THE MERIEUX FOUNDATION
The Mérieux Foundation has been working independently in the service of global health since its creation in 1967. Recognized as a public utility, it specializes in the fight against infectious diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations in resource-limited countries.
The Mérieux Foundation’s actions are rooted in a commitment to strengthening local capacities, particularly in clinical biology, to improve surveillance, epidemic response, and access to healthcare. Working closely with communities to address their needs, the Foundation collaborates with local stakeholders in a spirit of partnership and networking, essential for mobilizing the skills and resources necessary to implement effective and sustainable initiatives.
It is particularly involved in the most impactful public health issues in its countries of operation, such as antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis, acute respiratory infections, HIV, and emerging pathogens.
Committed to a global health approach, the Mérieux Foundation integrates, beyond its expertise in biology, the main issues impacting access to care and the living conditions of populations in the countries where it operates. We operate directly in more than 25 countries around the world, in close collaboration with local stakeholders, allowing us to adapt our programs and actions to the realities on the ground and the needs of the populations.
By focusing on cross-cutting and international activities, we contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDGs #3 “Good Health and Well-being”, #4 “Quality Education”, #9 “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” and #17 “Partnerships for the Goals”.
Joining us means becoming part of a team of nearly 150 employees spread across 16 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, united around common values: international solidarity, commitment, expertise and collaboration.
In Africa, the Mérieux Foundation has:
- From a coordination team grouped within an Africa Office based in Dakar;
- From a West Africa Office which coordinates projects in Senegal, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Guinea Bissau (based in Dakar);
- From a Gulf of Guinea office which coordinates projects in Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Guinea Conacry (based in Lomé);
- From a Central Africa Office which coordinates projects in DRC, Burundi, Chad, CAR, Cameroon (based in Kinshasa).
GENERAL MISSION
Within the Africa Office of the Mérieux Foundation in Dakar, the Partnerships and Development Manager for Africa participates in the development of the Foundation and mobilizes funding for the implementation of the intervention strategy in Africa .
It maintains regular relations with Technical and Financial Partners in Africa and actively seeks funding.
At the request of Country Managers, Project Managers, Experts, he supports and coordinates the drafting of their project proposals in Africa.
It promotes the development and visibility of the actions of the Mérieux Foundation among its technical and financial partners.
MAIN ACTIVITIES AND TASKS
All the missions of the Partnerships and Development Manager for Africa will be carried out under the hierarchical supervision of the Regional Directorate and in close collaboration with the Partnerships & Development Directorates at headquarters.
He will also be able to work in functional links with the Country Office Managers and the Head Office Programme Management.
- Define and monitor the regional financing strategy in Africa, based on the Mérieux Foundation’s action plans in Africa (country and regional), and the Foundation’s overall roadmap to 2030
- Identify funding needs in the area in collaboration with the Africa team, Office Managers and the Partnerships & Funding unit at headquarters, and the Mérieux Foundation USA;
- Analyze donor strategies and the availability of funding in countries, in relation to the Foundation’s priority areas;
- Propose a relevant regional financing strategy (grant acquisition and resource mobilization strategy) and monitor it; propose adjustments based on new opportunities or evolving needs in the countries.
- Seeking funding
- Based on the thematic priorities of the Mérieux Foundation, actively seek national, regional and/or international funding and identify new donors or funding mechanisms in the countries;
- Support the Partnerships & Funding Unit at headquarters in the work of mapping donors and partners, and create donor/partner profile sheets in the countries of intervention of the Mérieux Foundation in Africa;
- Support for the development of project fact sheets and brochures to support institutional development throughout the year. And to propose a strategy to strengthen the Foundation’s visibility, including at key regional events.
- Coordinate the regional production of concept notes and project proposals
- Coordinate the drafting of country/regional project documents with all stakeholders (Foundation team and partners) to address regional opportunities with donors. Ensure the quality and compliance of produced documents with Foundation and donor standards;
- Coordinate the submission of concept notes and project proposals from the region within the deadlines imposed by the funders;
- Analyze new opportunities with the teams in Africa and after validation by the Africa team, submit them online, via the internal tool of the Mérieux Foundation, to Management for validation.
- Monitor contractual deadlines in the area
- In conjunction with Project Managers and managers in the area, update monthly the monitoring of regional donor contracts and monitor their reporting deadlines (interim and final reports);
- Update the International Operations Directorate’s internal bulletin every two months on projects currently being implemented and under development/discussion in Africa.
- Regularly update the Africa coordination team on the evolution of donor guidelines in the area;
- At the request of the Africa Directorate, to be in contact with grant managers at donor agencies to answer administrative questions related to certain reports.
- At the request of the Africa Directorate or the Heads of Offices (country and regional), represent the Mérieux Foundation at coordination meetings with Technical or Financial Partners.
Note: Additional tasks may be assigned to the Partnerships and Development Manager for Africa, depending on the workload and on the recommendation of the manager.
PROFILE & QUALIFICATIONS
- Holders of a postgraduate degree, Master’s level or equivalent, in the following fields: political science , development/international relations, public health, development project management
- Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in a similar position in an international organization (professional experience in resource mobilization, reporting, design and/or management of international projects).
- International work experience, preferably in Africa.
Required professional skills :
CM1: Mastery of project management tools (project cycle, logical framework, project proposal, reporting, etc.);
Year 6: Excellent written and oral development. Excellent analytical, synthesis and writing skills.
CM3: Knowledge of the donor environment in the field of health and decentralized financing mechanisms in Africa.
Languages: English/French required, both spoken and written.
- Required behavioral skills:
CC1: Adaptability and flexibility
CC2: Teamwork, cooperation, initiative
CC3: Dynamic, autonomous, rigorous
CC4: Skilled negotiator and proactive problem-solver
JOB REQUIREMENTS
– Fixed-term employment contract under Senegalese law for a period of one (01) year, renewable;
– Working hours: full time (40 hours/week);
– 100% health insurance coverage for the employee and their dependents.
– Total annual gross compensation package:
- Gross monthly salary (over 13 months): depending on experience and profile, around 1,500,000 CFA francs
- Performance bonus calculated on gross monthly salary (eligibility after nine (09) months of presence in the calendar year and paid in April).
How to apply
Applications (CV and cover letter) should be sent with the subject line “Head of Partnerships and Development Africa” to the following address before October 31, 2026 :
recruitment@humanitalents.com (please include the job title in the email reference).
Written tests and interviews will be conducted.