Senior Specialist, Grant Effectiveness

Position description

Position title: Senior Specialist, Grant Effectiveness
Contract type / duration: 5-year fixed-term contract
Location: Geneva
Department: Grants Management Department
Team: Grant Effectiveness
Reports To: Chief Grants Management Officer, Direct Line Manager, Director Measurement, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), Dotted Line
N° of positions supervised (if applicable): 0
Career Step: 5

1. About the Role

The Senior Specialist, Grant Effectiveness is a senior leadership role responsible for driving strategic change through the design, implementation, and oversight of comprehensive results frameworks across Gavi’s grant portfolio. This role ensures investments align with and support Gavi’s 2026–2030 strategy, by embedding performance and accountability into grant design and oversight. The incumbent leads the development and institutionalization of practical tools, standards, and performance management practices, enabling proactive, data-driven grant management.

While not responsible for leading grant development or monitoring & evaluation (M&E) standard-setting, this role collaborates closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) team to integrate M&E practices into grants, improve accountability, and ensure alignment with strategic theories of change. The Senior Specialist also fosters performance-oriented collaboration with key partners, including UNICEF, WHO, and civil society organisations, ensuring that grants—especially complex or high-risk ones—are effectively managed for impact.

2. Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership:Define a vision and operating model for leveraging evidence and data to drive grant effectiveness in alignment with Gavi’s strategic goals.

• Ensure MEL standards are integrated into grant management and aligned with the 6.0 strategy and associated measurement frameworks.
• Lead the creation of a risk appetite framework and grant performance model to support decentralised, accountable decision-making.
  Grant Performance & Strategic Alignment:
• Ensure grants are designed with clear results frameworks and milestones, aligning with Gavi’s Theory of Change.
• Develop common standards and reference frameworks to benchmark and compare grant performance across the portfolio.
• Build and institutionalise tools for real-time monitoring of grant performance, enabling timely course corrections and strategic learning.
  Risk & Results Management:
• Lead performance and accountability systems for complex grants and ensure effective risk mitigation and oversight.
• Collaborate with legal, audit, and operational risk teams to strengthen controls and alignment with Gavi’s accountability standards.
  Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement:
• Work with grant design teams to ensure alignment from development through implementation.
• Advise on applications during development and review, especially the MEL components.
• Engage with country teams, MEL experts, grantees, and strategic partners to promote adaptive, results-focused practices.
• Coordinate with the Independent Review Committee (IRC) on MEL and results expectations.

Note: The key responsibilities listed in this section are not exhaustive of the job responsibilities; other duties may be assigned consistently with the department’s needs.

3. Your Experience and Skills

Experience:

• Typically 12-15 years of relevant experience in global health, international development, or related sectors.
• At least 5 years in strategic leadership or senior roles in performance, accountability, or change management.
• Proven experience advising executive leadership on strategy, MEL, and organisational performance.
• Strong background in designing and implementing MEL frameworks, results tracking, and adaptive management.
• Familiarity with health measurement, impact modelling, standard indicators, and country data systems.
• Experience with risk and performance systems in grantmaking contexts, especially with multilateral or NGO/CSO partners.
  Qualifications:
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in public health, international development, public policy, finance, or related field.
  Technical Skills:
• Expertise in developing actionable theories of change and results frameworks.
• Proven ability to translate strategic goals into performance tracking tools and benchmarks.
• Skilled in negotiating and aligning stakeholders on shared accountability frameworks.
• Experience embedding continuous learning and adaptive practices across large portfolios.
  Languages:
• Required: Fluent in English.
• Desirable: Proficiency in French or another UN language.

4. How You Work (Behaviours and Mindsets)

• Strong political and cultural awareness with the ability to navigate complex institutional contexts.
• Collaborative leader with a track record of building cross-functional, high-performing teams.
• Strategic thinker who translates ideas into action and operational tools.
• Skilled communicator with experience influencing senior leaders, donors, and governments.
• Field and country-level experience in health systems or development (preferred).
• Committed to integrity, diversity, cultural sensitivity, and Gavi’s mission.5. Your Leadership
• One Gavi Mindset: Thinks and acts with Gavi and the Alliance best interest in mind, role models values and behaviours, fosters shared accountability, promotes and exhibits strong collaboration within and across departments.
• Agile Leadership: Adapts quickly to shifting contexts, guides teams through uncertainty, and drives decisions that balance long-term strategy with short-term responsiveness.
• Strategic-Pragmatic: Balances long-term vision with operational realities, translating strategy into clear, outcome-driven actions.
• Influence and Drive Change: Builds alignment and commitment among diverse stakeholders, driving progress through diplomacy, credibility, and shared purpose.
• Talent Development: Grows talent with an organisation-wide perspective, cultivates high-performing teams by setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and mentoring talent to thrive in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.

If you wish to apply, please provide a cover letter and resume through our Careers webpage and apply by clicking on ”Senior Specialist, Grant Effectiveness”. Deadline for applications is 28 November 2025.

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In support of Gavi’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, we hire globally and welcome applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, family status, sex, gender identity or expression, physical characteristics, race, religion, spirituality or sexual orientation. Gavi has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse as well as any form of discrimination or harassment. Everyone at Gavi is expected to conduct themselves with integrity and respect towards each other. Gavi is committed to creating a work environment that is safe and professional, therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference checks. Read more here.

Gavi brings together the public and private sectors to save lives and protect people’s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines against 18 infectious diseases. You will work in a culturally diverse environment with over 70 nationalities. You will collaborate with partners such as WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank – and from business, civil society and government. And you will work in the first global health organisation to receive equal gender salary certification. Your unique experience, skills and talents can help us achieve our vision of leaving no one behind without the life-saving power of vaccines.

Application instructions

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