Senior Program Officer, International Policy and Advocacy

SUMMARY:

The International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC) directly improves women's lives through professional collaboration and grants to dozens of health and rights organizations around the world. At the International level, IWHC brings pioneering ideas to the forefront of negotiations on women's rights and health. IWHC plays an active role at United Nations and other inter-governmental conferences and collaborates with governments and global health policymakers, including United Nations agencies and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Population Fund to defend women's right to reproductive health information and services. IWHC is based in New York, New York.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Program Officer will take responsibility for IWHC's advocacy to influence global health policies, programs and budgets to prioritize Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Health (SRRH). S/he keeps a watching brief on major global initiatives and agencies, selects those most important to SRRH, provides them substantive input, works with their governing boards and advisory committees, and mobilizes alliances to support IWHC's positions. S/he also contributes to overall design, implementation and monitoring of IWHC's sexual and reproductive rights and health international policy program. S/he will cultivate relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders, maintain substantive knowledge of issues, policies and networks, write and present on primary topics; collaborate with regional program officers to coordinate with their policy strategies at the national and regional levels; and, contribute expertise, perspective and input to IWHC's overall program, strategy, and organizational development.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Accounts to: Vice President, International Policy & Regional Programs
Manages and supports: One shared Program Assistant
Key Relationships: President; Vice Presidents; Senior Program Officer, With Women Worldwide

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Contribute to design and implementation of International Policy program:

• Provide conceptual and strategic leadership to issues, including safe motherhood, comprehensive sexuality education, and human rights and sexuality.
• Conceptualize, write, present, and publish papers on selected policy issues in international fora; design and convene seminars and issue-specific panels on selected topics, and commission papers for publication.
• Identify and maintain ongoing relationships with a wide range of international actors and represent IWHC at international meetings.
• Identify regional colleagues to participate in collaborative activities with international organizations; serve as a resource on policy.
• Serve as a resource on policy information for IWHC staff, colleagues, and international organizations.
• Prepare and monitor budget of approximately $1.2 million.
• Design and manage grants in support of this work, monitor progress, and assess impact.

Contribute to IWHC's mission to promote, advocate and advance sexual and reproductive rights and health (SRRH), and the overall development and strengthening of the organization:

• As a member of the Program Team, participate in IWHC's strategic thinking and planning for development of program directions and initiatives.
• Work with communications staff to ensure synergy of international policy and communications efforts.
• Work with development staff, maintain relations with donors, contribute to proposals, and support fundraising efforts as needed.
• Serve on various cross-functional teams, ensuring harmonization of goals and priorities, and effective collaboration across regions and departments.
• Contribute to the preparation of institutional documents and publications as needed.

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

• BA required, Masters' degree or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of eight years of relevant advocacy/policy experience.
• Exceptional ability to think strategically and translate ideas into programmatic plans and actions.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, sound political judgment and excellent interpersonal skills; proven ability to work cross-culturally.
• Sensitivity to contemporary political, gender and human rights work driving the mission of IWHC.
• Track record in thought leadership and writing for publication.
• Experience in advocacy by building and maintaining alliances. Experience working with and influencing global policy actors and multilateral bodies including UN agencies, influential donor governments and global leaders a plus.
• Comfort in taking initiative, collaborating and managing multiple projects in a timely fashion.
• Ability to create and ensure effective communication in written and spoken format for various audiences.
• Ability to quickly develop understanding of IWHC work and internal operations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple and competing priorities and topics, and meet deadlines.
• Experience in drafting proposals and planning documents; and developing and managing budgets.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally up to one-quarter of the time.
• Fluency in English, and proficiency in another UN language.
• Facility with Microsoft Office, databases, and the internet.

COMPENSATION:

Highly competitive salary and excellent benefits (based on a Spring 2007 market survey), including generous vacation time, a professional development stipend, and no contribution for employee-only medical and dental coverage, among others.

TO APPLY:

Send cover letter including salary requirements and resume to: Priscilla Rosenwald, Leadership Recruiters, email: leadrecruit@gmail.com

We cannot respond to all inquiries-only candidates for consideration will be contacted. Regrettably we will not accept phone calls.

IWHC is an equal opportunity employer. IWHC strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual's race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, HIV status or disability. This policy applies to all IWHC activities including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, discipline and discharge. We are committed to seeking qualified candidates who contribute to the diversity of the working environment.

Website: http://www.iwhc.org/jobs.cfm