Senior Specialist, Executive Office – Switzerland
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a public-private partnership dedicated to saving children’s lives and protecting people’s health by promoting the equitable use of vaccines in low-income countries. The Vaccine Alliance brings together implementing country governments and donors, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. Gavi uses innovative funding mechanisms, including co-funding by recipient countries, to ensure sustainable funding and an adequate supply of quality vaccines. Since 2000, Gavi has helped vaccinate more than 888 million children and prevent more than 15 million future deaths.
THE ROLE
The Senior Specialist, Operations, Executive Office is a key member of the Executive Office team and serves as a key advisor and support to the COO and CEO when needed. 2023 is a pivotal year for Gavi as it works to ensure routine immunizations and expand its reach to zero-dose children and missing communities, while continuing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and keep the COVID-19 vaccine in Integrated core program. Achieving this goal requires innovation and continuous operational improvements. The Senior Specialist will leverage their deep understanding of the organization and work with the COO to further evolve Gavi processes to achieve and maintain operational excellence.
MAIN TASKS
As a core member of the EO team and in collaboration with business teams, the Senior Specialist, Operations will:
• Assisting the COO in promoting operational effectiveness (OE) initiatives throughout the Secretariat. Innovate-Integrate-Improve. The portfolio will evolve over time, but initial projects include a) overhaul of the budgeting process and transparency of resource deployment, b) back integration of COVAX into the Gavi core, c) the EVOLVE project, d) change management & Communication and e) Culture Evolution; • Lead all OE engagements in the company’s finance and budget processes on behalf of the Executive Office; • Act as an internal ambassador for OE projects and build productive relationships with key executives to support business growth; • Overseeing change management operations on behalf of the COO, working with the EO and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment; • Strategically advising the CEO and COO on cross-divisional business functions, providing links to the critical and related programmatic issues that serve as a sounding board for Gavi’s board and committees; • Leading strategic planning on behalf of the Executive Office for all Audit and Finance Committee meetings; • Member of the COO leadership team and working integrally with the corporate PMO to ensure rigorous follow-up and follow-up on high-priority or sensitive issues; • Overseeing research and strategic analysis to support OE decision-making; • Help ensure robust information sharing and alignment across EOs, including by improving knowledge management and operational processes; and • Performing special projects and additional tasks, including assisting other members of the EO team as needed.
Note: The main functions listed in this section are not exhaustive in terms of task areas; Other duties can be assigned according to the needs of the department.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
• University degree in a STEM-related field, public health, public administration, development or similar; • Advanced degree desirable.
WORK EXPERIENCE
• At least 10 years of progressive work experience with at least 3 years of experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced and complex environment; • Proven track record of working closely together as a trusted support for executives at the C-suite level; • Excellent quantitative and analytical skills with the ability to leverage data; • Proven track record of strategic analysis and project management, including for executives; • Excellent experience in global public health and immunization; • Work experience in a multicultural environment.
CAPABILITIES
• Deep understanding of Gavi’s business processes; • Proven track record of driving process improvements and operational effectiveness; • Mature interpersonal skills to ensure an effective change management approach that meets the needs of the organization; • Detail oriented but also able to develop a strategic perspective; • Strategic thinker with proven ability to prioritize and articulate key issues for executive level decision makers; • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to structure and summarize complex issues; • Fast learners with the ability to multitask effectively while maintaining a sense of humor; • Organized, proactive and pragmatic with excellent process management skills; • Ability to prioritize and work under pressure and deadlines; • High level of flexibility and team orientation, willing to adapt to new priorities and step in when needed; • Proven ability to work in a team and in a multicultural environment while acting autonomously; • Ability to develop persuasive presentations; • Tactful and discreet.
LANGUAGES
• Fluent written and spoken English; • Proficiency in French highly desirable; • Knowledge of other languages would be an advantage.
CONTACTS
• All secretarial teams; • Alliance governance bodies; • Alliance partner organizations (e.g. WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation); • governments of developing and donor countries; • Media.
How to apply
If you would like to apply, please send us a cover letter and a CV career page and apply by clicking on “Senior Specialist, Executive Office” Application deadline is November 1, 2022.
Please note that as a vaccination organization and to fulfill our duty of care to our employees, Gavi requires new employees to confirm that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition of joining us. You can learn more by visiting them Shortcut.
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In support of Gavi’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, we are hiring globally and welcome applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, gender, gender identity or expression, physical characteristics, race, religion, spirituality or sexual orientation . Gavi does not tolerate sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or any form of discrimination or harassment. All Gavi employees are expected to treat each other with integrity and respect. Gavi strives to provide a safe and professional work environment, therefore all selected candidates undergo rigorous reference checks. Continue reading here.
Gavi brings together the public and private sectors to save lives and protect people’s health by promoting the equitable and sustainable use of vaccines against 18 infectious diseases. You will join an organization at the heart of the international response to COVID-19, at the most critical global health time of your life. You will work in a culturally diverse environment with over 70 nationalities. They work with partners like the WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank – and from business, civil society and government. And you will work in the first global health organization to receive gender-equal salary certification. Their unique experiences, skills and talents can help us achieve our vision of leaving no one without the life-saving power of vaccines.