Senior Programme Officer – Gender Equality & Strategic Initiatives

The Senior Programme Officer, Gender Equality & Strategic Initiatives will join an international organisation that tackles global health, gender equality and community engagement. The short‑term consultancy, based in Geneva, provides maternity‑cover from 14 October to 31 December 2026 and focuses on closing out a private‑sector‑funded catalytic fund while preparing the next programme phase. Day‑to‑day work centres on four streams. First, the officer will help community partners finish pending programmatic and financial tasks, review final reports and process last payments, and oversee one partner‑agreement extension. Second, they will gather evidence, lessons and results from the current phase, ensure documentation is accessible, and support the dissemination of findings. Third, they will lead operational set‑up for the upcoming phase, managing RFPs, technical evaluation panels and due‑diligence steps. Finally, they will coordinate the Steering Committee, prepare agendas and briefing notes, track decisions, and keep donors and internal teams informed of progress, risks and budgets. The role requires a university degree in public health, business administration, public administration, social sciences or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience. Candidates must have proven experience with international programme mechanisms such as RFPs, contracting, finance and grant or catalytic‑investment processes, as well as solid project‑management background that includes handling partners, budgets, timelines, risks and deliverables. Strong organisational, coordination and communication abilities, coupled with problem‑solving skills, are essential. The applicant should be comfortable juggling multiple priorities, keeping complex processes on schedule under tight deadlines, managing stakeholder relationships and working independently in a fast‑moving environment. Fluency in English is mandatory. Experience working with community organisations on health, social impact or development programmes is valued, and French language skills are considered an advantage. The position offers the chance to contribute to a high‑visibility fund at a pivotal moment, collaborate with a diverse set of donors, civil‑society actors and internal experts, and help shape the next phase of a strategic gender‑equality initiative. What the role asks for: - University degree in relevant field or equivalent experience - Experience with international programme processes (RFPs, contracts, finance) - Strong project‑management, organisational and stakeholder coordination skills - Proven ability to manage budgets, timelines, risks and deliverables - Excellent coordination, communication and problem‑solving abilities - Ability to work independently under tight deadlines - Fluent English (essential) - French language proficiency (nice-to-have)