Contract Term: 9 months

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Start date: June 2026

Contract type: Consultant (seconded/embedded with a public health client in Kigali; day-to-day work will be based in the client’s office (hybrid)

ABOUT GLOBAL HEALTH STRATEGIES (GHS)

Global Health Strategies (GHS) is an international consulting firm that uses advocacy, communications and policy analysis to advance issues and power campaigns that improve health and well-being around the world. We work across some of the world’s most dynamic regions to enable policy innovations, mobilize resources and build political will, engaging global and local audiences to drive change. At the heart of our work is the vision of a world where everyone, no matter where they live, has the chance to live a healthy life. We are helping to achieve this goal by working with clients to promote research and development for urgently needed medicines, advocate for services on behalf of at-risk populations and strengthen the most vulnerable health systems so that they can stand resilient in the face of modern threats.

We have offices in Dakar, Geneva, Jakarta, Johannesburg, London, Nairobi, New Delhi, New York and Rio de Janeiro, and we support work in diverse countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Our clients include philanthropy, industry, NGOs, government agencies, academic institutions and product development partnerships.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a motivated consultant for a dedicated secondment, operating out of the client’s office. The ideal candidate has excellent people skills, strong project management experience, proven communications capabilities and networks, and the ability to think strategically, who will thrive in an agile, fast-paced, entrepreneurial working environment.

They bring core competencies in content development, media relations, event management, advocacy, and stakeholder and client engagement. They have a strong understanding of global public health and development issues and are passionate about applying their skills to improve health and wellbeing around the world. Candidates must have at least 10 years’ experience in designing and implementing communications and advocacy projects. Bilingual (English and French) candidates with an advanced university degree have an advantage.

Responsibilities within this role include:

Communications

• Developing and implementing robust communications and advocacy strategies that meet our clients’ needs.
• Simplifying complex concepts to make them accessible and actionable to various stakeholder groups by developing and editing compelling content including key messages, fact sheets, speeches and talking points, media collateral (such a press releases, media advisories and toolkits), opinion pieces, web articles, social media content and other creative digital materials, including engaging multimedia/audiovisual content.
• Building and nurturing networks, including identifying the right media contacts for client pitches, drafting compelling pitches, media outreach (media pitching) and developing relationships with reporters and editors from major national, regional and international outlets across the continent and beyond. Aside from media, the senior manager will also be expected to build and nurture strong relationships with stakeholders within client’s areas of interest to raise visibility and create opportunities.
• Positioning our clients as influential opinion shapers and high-level influencers by elevating their public profiles and enhancing their visibility through various platforms, including speaking opportunities (speeches, panel appearances, media interviews, etc.) and other thought leadership moments, such as opinion pieces and social media commentary during key moments.
• Supporting event management for GHS’ clients through efficient project management, including agenda shaping, speaker selection, partner engagement, content development, on-ground support and post-event reporting.
• Tracking and reporting on trends in global health and development, new and traditional media and any other key issues, innovations, events or dialogues that may impact GHS’ business or client work.
• Translating complex regulatory and technical content into accessible, audience-appropriate communications for governments, civil society, media and the private sector — in support of the client’s institutional mandate and public credibility.
• Managing institutional reputation and crisis communications including rapid-response messaging and issues management during sensitive regulatory decisions, public health emergencies or high-stakes disputes involving the client’s member states and partners.

Advocacy

• Identifying strategic moments and new champions to influence target stakeholders and amplify our clients’ strategic goals.
• Supporting GHS Africa leadership in convening partners, influencers, and decision-makers in health by working on major deliverables within high-level events, including conceptualizing sessions to meet advocacy goals, identifying and briefing invitees and speakers, and developing agendas and presentations.
• Supporting and/or building new coalitions to spotlight existing and emerging global health issues through strategic outreach and relationship management.
• Strengthening engagement with media and other stakeholders as well as maintaining existing external relationships.
• Tracking and reporting on trends in global health policies and funding opportunities.

Client/Project Management

• Guiding project strategy development by contributing to the articulation of a vision and purpose in line with clients’ overall goals and objectives.
• Owning and supporting project deliverables, enforcing timelines, finalizing project plans and budget projections, and managing implementation of projects.
• Participating in and leading client/stakeholder calls and meetings, attending client events with senior management.
• Regular communications with senior staff on project progress and challenges, bringing solutions to problems before they arise.
• Providing advice and strategic counsel to donors/clients/partners and other external stakeholders when needed.
• Ensuring materials developed by project teams are of high quality and are client-ready.
• Supporting senior project leadership in their interactions with the client and overall management of assigned projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required skills and qualifications

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) required
• Over 10 years of work experience
• Post-graduate degree in Journalism, Business Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Public Administration or related fields
• Journalism, communications or public relations experience
• Strong project management, presentation and organizational skills
• Proven experience in the development of excellent communication material and ability to write compelling stories
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Experience organizing conferences and events
• Experience working with senior executives (e.g., senior management teams like C-suite members and board members, etc.)
• Understanding of public health issues and socio-economic landscape across Africa
• Experience in regulatory communications or institutional health body communications, with a demonstrated track record of translating technical or scientific content for non-specialist audiences including governments, media, and civil society
• Familiarity with African Union or other intergovernmental organization communications protocols, including experience operating across francophone and anglophone institutional contexts

Valuable skills and qualifications

• Proficiency in French is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in project management and design tools, such as Monday, Asana, Wrike, Adobe suite or Canva
• Existing contacts within key ministries, issue areas, media outlets, partners and other stakeholders
• Campaign experience in global health or development
• Master’s degree in a related field
• Knowledge of the African medicines regulatory landscape, including the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization initiative and medicines access dynamics