Vacancy Announcement 

Title: Director of Partnerships and Membership 

Contract type: Employee, Full time 

Contract Duration: Permanent 

Team: Partnerships and Membership 

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 

Location: Geneva, Switzerland (note: applicants are required to have the right to work in Switzerland) 

Application deadline: 31.05.2026, 23:00 CET 

Background 

The NCD Alliance (NCDA) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Geneva, Switzerland, dedicated to supporting a world free from preventable suffering, disability and death caused by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Founded in 2009, NCDA brings together a unique network of over 500 members in more than 90 countries into a respected, united and credible global civil society movement.  

NCDA also convenes a global network of national and regional NCD alliances in over 75 countries that unite the key NCD civil society organisations to drive forward advocacy on priority NCD issues, in particular with governments. As an alliance, we unite and combine the efforts of our global founding federations, members and partners on issues which together we can achieve more than any individual organisation can alone.  

The movement is unified by the crosscutting nature of common risk factors including unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol, tobacco use, air pollution and physical inactivity, and systems challenges which contribute to chronic NCDs such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, mental health conditions and neurological disorders.  

Over the last decade, NCDA has built a reputation as a global leader in NCD advocacy and policy with a track record in delivering results and grounding global advocacy in the reality of the local experience.  

Building on its technical knowledge on key NCD policy issues and its global network of experts to draw from, NCDA has also developed a unique expertise in supporting national advocacy via its flagship capacity development programmes.  

As a global alliance and membership-based organisation with a mission to unite and strengthen civil society to stimulate action on NCDs, partnerships have always been central to NCDA’s approach and work. NCDA’s vision, mission and organisational structure have strategically positioned the organisation to engage with a wide range of organisations which share its goals.  

NCDA partners with over 30 organisations that span multilateral agencies, governments, academia, foundations, and relevant private sector entities to further its ability to support the NCD community and drive impact on a global scale. As members of NCDA’s Supporters Group, NCDA partners have access to a range of benefits, including opportunities for coordination and engagement on global NCD issues and implementation strategies.  

More information about NCDA’s Supporters Group and partners can be found here. 

Job Purpose 

The Partnerships and Membership Director is responsible for leading and implementing NCDA’s partnership, business development and membership strategy and work. The Director will take responsibility for the growth and engagement of the membership and partnerships it currently has, bringing more in over time.  

The Partnerships and Membership Director will lead, manage and develop a team of four highly qualified and motivated individuals based across Geneva, London and Washington D.C. The Partnership and Membership Team is responsible for generating the total operational budget of NCDA, raise funds for the programmatic activities, support the delivery of some of the partnership activities, lead a stream of work on promoting multisectoral action and purpose-driven partnerships, and engage with its membership base around the world.  

The Partnerships and Membership Director will be part of the Senior Management Team of NCDA which has responsibility to drive the organisation forward, meeting the ambitions of the Board. The management team has significant autonomy and works with the Board in a positive way.  

This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in working for a respected civil society organisation, engaging with a diverse set of partners and members, with experience in partnerships, business development and stakeholder engagement. 

Duties and responsibilities of the Partnership and Membership Director will include: 

Strategy and Management 

• Lead NCDA’s partnership, business development and membership work, including working closely with the CEO to develop and implement the membership, partnership and fundraising plan to support NCDA’s goals and ambitions. 

• Lead, manage and develop the NCDA Partnership and Membership unit day-to-day activities, including managing four staff in Geneva, London and Washington DC.  

• Oversee the management of NCDA’s existing partnerships (currently 30, across multiple sectors), including stakeholder management, delivery of partnership agreements and reporting.  

• Manage the partnership and membership budget, as well as contribute to the annual budgeting and financial reporting process.  

• Play an active role in the leadership of NCDA as a member of the Senior Management Team.  

• Work closely with the CEO and other Directors to guide the organisation and ensure that NCDA is fulfilling its vision and mission, while adhering our values. 

• Support the CEO in NCDA Board matters when in relation to partnership and membership, including supporting the NCDA Board Sub-Committee on Partnership and Membership. 

• Represent NCDA at key global and regional events and conferences to promote NCDA and its mission.  

