Global Engagement Director

Global (see locations below)

10 Oct 2022

India, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, United States (CA, WA, NY, MA, GA, NC, DC/Virginia), or Zambia, Nairobi, Kenya, South Africa - , United States - , Zambia - , Global (see specific locations below), Global (see locations below)

Full Time

1

15 years

19 Oct 2022

Position Title: Global Engagement Director

Location: India, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, United States (CA, WA, NY, MA, GA, NC, DC/Virginia) preferred, other countries will be considered

Reports to: Amie Batson, Executive Director

Hours per week (average): 40 (full time)

Overtime Status: Exempt


Our Vision and Mission – WomenLift Health is committed to expanding the power and influence of talented women in global health and catalyzing systemic change to achieve gender equality in leadership. We envision a world where diverse, accomplished leaders collectively transform health outcomes.   

Our Work – Established in 2019, we work to advance equality in health leadership through a range of actions at the individual, institutional, and societal levels. We currently work in East Africa, North America, South Asia (India) and Southern Africa and are expanding to other geographies. Our work includes a “Leadership Journey,” which focuses on giving mid-career women the tools, along with peer, mentor and coach support, to successfully use their voice, expertise and leadership for health impact. It also includes increasing awareness on the value of women’s leadership in health and what “reimagined” leadership looks, sounds, and acts like.  Ultimately our goal is to encourage and support concrete action by women, male allies, institutional leaders, governments, partners and high level champions to change the face of leadership in health, both globally and nationally – at the individual, institutional and societal level. We firmly believe that investing in leadership is the key to moving us from talk to action for better health outcomes.

Our Culture and Values – We are building a diverse, entrepreneurial team of people who bring unique cultural and technical perspectives and experiences. We welcome results-oriented problem-solvers of any nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion and disability. We are a growing organization that is committed to building a culture with our partners that values: 

  • Collaborative leadership that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences and ensures everyone contributes to their full potential. 
  • Partnership grounded in humility, respect, empathy, and inclusion. 
  • Transformative change based upon bold, strategic thinking combined with adaptability and pragmatic action. 
  • Spirit of learning that ensures we are open, forward-looking, constructive, and committed to growing collectively and individually. 
  • Achieving impact by improving global health and gender equality. 

Position Summary

WomenLift Health is seeking an experienced, innovative and dynamic Global Engagement Director to lead the design and implementation of a complex strategy addressing global partner engagement, advocacy and strategic communications to raise awareness about women’s leadership, create a compelling case for change and, most importantly, encourage and support concrete actions by women, male allies, institutional leaders, and influencers for equality in health leadership. The Global Engagement Director will report to the Executive Director and be part of the Senior Leadership Team. They will represent WomenLift Health globally, engaging with high-level global and national leaders across sectors. They will manage a small global staff and lead a cross-country practice team comprised of communication experts in each region. Working closely with the WomenLift Health Hub Directors, the incumbent will support the design, and implementation of appropriately contextualized communication, advocacy and engagement plans for the initial geographies of India, East Africa, North America, and Southern Africa in the first 2 years and further global expansion in future years. WomenLift is in its early stages of scaling and needs senior leadership that straddles strategic thinking and implementing effectively in a highly entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Global Communications, Engagement, and Advocacy

