Head of external affairs (Africa
Regional Office) at IVI – International Vaccine Institute: (Deadline Ongoing)
Job Description
We are seeking a Head of external
affairs for a 2-year-regular position (renewable) to work within the
Africa Regional Office at the International Vaccine Institute in Kigali,
Rwanda. (Duty station: Kigali, Rwanda)
Job Description
The role is accountable for enhancing IVI’s
institutional presence in Rwanda and Africa by leading the identification and
advancement of strategic business opportunities that align with IVI’s mission.
In addition, the position leads the design and implementation of the
communication strategy for IARO, ensuring consistency with IVI’s overall
strategic direction.
The incumbent contributes to the development of grant proposals with new
partners in Africa and may lead or manage selected grants where appropriate.
The role also provides high-level strategic and operational support to the IARO
Head as required.
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Key Roles & Responsibilities
1. Lead the strategic external
engagement & partnership development in Rwanda and in Africa
- Lead IVI’s external affairs activities in Rwanda and across
Africa, focusing on identifying, cultivating, and advancing strategic
partnerships aligned with IVI’s mission.
- Lead stakeholder mapping across the African vaccine development
and global health ecosystem, identifying potential collaborators, policy
influencers, technical partners, and funders.
- Drive proactive engagement with new partners—universities,
biotech companies, vaccine manufacturers, NGOs, donors, and government
agencies—ensuring IVI’s value proposition is clearly positioned.
- Lead initial outreach, relationship-building, and scouting of
new opportunities, serving as IVI’s senior representative in partner
engagements and early-stage negotiations.
- Prepare and facilitate high-level meetings between African
partners and IVI’s senior leadership, managing agendas, strategic
communication, and follow-ups to advance discussions.
- Represent IVI at key conferences, partner events, and
stakeholder meetings in Africa to strengthen IVI’s visibility,
credibility, and network.
- Model financial and organizational/capability implications.
- Facilitate the effective transition of matured opportunities to
internal project teams once agreements become active.
2. Lead the development and execution of
the communication strategy for IARO aligned with IVI strategy
- Lead the planning and execution of the communication strategy
for IARO in alignment with IVI’s institutional communications direction.
- Directly supervise and guide the IARO Communications Manager
and ensure high-quality outputs, timely content delivery, and alignment
with IVI’s brand and messaging.
- Oversee the development of communication materials—including
reports, partner updates, media content, and digital assets—highlighting
IVI’s African initiatives.
- Contribute to communications and presentations for conferences
and events, enhancing IVI’s visibility within Africa’s scientific and
global health communities.
3. Provide support or lead grant
proposal development and lead grant execution as principal investigator when
relevant
- Provide support and advice on grant proposals developed with
new partners in Rwanda and Africa, including those driven by other Units
and Principal Investigators within IVI Lead grant proposal development.
- Lead or co-lead grant proposal development when relevant,
including serving as principal investigator for select Africa-focused
grants.
4. Assist IARO Head in collaborating
with Global Affairs & Communications to help maintain, grow, establish, and
enable relationships with existing and potential member states/state funders
5. Assist IARO Head in the
development and execution of a specific African office strategy and alignment
(with Program Management and Strategy Head) of African office plans and
execution with IVI strategy
6. Other duties as assigned
Job Requirements and Qualifications
1. Education Requirements
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Policy,
Diplomacy, International Relations, Development Studies, Political
Science, Public Administration, or any other relevant social science or
management field.
2. Related Field Work Experience
- 15+ years of experience working in global health or in vaccine
related scientific field (immunology, molecular biology, virology,
clinical
development, epidemiology/vaccine effectiveness, etc …) in a PDP, Biotech, Big Pharma, leading University or Global Health Donor - (7+ years of people management experience)
3. Technical and Professional Skills /
Knowledge
- Good Knowledge of the Rwandan and /or African academic, Pharma
and/or Biotech companies, and funding vaccine ecosystem
- Good knowledge of the global health ecosystem and priorities
- Strong organizational skills; able to juggle multiple
priorities
- Tenacious
- Excellent people and management skills
- Track record of success in generating funds from public or
private sector donors
- Ability to successfully develop grant proposal and successfully
manage grants as a Principal investigator preferred
- Good knowledge of drug development and clinical trial
implementation preferably with vaccines and in a developing country
setting preferred
- Knowledge of epidemiology, statistics, on-site developing
countries expertise, cultural sensitivity, communication skills and
presentation skills preferred.
4. Key Competency
- Teamwork
- Client Orientation
- Creativity
- Communication
5. Language Proficiency
- Fluency in English; knowledge of French language is a plus
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