The WHO Foundation (WHOF), established in May 2020 and headquartered in Geneva, operates as an independent Swiss foundation affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO). Its core mandate is to mobilize private capital, partnerships, and innovative financing to support WHO’s mission of promoting global health, ensuring safety, and serving vulnerable populations. WHO plays a central role in the global health ecosystem by responding to health emergencies, issuing technical guidance, and coordinating action at the country level. From crises such as COVID-19 to humanitarian challenges in regions like Ukraine and the Horn of Africa, WHO remains indispensable. However, the scale and complexity of modern global health challenges exceed the capacity of public funding alone. The WHO Foundation addresses this gap by engaging philanthropists, corporations, foundations, and individuals to unlock new resources and partnerships. It acts as a bridge between WHO and the private sector, ensuring impactful collaboration while preserving WHO’s neutrality and independence. Purpose of the Role The Director of Strategic Engagement serves as a senior leader responsible for strengthening the partnership between the WHO Foundation and WHO. The role focuses on advancing a forward-looking, strategic collaboration model that goes beyond technical alignment to enable large-scale resource mobilization and impact. This position involves leading a team of Heads of Strategic Engagement, ensuring they operate effectively within WHO’s complex institutional environment. The Director plays both a strategic and enabling role by removing barriers, fostering alignment, and ensuring cohesive engagement across all thematic areas. Key Responsibilities Institutional Engagement within WHO Act as the senior lead for engagement with WHO leadership, including Assistant Director-Generals and thematic program heads Maintain a comprehensive understanding of WHO’s institutional landscape and internal dynamics Align WHO priorities with the Foundation’s investment strategies Navigate institutional complexities to facilitate collaboration Represent the Foundation in high-level discussions and strategic forums Portfolio Enablement and Strategic Coordination Lead and support Heads of Strategic Engagement to ensure alignment and collaboration Promote consistency in messaging, positioning, and engagement approaches Identify synergies across portfolios and develop integrated funding opportunities Remove structural and institutional barriers affecting performance Facilitate knowledge sharing, peer learning, and strategic problem-solving Strengthen coordination across Development, Innovation, Operations, and Communications teams Strategic Opportunity Development and Portfolio Leadership Identify and shape high-impact opportunities aligned with WHO priorities Directly manage selected thematic portfolios, maintaining active engagement Build and maintain relationships with senior WHO leaders Guide the development of investment cases and funding propositions Support teams in elevating initiatives to institutional priority level Develop compelling narratives and positioning materials for donors Monitor global health trends to ensure forward-looking strategy Strategic Support to Resource Mobilization Partner with the Chief Development Officer to align institutional engagement with fundraising strategies Engage with major donors, foundations, and strategic partners Support complex funding negotiations and high-value partnerships Position the Foundation as a key partner for large-scale, multi-year initiatives Organizational Leadership and Systems Strengthening Build a high-performing Strategic Engagement function Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation Ensure effective documentation and knowledge management Contribute to the broader strategic direction of the Development function Profile and Experience The ideal candidate brings significant senior-level experience in global health, international development, or related sectors. A strong understanding of WHO governance and the broader global health ecosystem is essential. Key experience includes: Engagement with executive-level stakeholders in multilateral or philanthropic environments Proven success in building strategic partnerships and managing institutional relationships Leadership of multidisciplinary teams and complex portfolios Strong political awareness and ability to navigate institutional dynamics Exceptional communication and strategic writing skills Core Competencies The role requires a combination of leadership, strategic thinking, and interpersonal effectiveness, including: Strategic Leadership: Ability to define long-term direction and align priorities Relationship Management: Building and sustaining trust with senior stakeholders Diplomacy and Political Acumen: Navigating complex institutional environments Opportunity Development: Identifying and advancing high-impact initiatives Executive Communication: Translating complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives Collaboration: Aligning cross-functional teams toward shared goals Influence: Driving outcomes without formal authority Team Leadership: Coaching and empowering senior professionals Adaptability: Thriving in dynamic and evolving contexts Negotiation: Facilitating alignment between diverse stakeholders Integrity: Maintaining professionalism and confidentiality Additional Information Contract Type: Permanent Location: Geneva (with remote work flexibility) Work Rate: Full-time (100%) Start Date: As soon as possible Application Deadline: 18 April 2026 (10 AM CET) The WHO Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities regardless of background, identity, or status. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.