Temporary Appointment: Polio Partnerships Manager (P-4), In UAE- Gulf Area Office for 12 Months

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For every child, the right to educate

 

Global momentum around polio eradication, child survival, and health system strengthening has intensified, highlighted by key events such as World Polio Day 2025 in New York and Goalkeepers Abu Dhabi 2025, where global leaders reaffirmed the urgency of finishing the job of polio eradication and reversing rising child mortality. At these events:

• Survivors, scientists, health workers, and youth leaders shared powerful testimonies underscoring the human impact of polio and preventable diseases.
• The UAE reaffirmed strong leadership and partnership, including a pledging event in December 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) announced US$1.2 billion, as part of a collective commitment by partners of US$1.9 billion in support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
• Leaders emphasized innovation, AI-driven health tools, maternal and newborn survival, and the moral imperative to eliminate polio—now 99.9% eradicated.

 

Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and through the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, the UAE has committed US$525 million since 2011, enabling the vaccination of more than 400 million children annually.

 

UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and the UAE Government continue to partner under a strategic agreement to accelerate polio eradication, strengthen routine immunization, and advance child survival. To ensure coherence, accountability, and strategic coordination, UNICEF seeks an experienced candidate to manage and monitor implementation of the partnership agreement.

 

 

 

How can you make a difference? 

 

Polio Programme's vision is to gradually transition donor stewardship and grant management of Gulf donors to GAO as part of a broader GPEI sunsetting strategy. This aligns with GAO’s plans to establish a strong Resource Mobilization function in Abu Dhabi given the recent $500M KSA and $140M UAE pledges to polio; and opportunities to tap into new funding from the MBZ Foundation around MNCH and innovations in public health delivery, including in supply.

 

Against this backdrop, the purpose of this temporary assignment is to manage current donor relationships to ensure effective allocation of resources and fulfilment of donor requirements; and explore additional funding opportunities in Gulf countries, relating to:

• Support to GPEI’s 2022–2029 Strategy
• Child survival and maternal health
• Innovation in public health delivery
• Resource mobilization, donor reporting, and visibility commitments

 

Under the supervision of the GGC Director, the staff will serve as the central coordination point across partners, ensuring that commitments—alignment, technical, financial, and visibility-related—are met in a timely, accurate, and strategic manner.

 

Objectives

 

1. Strengthen the relationship between UNICEF, BMGF, the UAE and Saudi Governments.
2. Ensure timely reporting on progress, risks, and performance indicators related to polio eradication, child survival, and immunization.
3. Support high-level engagement and stewardship with current and potential donors.
4. Enhance visibility of the partnership across media, events, and global advocacy platforms.
5. Ensure alignment between GPEI’s coordination mechanisms, i.e. Resource Mobilization Group (RMG) and Global Communications Group (GCG) and donor expectations.

 

Scope of Work a