 Partnerships, Business Development and Membership 

• Work closely with the CEO to regularly review and define the funding model of NCDA and then to implement it effectively. 

• Develop the membership and partnership offer to be in line with NCDA’s long-term strategy. 

• Oversee and lead NCDA’s engagement with partners, including developing and renewing annual / multi-year partnership agreements aligned with NCDA’s 2021-2026 strategy and the annual  priorities defined across its Strategic Pillars. 

• Lead NCDA’s Supporters Group (the group of NCDA’s 30+ partners), develop annual bilateral plans and oversee the delivery of activities. 

• Lead partnership and membership monitoring, evaluation and reporting to assess impact, results and learning.  

• Develop, lead and manage outreach efforts to increase the membership and partnership baseline to achieve the goals set by the NCDA business plan, including overseeing mapping of strategic opportunities, developing concept notes, proposals and budgets for new partnerships and programmes. 

• Identify innovative business opportunities with NCDA’s partners and members. 

• Manage excellent relationships with NCDA members and partners including regular meetings, engagement with leadership of partners, regular surveys to assess baselines and progress. 

• Lead on the delivery of relevant partnership-led events, initiatives and knowledge products, in line with NCDA’s new strategy.  

• Understand the organisational financial needs and priorities to coordinate the fundraising requirements of other NCDA units (e.g. policy and advocacy; capacity development; communications). 

• Work in close collaboration with all NCDA units to drive NCDA’s membership and partnership strategy in line with the organisation’s priorities. 

• Maximise NCDA platforms and flagship initiatives to promote NCDA members and partners’ activities, including NCDA advocacy events, the annual Global Week for Action on NCDs campaign, the Global NCDA Forum or the Our Views Our Voices initiative. 

Skills and competencies  

• Advanced university degree in International Relations, Development Studies, or related field with a minimum of 10 years proven track record in leading partnerships, business development and fundraising at head/director level 

• Successful track record of relationship management, including securing multi-million grants and partnerships, for health-related NGO and membership organisations, preferably in the context of NCDs 

• Experience of securing partnerships with bilaterals, corporations, NGOs, Foundations and academia, and donor reporting. 

• Experience of organising donor cultivation and stewardship events, preferably at key health fora including WHA and UNGA 

• Experience of developing growth/business development strategies 

• Experience of fundraising for conferences and fora with attendance of 700-1000 people. 

• Experience of working directly with CEOs, Senior Management Team, and reporting to an NGO board. 

• Experience working with global advocacy alliances and international NGO network. 

• Knowledge of the global health / international development sector (and NCD sector a plus). 

• Strategic thinker – able to set out long term plans and execute on these. 

• Excellent negotiating and communication skills with the ability to influence partners across  sectors. 

• Ability to synthesize complex material accurately and communicate it to potential funders. 

• Team/line management experience (min. 4 people) and track record of working in teams to deliver against timelines. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a small, multicultural, dynamic team. 

• Excellent organizational skills; the ability to multi-task, learn quickly and work independently and productively in a fast-paced and detail-oriented environment. 

• Ability to work with people and organisations representing those living with NCDs. 

• Fluency in spoken and written English. 

• Project management qualifications such as PRINCE2 Practitioner or APMP 

• Availability for regular travel abroad. 

Diversity and inclusion are central to the way we work at the NCD Alliance. We are committed to cultivating a fair and healthy environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone.  

NCDA values 

Our work is underpinned by values which align with well-established principles of global health and sustainable development: 

• People-centred 

• Collaboration 

• Equity, diversity and inclusion 

• Accountability 

• Independence 

• Excellence and results driven 

Your application should include: 

• A cover letter (no longer than two pages) outlining how you meet the required experience and competencies, your right to work in Switzerland, and when you would be available for employment.  

• Your curriculum vitae (no longer than two pages), including two references. 

 How to apply 

• Please send your application to hr@ncdalliance.org and include “Partnerships and Membership Director” in the subject line of your email. 

• Application deadline: Sunday 31 May 2026, 23.00 CET.  

• We regret that we are only able to contact shortlisted candidates.