The International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC) promotes and protects the sexual and reproductive rights and health of women and young people, particularly adolescent girls, in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. IWHC advances this agenda by supporting and strengthening local leaders and organizations working within their communities and at the national and regional levels; by advocating for international policies, programs, and funding; and by seeking to influence US policy on these matters.

IWHC builds bridges between local realities and global policy making by connecting women and youth leaders in the Global South to key decision-makers. In doing so, IWHC brings local voices to global debates and in turn, makes global processes and policies more understandable and actionable at the local level.

Position Description: 

IWHC seeks a temporary Program Officer, International Policy (maternity leave replacement) to work as part of the Advocacy and Policy Program team to influence global health policies and programs to prioritize sexual and reproductive rights and health and women’s rights, with a focus on UN processes and UN agencies, such as UN Women, the UN Population Fund, and the World Health Organization. S/he will follow major global policy initiatives and agencies, provide substantive input to them, and mobilize alliances to support IWHC’s positions. S/he will maintain relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders, have substantive knowledge of issues, policies and networks, and collaborate closely with other IWHC program staff on policy work at the national and regional levels and in Washington DC.

Responsibilities: 

Contribute to design and implementation of overall International Policy activities:

• Provide conceptual and strategic input to and help to implement IWHC’s strategy to advance international and regional commitments to comprehensive sexual and reproductive rights;
• Advocate with governments at the UN, UN agencies and the UN Secretariat;
• Represent IWHC at the Commission on the Status of Women, the Commission on Population and
• Development, the High Level Political Forum, the High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage and other meetings as needed;
• Participate in relevant alliances and coalitions;
• Conceptualize, write, present, and publish papers on selected policy issues;
• Maintain ongoing relationships with a range of international actors;
• Serve as a resource on policy for IWHC staff, colleagues and international organizations;
• Participate in IWHC’s Advocacy in Practice program in collaboration with other staff;

Contribute to IWHC’s mission to promote and protect the sexual and reproductive rights and health of women and young people, particularly adolescent girls, and the overall development and strengthening of the organization:

• As a member of the Advocacy and Policy Program Team, participate in IWHC’s strategic thinking and planning for development of program directions and initiatives.
• Contribute to the preparation of institutional documents and publications as needed.

Qualifications: 

This position requires a dynamic strategic thinker, strong communicator, and excellent connector with superior people and management skills and a proven record of results.

• BA required, masters’ degree or equivalent preferred.
• Three to five years of relevant advocacy/policy experience.
• Exceptional ability to think strategically and translate ideas into programmatic plans and actions.
• Demonstrated commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, sound political judgment, tact and excellent interpersonal skills; proven ability to work cross-culturally.
• Experience in advocacy, building and maintaining alliances in a collaborative and inclusive approach, and working with and influencing global policy actors and multilateral bodies including UN agencies, donor governments and global leaders, preferred but not required.
• Sensitivity to gender and human rights concerns driving the mission of IWHC.
• Comfort in taking initiative, collaborating and managing multiple projects against deadlines.
• Ability to create and ensure effective communication in written and spoken format for various audiences.
• Fluency in English, and proficiency in another UN language preferred.
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office (particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Ability to work long hours and weekends during UN negotiations.

TO APPLY: Send cover letter (including ref. #POIP2019) and resume to: Liisa Sweet-Korpivaara @ fax 212-979-9009, or via email to: [email protected].