• Program Officer, International Policy
  
  

Program Officer, International Policy 

International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC)

Ref. #POIP0213

Accounts to: Director of Advocacy and Policy
Based in: New York, NY

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, 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 U.S. 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.

PRIMARY PURPOSE & FUNCTION 

The Program Officer, International Policy works 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 the UN Population Fund and the World Health Organization. S/he follows major global policy initiatives and agencies, provides substantive input to them, and mobilizes alliances to support IWHC’s positions. S/he cultivates relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders, maintains substantive knowledge of issues, policies and networks, writes and presents on a variety of topics, collaborates closely with other IWHC program staffon policy work at the national and regional levels and in Washington DC. 

With the Director of Advocacy and Policy and the President, s/he contributes to overall design, implementation and monitoring of IWHC’s international policy activities.  IWHC values teamwork and engages staff across functions. Therefore, the Program Officer, International Policy will contribute expertise, perspective and input to IWHC’s overall programs and organizational development.

• Provide conceptual and strategic inputs to IWHC’s UN advocacy on sexual and reproductive health and rights, including on comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, safe abortion, human rights and sexuality, and maternal health.
• At the UN, advocate with governments and UN agencies on the above.
• Represent IWHC at international meetings, initiate and participate in alliances and coalitions.
• Conceptualize, write, present, and publish papers on selected policy issues. 
• Design and convene seminars and issue-specific panels on selected topics, and commission papers for publication.
• Identify and maintain ongoing relationships with a range of international actors.
• Identify regional colleagues to participate in collaborative activities with international organizations. 
• Serve as a resource on policy for IWHC staff, colleagues, and international organizations.
• Provide leadership for IWHC’s Advocacy in Practice program in collaboration with other staff.
• Design and manage grants in support of the International Policy program, monitor progress, and assess impact, and participate in discussions of IWHC’s overall grant portfolio.

• 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.
• Work with communications staff to ensure synergy of international policy and communications efforts, including identification of writing and media opportunities (e.g. blogs, letters to the editor and op-eds).
• Work with development staff, engage with donors, contribute to proposals, and support fundraising efforts, including education and briefing events, 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.

• BA required, Masters’ degree or equivalent preferred.
• Three to five or more 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, 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.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally at least one-third of the time.
• Fluency in English, and proficiency in another UN language preferred.
• Excellent computer skills, including a proficiency with Microsoft Office (particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook.

COMPENSATION: Highly competitive salary and excellent benefits, including generous vacation time, and no contribution for employee-only medical and dental coverage, among others. 

DESIRED START DATE: As soon as possible. 

TO APPLY: Send cover letter (including ref. #POIP0213 and salary requirements) and resume to: Liisa Sweet-Korpivaara @ fax 212-979-9009, or via email (in MS Word) to: recruitment@iwhc.org 

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.