  • Lead the design and implementation of the WomenLift Health global engagement, advocacy, and communications strategy and workplan to advance women’s leadership in health. This  includes:
    • Building, integrating and executing on strategic partnerships and  coordinating global communications and advocacy activities to create a compelling case for action.
    • Publicizing evidence on the value of investing in leadership, disseminating best practices and case studies on institutional change for creating more gender equal and inclusive cultures, raising the visibility of strong women leaders and male allies, and providing platforms for champions to challenge unacceptable behaviors and propose new policies and actions.
    • Through communications, advocacy and partner engagement, contribute to a societal movement, helping to build a community of partners in target countries committed to advancing women and promoting change that leads to diverse and impactful leadership for better health outcomes.   
  • Guide strategic communications and advocacy, including efforts to increase the visibility of WomenLift Health’s brand and mission as well as core messaging on the value and challenges of women’s leadership in global health. This includes amplifying the stories and successes of women leaders in our Leadership Journey cohorts, leading the design and execution of WomenLift’s premiere annual event, the “Women Leaders in Global Health Conference”, etc.
  • Lead and oversee the development of a full suite of WomenLift Health material required for strategic communication, advocacy, engagement, fundraising, and societal influence to build the case for women’s leadership, build commitment and encourage action toward equality and diversity in health leadership.
    • In collaboration with Hub Directors, support the development of regionally contextualized materials and collateral.   
  • Prioritize, engage, and support strategic partner organizations, global advisory board members, high level regional and global leaders, and WomenLift Health senior leaders to amplify and leverage WomenLift Health and its work to advance women’s leadership in health. 
  • Work strategically behind the scenes with targeted partners, including governments, philanthropists, and UN agencies to ensure that WomenLift Health messaging is integrated in and aligned with the broader women’s leadership and global health agenda.
  • Communicates WomenLift Health’s story and learning as we build an organization that prioritizes collaborative leadership and operationalizes DEI both through our programs and how we work internally and externally.   

Management and Leadership

  • Build and manage a team of high performing staff to support the global and regional engagement, communications and influence strategy.
  • Build norms, practices and mechanisms for a cohesive global team that learns from and builds on best practices from around the world and aligns global and regional communications and engagement priorities and plans. 
  • Collaborate and coordinate with Hub Directors to ensure implementation of the communications strategy at global and regional levels.
  • Assist with oversight of regional communication service partners to deliver on their plan and ensure WomenLift Health’s visibility via regional media platforms.
  • As a member of the WomenLift Health Senior Leadership Team (SLT), actively participate in its activities and contribute to the growth and efficient management of Women Lift Health and provide guidance to the Executive Director, and senior leaders on best ways to mitigate risk and leverage strategic opportunities.
  • Contribute to the development of compelling, targeted fundraising pitches and proposals.
  • In collaboration with Global MEL Director, oversee overall communications/engagement monitoring and evaluation, ensuring accurate data for purposes of reporting, program improvement and donor accountability.

Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability   

  • Minimum Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree highly preferred
  • Minimum 15 years' work experience with 10 years of related global experience in independently developing and executing a global engagement, strategic communication and influence strategy for projects of comparable size/complexity, including managing a team
  • Background and experience in global health, gender equity or leadership development
  • Demonstrated impact in designing and implementing a complex global engagement strategy, including experience measuring impact for partners and funders
  • Proven track record designing and organizing global events
  • Established network of personal and institutional relationships relevant to global health
  • Strong influencing, negotiating and relationship management skills including proven capacity to engage and support high-level leaders
  • Depth of global experience, cultural-sensitivity, judgement, and confidence befitting a senior leadership position
  • Proven ability to grow, manage, leverage, and sustain a diverse, multi-cultural, best-in-class team
  • Proven ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment that requires initiative, flexibility, ingenuity, resilience and commitment
  • Outstanding communications skills including a thorough understanding of brand management and the ability to work across cultures and geographies at all levels and for all audiences.

Valued and Non-Essential Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Ability

●     Experience working in South Asia, Africa, North America, and at the global level


How to Apply 

To apply, submit resume and cover letter through Jobsoid link on the WomenLift Health careers page: https://www.womenlifthealth.org/careers/  Please also include 3 professional references and desired annual salary in USD. 

Hiring Statement  

WomenLift Health is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working. Candidates in countries outside of the United States will be hired through a PEO (Professional Employer Organization). 

COVID-19 Policy 

To center the safety and well-being of its employees, New Venture Fund requires that any employee who is required to conduct in-person activities for their job must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 within four weeks of their start date. This position may require candidates to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Accommodations may be sought and approved in accordance with the law by contacting human resources at [email protected].