Head of International Medical Partnership (M/W)

Описание

The Head of the International Medical Partnership is responsible for providing strategic leadership, vision, and overall coordination of Ukraine’s international medical collaborations. The role requires high-level engagement with government stakeholders, international donors, and implementing partners to ensure a structured and efficient process of partnership development and implementation. The incumbent will oversee strategic planning, resource mobilization for partnership activities, project implementation, and monitoring of the initiative's impact on healthcare system recovery and development.

Description of the assignment

The Head of the International Medical Partnership will work directly with the Ministry of Health and the Office of the First Lady. The role requires a highly experienced professional to provide strategic direction and high-level representation.

1.    Strategic Leadership

·        Define and oversee the strategic direction of the International Medical Partnership Initiative.

·        Ensure alignment of international partnerships with Ukraine’s national healthcare strategies and reforms.

·        Represent the initiative in discussions with governments, multilateral organizations, and global health leaders.

·        Provide thought leadership on international collaboration, resilience, and crisis response.

2.                High-Level Partnership Development

·        Cultivate and manage relationships with partner countries, international organizations, and donor institutions.

·        Negotiate and oversee memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and long-term institutional partnerships.

·        Facilitate opportunities for strategic engagements with the First Lady of Ukraine, senior government officials, and key stakeholders.

·        Identify and leverage new opportunities for expanding the network of partnerships.

3.    Program Oversight & Coordination

·        Provide strategic guidance and oversight for operational teams working on international projects.

·        Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms are in place to track impact.

·        Oversee major events, conferences, delegation visits, and trainings connected to the initiative.

·        Support capacity building in Ukrainian institutions to ensure sustainability of partnerships.

4.    Advocacy & Communication

·        Serve as the principal spokesperson for the International Medical Partnership Initiative.

·        Shape and deliver key messages to international audiences, highlighting Ukraine’s healthcare resilience and innovation.

·        Supervise development of communication products, storytelling campaigns, and international outreach.

·        Strengthen visibility of Ukraine as an active and effective partner in the global health community.

Place, duration and terms of performance

1)     Implementation period: 12 months

2)     Location: The expert is expected to be based in Kyiv, Ukraine, attend MoH office (approximately 40 hours per week), with potential travels to the regions and internationally if needed.

3)     Number of experts per assignment: 1

Assignment reports

A report following the model provided must be forwarded by e-mail on conclusion of the assignment: it must correspond with the deliverable summary analytical report.

Deliverables

The expert shall provide the following deliverables:

        1.        1. Guide on Successful International Collaboration

•      Develop and present a comprehensive practical guide on how international cooperation in the healthcare sector becomes successful, including practical tools, case studies, and recommendations.
•         Disseminate the guide among Ukrainian healthcare institutions and international partners.

        2.      2.   Online Presentation of the International Medical Partnership Initiative

•        Organize and deliver an online event introducing the International Medical Partnership (IMP) to Ukrainian medical institutions.
•         Ensure participation of partner hospitals, international stakeholders, and government representatives.

        3.       3.  Branded Materials and Merchandise for the Initiative

•    Oversee the design and production of branded merchandise to strengthen the identity and visibility of the International Medical Partnership Initiative.
•        Distribute materials during events, trainings, and official meetings.

        4.      4.  Regional Trainings for Ukrainian Healthcare Institutions

•        Organize and conduct two regional trainings for representatives of Ukrainian hospitals participating in the IMP (in two different oblasts).
•         Training modules to include:

o   Effective international cooperation practices

o   Negotiation skills

o   Conflict resolution strategies

o   Business English for international partnership work

        5.      5.   Capacity-Building and Reporting

•         Collect feedback from participants and prepare a summary report with recommendations for strengthening future international medical

Context and justification of the need

Expertise France is the French international technical cooperation agency, with the status of public institution under the joint supervision of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEFA) and the Ministries of Economics and Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. It is the second largest technical cooperation agency in Europe. Expertise France designs and implements projects that strengthen public policies over the long term in developing and emerging countries.

Over the years, Expertise France has built up a relationship of trust with its partner administrations as well as governmental representatives and stakeholders. In the response to the existing situation and challenges, France has launched a coordinated assistance to Ukraine with a key component on the health sector, through the projects integrated within Expertise France’s Ukraine Health program. 

The APPUI project financed by the Crisis Center of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs is a multisector technical assistance aiming to improving Ukrainian populations' access to essential healthcare services in times of crisis. The project’s three main pillar are as follows:

1.      Mobilization of French expertise, particularly in priority care sectors (cancer, mental health, physical and rehabilitation medicine), and coordination of Franco-Ukrainian hospital cooperation;

2.      Rehabilitation and modernisation of healthcare facilities;

3.      Provision of specialized medical equipment for selected healthcare facilities.

The REHAB project financed by the French Development Agency is a continuity of the APPUI project with a focus on Odesa region and support to national healthcare authorities specifically designed around Mental Health and Physical Rehabilitation. The project’s three main pillar are as follows:

1.      Construction and modernisation of healthcare facilities along with donation of medical equipment;

2.      Mobilisation of French expertise, Private-Public partnerships, provision of technical assistance;

3.      Implementation of feasibility studies for the design of loans by AFD in the healthcare sector.

Expertise France is a key partner of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, working together towards responding to emergencies, recovery and reconstruction of the health system in the aftermath of recent challenges caused by full scale Russian invasion in priority sectors such as healthcare coordination and reforms. The war in Ukraine has significantly impacted the country’s healthcare infrastructure, necessitating coordinated, strategic, and well-managed efforts to restore health services and facilities. The International Medical Partnership, an initiative led by Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska, has been at the center of fostering crucial horizontal cooperation between Ukrainian and foreign healthcare institutions, facilitating vital knowledge exchange, and strengthening global medical ties. This initiative is key to mobilizing international support, sharing expertise, and enhancing the quality of healthcare services in Ukraine.

France has emerged as a priority country for medical partnership with Ukraine, demonstrating a robust effort to bolster Ukrainian healthcare amidst challenging circumstances. Under the International Medical Partnership program, the Ministry of Health of France and Expertise France financed 14 hospital partnership programs in 2023-2024. This extensive collaboration encompasses a wide range of medical specialties and involves active engagement of French medical facilities in knowledge exchange, training programs, and direct clinical interventions in Ukrainian hospitals.

Expertise France and the Ministry of Health are seeking to engage a dedicated expert to serve as the Head of the International Medical Partnership Initiative. This role works directly with the Ministry of Health and under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine, and is critical for providing strategic leadership and vision to ensure the sustainability and growth of Ukraine’s international medical collaborations. The Head will act as both the face and the driving force of the initiative, representing Ukraine on the global stage, cultivating high-level relationships, and ensuring that partnerships are impactful, results-driven, and aligned with national healthcare priorities.

Qualifications and skills:

-        7+ years of experience in international relations, global health, or diplomacy, with demonstrated leadership responsibilities.

-        Strong record of designing and managing international partnerships and cross-border collaborations.

-        Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in Ukrainian and English; additional languages an asset.

-        Proven ability to represent institutions at a high diplomatic level, including with government, donors, and multilateral organizations.

-        Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable initiatives.

-        Demonstrated resilience and adaptability in complex and high-pressure contexts.

-        Strong organizational skills and ability to oversee multiple complex projects simultaneously.