Organisation   : THE DEFEAT-NCD PARTNERSHIP

Location          : Geneva headquarters, with occasional travel to programme countries.

Reporting to   : Head of the Partnership or designated executive.

Scope              : Technical coordination and oversight of Programmes across programming countries, working closely with country teams, the CFO and administrative colleagues.

ABOUT THE DEFEAT-NCD PARTNERSHIP

Launched as a 'public-private-people' partnership at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York on 24th September 2018 with the strong support of the World Health Organization, The Defeat-NCD Partnership was set up as the practical response to the widespread call for action on non-communicable diseases (NCD). The Partnership envisions universal health coverage for NCD.  To achieve that, the Partnership's core mission focuses on assisting low resource countries to scale-up action on NCD through: (i) national capacity building; (ii) community scale-up of NCD services; (iii) affordability and accessibility of essential NCD supplies; and (iv) financing for country-level NCD programming.

The Defeat-NCD Partnership (DNCD)has been hosted by the United Nations since its original set up, with an international mandate to include governments, multilateral agencies, civil society, academia, philanthropies, and the private sector. In 2023 it has been established as an independent organization headquartered in Geneva, in accordance with Articles 60 et sequent of the Swiss Civil Code.

The Partnership's current strategy's timeframe is up to 2030 as that is the universally agreed period for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Partnership's efforts are aimed specifically at SDG 3.4 i.e. the reduction by one-third of premature mortality from NCD through prevention and treatment.

NCD and poverty are strongly inter-connected, and the SDGs also drive the Partnership's principal values, especially that of equity through aiming to "leave no one behind" and proactively reaching out to the most needy and vulnerable.

The opportunity

The Defeat-NCD Partnership is seeking a medically qualified professional to help establish, strengthen and grow its emerging country programmes in the area of noncommunicable diseases. This is a practical, mid-career opportunity for someone who combines technical credibility with initiative, curiosity and enthusiasm for improving health services in resource-constrained settings.

The role offers the opportunity to shape programmes from an early stage, build trusted relationships and develop professionally as the organisation evolves. We seek someone motivated to make a sustained contribution to NCDs, areas that often struggle to attract adequate donor resources and policy attention.

Role purpose:

• Provide hands-on technical guidance and programme oversight to country teams, helping them deliver safe, effective and community-centred services.
• Improve programme quality and measurable results, strengthen staff capabilities, and develop practical opportunities for collaboration, funding and responsible programme growth.
• Combine clear follow-up on commitments with a supportive approach as mentor, adviser and problem-solver. Work closely with country colleagues and headquarters to connect programme priorities with the staffing, budgets and operational support required for delivery.

Key responsibilities:

• Country coordination and implementation
• Help country teams prepare realistic workplans, milestones and delivery targets.
• Hold structured reviews, normally every two weeks, to assess progress, constraints and opportunities;
• agree with actions, responsibilities and deadlines, and follow through.
• Resolve day-to-day programme challenges with country and headquarters colleagues, escalate significant risks promptly, and identify practical ways to strengthen existing services before expanding them.
• Undertake occasional country visits for technical review, staff support, stakeholder engagement and implementation follow-up.

 Technical quality and staff development

• Guide appropriate protocols, clinical pathways and quality standards for NCD screening, referral and follow-up, and adult and paediatric palliative care, aligned with national guidance and available resources.
• Assess clinical and technical staff competencies through recruitment inputs, case discussions, structured reviews and field observation.
• Provide practical coaching, identify training needs and arrange specialist support where required.
• Support countries’ leads to hold teams accountable for agreed standards and commitments while building confidence, teamwork and a culture of learning. Promote patient safety, safeguarding, confidentiality and respectful care.

Results evidence and innovation

• Work with country and data colleagues to establish useful set of indicators and strengthen data quality and use of the programme application.
• Track service delivery, referral completion and relevant patient outcomes.
• Regularly review research, clinical developments and emerging approaches. Assess their relevance, affordability and feasibility, and help teams test and adopt suitable improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve community engagement, access, continuity of care and programme reach. Share lessons across countries and document evidence to guide programme development.

Government relations and collaboration

• Build warm, professional and diplomatic relationships with ministries of health, referral facilities, implementing partners and other stakeholders; align implementation with agreed priorities and commitments.
• Represent the Partnership in delegated technical meetings, prepare clear presentations, and follow up on agreed actions.
• Proactively seek collaborations with like-minded organisations, universities, professional networks and potential supporters to bring technical expertise, referral capacity, funding or in-kind support to country programmes.

Resource mobilisation and communication

• Help develop a realistic pipeline of funding and partnership opportunities. Draft concept notes, proposals, results frameworks and programme narratives with country colleagues and management.
• Prepare timely donor progress reports and programme updates that clearly communicate verified results, challenges, lessons and next steps. Build a persuasive case for investment in NCDs and palliative care.

Budgets and operational coordination

• Develop and manage programme budgets with country teams and the CFO.
• Monitor expenditure, forecasts and variances alongside delivery, and recommend timely adjustments within approved authority.
• Work with finance, administration, HR and procurement colleagues to address staffing, equipment, supplies and other implementation needs.
• Ensure proposals and reports have consistent programme and financial information.

Working relationships and accountability

• Serve as the technical focal point for the country programmes, with functional responsibility for technical guidance, programme review and quality improvement.
• Country leads retain responsibility for local implementation and staff supervision under agreed reporting arrangements.
• Maintain clear action records and provide constructive feedback on programme and staff performance.
• Work within approved budgets and delegated authority, with the CFO responsible for financial controls.
• Refer material changes in programme scope, budgets and external commitments to the appropriate decision-maker.
• Use specialist advice where needed and respect local clinical responsibilities and professional authorisations.

Candidate profile

Essential qualifications and experience

• Medical degree from a recognised institution, with practical clinical experience and a sound understanding of NCD prevention, early detection, referral and management.
• Typically, five to eight years of relevant experience combining clinical or public health practice with health programme delivery, including responsibility for coordinating a project or multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working in a developing-country or resource-constrained health system, with the ability to adapt technical approaches to local capacity, culture and operational realities.
• Practical skills in workplanning, programme budgets, monitoring, interpretation of health data and preparation of clear reports.
• Ability to assess staff skills and provide constructive technical guidance.
• Experience engaging government counterparts and partners, and contributing to proposals, donor reporting or resource mobilisation.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with strong communication, presentation and relationship-building skills;
• willingness to work across countries and undertake occasional travel.

Desirable

• Postgraduate training in public health, NCDs, project management or a related field; experience in adult or paediatric palliative care;
• familiarity with African or South Asian health systems;
• French or a programme-country language;
• experience using digital health tools.

Personal qualities

An enthusiastic, resourceful and dependable professional who takes initiative, enjoys working closely with small teams and turns ideas into practical improvements. The successful candidate will combine empathy and cultural sensitivity with sound judgement, diplomatic confidence and the ability to challenge constructively. A clear commitment to underserved health priorities, continuous learning and a sustained contribution to an evolving organisation is important.

Note: The candidate should be eligible to work in Switzerland. Swiss or EU citizenship or a valid work permit for Switzerland at the time of application is a pre-requisite.

1. Remuneration: commensurate based on qualifications and relevant experience

APPLICATIONS

Send your CV and a motivation letter explaining how you think your skills and experience make you a strong candidate for this position to [email protected], with the subject line “Programme Lead (Non-Communicable Diseases)”

Deadline for applications: 31st December 2026. Applications received will be evaluated on a rolling basis and application submission for this position may close early if we have enough suitable applicants.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted