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.

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

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.

5. Language Proficiency

• Fluency in English; knowledge of French language is a plus