General Information

Publication for

Hosted Entity

Entity Name

RBM Partnership to End Malaria

Position Title

Global Malaria Advisor

Job Category

Programme

Duty Station(s)

Addis Ababa

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 12

Contract Type

ICA – IICA – Regular

Contract Level

IICA 4

Posting Start Date

09-Dec-2025

Posting End Date

31-Dec-2025

Duration

Open ended – subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Job Highlight

The Global Malaria Advisor will provide senior technical leadership to drive the RBM Partnership’s malaria elimination agenda across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Based in Addis Ababa and reporting to the CEO, the role leads regional strategies, oversees CRSPC workstreams, and supports delivery of the RBM Strategic Plan and Big Push Against Malaria.

The Advisor will coordinate responses to drug resistance, climate-related risks, and complex operating contexts, while strengthening partnerships with institutions such as the African Union and Africa CDC. The position also guides regional teams, contributes to funding and programmatic strategies, and convenes high-level dialogues to address barriers, mobilize resources, and accelerate regional progress toward malaria elimination.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS” strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

From Geneva, UNOPS strives to facilitate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade.

UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

UNOPS provides quality services, integrated solutions and management support to UN agencies, initiatives and partners in a strategic, cohesive, cost-effective and results-oriented manner. Geneva is also home to UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Regional Office.

About the Project Office

The past fifteen years have seen tremendous gains in reducing the burden of disease and progressing towards malaria elimination. Since 2000, global malaria deaths have been cut by more than half, saving 12.7 million lives, primarily among children less than five years of age. Expansions in financing, strong political commitments, novel diagnostic and preventative measures, and multi-sectoral co-ordination have facilitated this progress. Since 1998, RBM Partnership to End Malaria has been central to the global fight against malaria.

It has been essential to mobilizing resources and scaling up innovative interventions, putting the world onto a path towards eliminating malaria. The Partnership comprises more than 500 partners committed to end malaria, including malaria endemic countries, their bilateral and multilateral development partners, the private sector, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions.

The RBM Partnership”s Vision is of a world free from the burden of malaria. The RBM Partnership is based in Geneva and hosted by UNOPS.

About the Group

As part of the Global Portfolio Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR.

Job Specific Context

RBM Partnership to End Malaria

The past fifteen years have seen tremendous gains in reducing the burden of disease and progressing towards malaria elimination. Since 2000, global malaria deaths have been cut by more than half, saving 12.7 million lives, primarily among children less than five years of age. Expansions in financing, strong political commitments, novel diagnostic and preventative measures, and multi-sectoral co-ordination have facilitated this progress. Since 1998, RBM Partnership to End Malaria has been central to the global fight against malaria.

It has been essential to mobilizing resources and scaling up innovative interventions, putting the world onto a path towards eliminating malaria. The Partnership comprises more than 500 partners committed to end malaria, including malaria endemic countries, their bilateral and multilateral development partners, the private sector, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions.

The RBM Partnership”s Vision is of a world free from the burden of malaria. The RBM Partnership is based in Geneva and hosted by UNOPS.

Role Purpose

The Global Malaria Advisor plays a pivotal role in advancing the RBM Partnership”s strategic vision for malaria elimination, with a focus on high-burden regions and continental leadership. Operating under the direct supervision of the CEO, the Advisor will lead and coordinate the Partnership’s global, regional, and sub-regional elimination strategies in Africa, South-East Asia, and Latin America. The position is strategically located in Addis Ababa to deepen collaboration with African Union institutions, including Africa CDC, regional economic communities, and diplomatic missions.

The Advisor will drive synergetic engagement across stakeholders, support the operationalization of regional hubs, and guide the Partnership’s alignment with the Big Push Against Malaria. The post will also directly supervise the CRSPC’s workstreams and ensure alignment with RBM’s strategic, technical, and advocacy goals.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Senior technical advisory on emerging trends and challenges for malaria

• Actively contribute to executive-level decision-making as a member of the RBM Secretariat’s senior technical leadership.

• Provide the CEO and partnership with regular updates on the progress of elimination efforts, identifying key risks and mitigation strategies.

• Support strategic planning processes and the design and implementation of RBM Strategic Plan and the Big Push Against Malaria.

• Mentor and guide technical staff in elimination-related programming

2. Lead Technical Coordination on Priority Continental Issues

• Design and lead technical dialogues regional frameworks to address drug and insecticide resistance and malaria prevention, extreme weather events and response in complex operating settings

• Serve as the lead technical focal point for malaria elimination regional initiatives.Guide and oversee regional strategies and support initiatives focused on elimination zones such as South-East Africa, the Sahel, the Great Lakes, Andean region, and South-East Asia.

• Act as the primary focal point for translating global commitments into regionally tailored and context-specific interventions within the framework of regional bodies.

• Lead the technical interface with continental institutions (e.g., AU, Africa CDC, NEPAD) and ensure alignment with regional priorities.

• Provide direct strategic support and technical advice to the CEO and contribute to the design of high-level interventions and positioning efforts.

3. Operational Oversight and Advisory

• Guide the work of CRSPC at global, regional, and subregional levels, ensuring coherence with the Big Push and elimination goals.

• Coordinate and monitor implementation of elimination-oriented action plans and milestones for countries close to elimination

• Provide thought leadership direction for integrated approaches to elimination, including domestic financing, surveillance, and multisectoral collaboration.

• Support the development and review of funding proposals, programmatic strategies, and elimination metrics.

• Supervise the Regional and Sub regional teams of RBM, and actively participate to strategic dialogue with the Country and Regional Support Partners Committee

4. Cultivate the Big Push Against Malaria at regional levels

• Drive the operationalization of the Big Push Against Malaria across regions by ensuring strong technical, political, and financial alignment with RBM’s elimination objectives.

• Coordinate closely with the Head of Programs, External Engagement Advisor, and Technical Coordinator to align messaging, resource mobilization, and stakeholder engagement strategies that amplify the Big Push’s visibility and country/regional traction.

• Establish and maintain high-level technical partnerships with governments, regional economic communities, continental bodies, donors, and multilateral agencies to embed Big Push priorities within regional health and development frameworks.

• Convene and steer high-impact regional and global dialogues, taskforces, and learning platforms aimed at removing policy, financing, and implementation barriers—accelerating measurable progress under the Big Push framework.

• Act as an active member of the RBM Secretariat action lead sustainable financing efforts

Skills

Field Operations, Program Development, Program Management, Project Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, Strategic Planning, Team Management, Technical Leadership

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• A Master’s degree in public health, business management, public administration, science, social science or another relevant field is required.
• A Bachelors degree in public health, business management, public administration, science, social science or other relevant field plus two additional years of experience will be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in the development, implementation and/or management of Public health projects is required. Within this prerequisite, at least 5 years at the senior management and/or leadership level is required

• 5 years of experience in managing malaria projects, or malaria programs is required

• Experience in the public health sector, in particular with malaria endemic countries is required.

Desired

• Experience working in challenging and politically complex situations.

• Experience in multi-stakeholder partnerships management and engagement.

• Understanding and experience working in digital and information technologies projects

• Experience working with regional bodies

• Proven ability to manage and motivate senior staff located in different geographical locations.

• Specialization, experience or demonstrated understanding of international development related to malaria is preferred.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredFrenchBasicDesirable

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.