Government Relations Advisor, Africa

About the role

The Government Relations Advisor, Africa will lead regional exchange and high‑level partnership building for Vital Strategies’ Lead Poisoning Prevention Program across Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda and Tanzania. Reporting to the global team, the advisor will coordinate government engagement, align program activities with national priorities and represent the organization at regional forums.

Key responsibilities

• Facilitate regional exchanges, develop consistent government‑engagement strategies and build partnerships with ministries, regulatory bodies and regional institutions.
• Support project launches in new countries, including staff recruitment and translation of strategy into country‑level implementation plans.
• Identify and participate in regional events that elevate lead poisoning on national agendas and promote multisectoral collaboration.
• Manage relationships with regional organizations, coordinate work with national and international partners, and ensure alignment with global strategies.
• Represent Vital Strategies in regional meetings, technical forums, public hearings and governance bodies.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in public health, public policy, global health, environmental health or a related field.
• Minimum eight years of experience in government engagement and public‑health programming, preferably with health policy or environmental health focus.
• Proven ability to coordinate multi‑country initiatives and engage senior government and multilateral stakeholders.

Required skills

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook