Application Closing Date
15th October 2026 ***Please note: Nexus is open to providing visa support and relocation for this role to be based in Geneva, Switzerland***
Context of Role
The Program Officer will play a central role in supporting the Nexus Secretariat and its Members by strengthening outreach and engagement in Geneva. The role will support key convenings, communications, and joint statements, and contribute to the Secretariat’s overall strategy and effectiveness.
Role Purpose
The Nexus Initiative is a government-owned, cross-regional initiative of like-minded governments committed to defending and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including its strong links to gender equality, at the United Nations (UN). The Nexus Initiative is supported by a small Secretariat that is independently hosted at the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
Deliverables
The Program Officer will work closely with the Senior Political Advisor (Geneva), providing support on the following activities:
Outreach:
- Support the Nexus Members with their outreach efforts and help to ensure the outreach work of Nexus is accurately captured and communicated across the Nexus Membership.
- Support Members to convene Ministerial Roundtables, Ambassadorial Roundtables, and meetings.
- Support the onboarding new and existing Nexus Members, and capacity strengthening ahead of key moments and topics.
- Support with outreach to countries via the UN permanent missions and capital colleagues, as needed.
- Support on the development and successful mobilization of cross-regional joint statements around key UN moments.
- Provide support on special projects.
Political Analyses & Advocacy
- Analyze opportunities and risks to the SRHR agenda by analyzing global, regional, and UN processes, particularly UN80 and the implications for SRHR within global health architecture reform processes.
- Collaborate with colleagues on the monitoring, recording, and analyses of voting records and country positions that will inform the outreach strategy.
- Collaborate with colleagues to monitor and provide language guidance to Nexus Members around key UN fora.
- Collaborate with the Director of Nexus and the Senior Political Advisor on the creation and implementation of advocacy strategies for key priority moments throughout the year.
- Draft materials for political advocacy and negotiations, including, but not limited to technical briefings, background documents, key messages, talking points, negotiation strategies, and other tools.
- Advance engagement with civil society partners, UN agencies, and diplomatic missions on SRHR advocacy.
- Forge relationships with key stakeholders and share information/intelligence on political developments in a timely and strategic way.
- Represent Nexus at meetings with relevant stakeholders, as needed.
Secretariat Operations
- Collaborate with the team to develop the annual workplans.
- Facilitate the operationalization of the annual workplan.
- Manage meeting preparations and reports with Members, Working Groups, and external stakeholders.
- Support planning of the annual retreat including logisitical support, agenda support, pre-read development, supporting to facilitate some sessions, and retreat reporting.
- Support with monitoring key indicators for donor reports and support in the development of donor reports.
- Support with vendor management systems.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Expertise
- Proven track record of working in the international development sector for a not-for-profit organization, UN agency, or a government on topics relating to:
- SRHR
- Global health
- Gender equality
- Proven experience working with diplomats and high-level officials, UN agencies, and/or CSO partners is desirable.
- Proven experience in synthesizing information and communications for diverse audiences. Background in drafting advocacy related materials is desirable.
- Experience and familiarity with multilateral negotiations and diplomatic protocol matters related to the United Nations in Geneva and New York.
- Strong experience working in or within human rights and global health contexts related to the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), African Region (AFRO), and/or South-East Asia Region (SEARO).
- Experience supporting and monitoring the following areas:
- Multilateral negotiations,
- Global health or human rights initiatives and development,
- Policy analysis,
- Voting records on UN resolutions
- Background in supporting Monitoring Evaluation and Learning, and donor reporting is desirable.
- Experience working flexibly as part of a global team across multiple time zones.
Essential Skills
- Sound judgement and integrity in exercising diplomatic discretion and maintaining confidentiality.
- Advanced planning and organisational skills with a focus on timeline management, stakeholder meetings, and resource coordination.
- Project management skills.
- Fluent English speaker. Proficiency in at least one UN official language is highly desirable, especially Arabic and French.
- Problem solver with the ability to come up with creative solutions.
- Ability to meet multiple, overlapping, and tight deadlines whilst under pressure.
- A willingness to learn and be open to new ideas/ways of working.
- Willingness and availability to take part in limited travel internationally as the role requires
Desirable Skills
- At least 2 years of experience working on multilateral engagement with UN agencies and member states, especially in Geneva or New York contexts.
- Experience supporting high-level diplomatic outreach in Geneva or New York.
- Experience working on issues related to SRHR, gender equality, human rights, global health, or humanitarian work..
- Highly preferred candidates from Africa, Asia, or the MENA region so the Secretariat Team in Geneva can better reflect the current/aspired Nexus Membership composition
- Fluent in English, + very strong language skills in another UN language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, or Mandrin) highly preferred.
