United Nations Foundation

Senior Manager, Advocacy and Communications, Global Health

Employment Opportunity - WASHINGTON, DC - Full Time

Position Overview

The Senior Advocacy and Communications Manager, Global Health, is responsible for leading strategic advocacy and communications efforts for the United Nations Foundation's (UNF) global health portfolio. This role also supports advocacy and communications activities of partner networks that focus on the UN and specific global health initiatives and issues.

Key responsibilities include managing the UN Foundation’s communications related engagement with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), UNICEF, UNHCR, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), the Measles & Rubella Partnership, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and the RBM Partnership to End Malaria (RBM).

The position sits within both the UN Foundation’s Global Communications & Engagement Team and the Global Health Department and reports to the Vice President for Global Health Strategy, with a dotted line to Associate Vice President for Global Communications. The Senior Advocacy and Communications Manager, Global Health also works closely with advocacy and communications leads for UN Foundation campaigns.

This position is based in Washington, DC (Hybrid schedule).

Essential Functions

Strategy and Stakeholder Management
  • Provide strategic guidance on positioning relevant global health issues for UN Foundation target audiences, in close consultation with the Global Communications & Engagement team. 
  • Maintain awareness of emerging health & policy issues relevant to the Global Health Department, the UN Foundation, and its partner organizations (i.e., GPEI, RBM, Gavi, and Global Fund), as well as WHO and other United Nations agencies.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong strategic relationships with senior advocacy and communications counterparts at the UN Foundation, and its partner organizations (i.e., GPEI, RBM, Gavi, and Global Fund), as well as WHO and other United Nations agencies to further collective advocacy opportunities.
  • Serve as the primary liaison for day-to-day advocacy and communications interactions with the UN Foundation partner organizations (i.e., GPEI, RBM, Gavi, and Global Fund), as well as WHO and other United Nations agencies.
  • Align Global Health Department advocacy and communications strategies through coordination with UN Foundation partner organizations (i.e., GPEI, RBM, Gavi, IA2030, Measles and Rubella Partnership, and the Global Fund), as well as WHO and other United Nations agencies' focal points to advance resource mobilization efforts globally.
Strategic Advocacy and Communications
  • Develop, write, and oversee persuasive advocacy and strategic communications plans, messaging, and collateral materials tailored to a variety of stakeholders and donors for the Global Health Department.
  • Develop and implement advocacy and communications efforts in support of UN partners (such as the WHO, PAHO, UNICEF, and UNHCR), including during marquee events like the World Health Assembly and the United Nations General Assembly.
  • Advise, inform, and support the joint advocacy and communications planning of UN Foundation partner working groups (such as GPEI, RBM, Gavi, and Global Fund) for priority events, press engagement, and other opportunities to leverage communications for donor engagement.
  • Elevate the work of the Global Health Department to reach new audiences and cultivate new supporters, including through positioning thought leaders and experts in the global health and development space to foster resource mobilization.
  • Develop and execute media outreach strategies, including identifying opportunities to pitch stories, in close coordination with the Director of Media and Content. Cultivating trusted media relationships is a baseline expectation.
  • React quickly and prioritize appropriately in response to urgent requests or developments from the Global Health Department and UN Foundation partner organizations (i.e., GPEI, RBM, Gavi, and Global Fund), as well as in response to breaking news.
  • Write, edit, and produce a range of communications content, including press releases, targeted storytelling, donor materials, blogs, newsletters, policy analyses, and other content to enhance stakeholder and donor outreach, as needed.
  • Account and project management, including work planning, setting and meeting deadlines, coordinating colleague contributions, managing communications with contractors/consultants, and monitoring communications-related budgets.
Cross-team Engagement & Collaboration
  • Together with the Director of Media and Content, conceptualize, develop and manage global health press fellowships and foster long-term engagement with former press fellows.
  • Collaborate across other UN Foundation departments to develop and deliver mutually beneficial advocacy and communications strategies.
  • Support the overall efforts of the Global Communications and Engagement Team and Global Health Department as directed.
  • Contribute to new business proposals and pitches.

Selection Criteria
  • BS or BA required in communications, journalism, or a related field. An advanced degree and/or training in public health is preferred.
  • Seven or more years in public affairs, journalism or public relations related to global public health. 
  • Experience in curation and management of digital channels, including blogs, social media platforms, and other online media. Wordpress and Mailchimp content management experience a plus.
  • Proven experience in project management and strategic planning.
  • Track record of experience cultivating a range of partner relationships and building coalitions for advocacy and communications.
  • Demonstrated experience in the field of communications and global public health. Working knowledge of the UN and multilateral institutions a plus.
  • Strong understanding of the global health sector and international development policy environment or major parts of it, possess an excellent grasp of global health communication trends, and show a desire to explore new areas.
  • Experience preparing senior leaders for speaking engagements and media interviews. On-the-record media experience with a track record of obtaining media coverage for organizations, subject matter experts, and issues a plus.
  • Excellent editing and writing skills.
  • Graphic design experience a plus.
  • Management experience preferred.
  • Team player with the ability to work independently.
  • Good organizational skills and ability to manage several fast-paced projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to meet regular attendance/tardiness policy.
Benefits & Compensation 

For full-time, benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:
  • a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
  • dental insurance
  • vision insurance
  • flexible spending accounts
  • 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
  • group term and supplemental life insurance
  • short-term disability
  • long-term disability
  • commuter subsidy
  • back-up care
  • employee assistance program
Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.

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