

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

Technical Skills:

• Deep understanding of AI technologies, machine learning algorithms, and their practical applications in public health and immunisation;
• Proficiency in data analytics, cloud computing, digital health platforms and supply chain management tools;
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in public health informatics.

Leadership Skills:

• Collaborative and transformational leadership with the ability to inspire and drive organisational change;
• Ensure that digital initiatives are fully integrated with the strategic-planning process, including leadership commitment and resource allocation, to advance Gavi’s strategic goals;
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with all levels of the organisation;
• Ability to manage and motivate diverse teams in a fast-paced, evolving environment;
• Change management expertise to guide the organisation through digital transformation, particularly in public health and global immunisation contexts.

Other Key Competencies:

• Strong ethical judgment and commitment to data privacy and security, especially in relation to immunisation data and global health information;
• An innovative and disruptive mindset, constantly looking forward to new digital solutions that can improve public health outcomes;
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable business strategies to support Gavi’s mission;
• Agility and adaptability to navigate rapidly changing technological landscapes;
• Financial acumen to manage budgets and demonstrate ROI on digital initiatives aimed at improving global immunisation coverage;

The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking leader who can harness the power of AI and digital technologies to revamp our ways of working both internally and in the interfaces with our partners to deliver on our commitments to public health practices, drive innovation, and ultimately improve the health outcomes of the communities we serve.

LANGUAGES

• Fluent English is required;
• French and other languages an asset.

CONTACTS

• Gavi Secretariat;
• Gavi Partners;
• Gavi Leadership Team (including Senior Management Team and Executive Team);
• Board and Committee Members;
• Technology Partners, Industry Peers, External consultants;
• Other key stakeholders.

Please be advised that we are collaborating with an executive search firm for the recruitment of this position. By submitting an application for this role, candidates explicitly consent to the disclosure of their application details to the executive search firm. For additional information regarding our privacy practices, we encourage candidates to review our privacy notice at the following link:

http://gavialliancecareers.secure.force.com/recruit/resource/Gavi_Privacy_Notice

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.              

Become part of our community and join us on Facebook and Twitter for updates about our mission to save children’s lives! You can also follow our hashtag #vaccineswork 

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.