Job Description

The role

We are currently looking for Senior Director, Strategic Alliances & Partnership based in Laos.

Role Purpose

The Senior Director, Strategic Alliances & Partnerships (Multi-Country) will provide senior leadership on behalf of the Country Directors and Regional Director to strengthen Save the Children’s external positioning, strategic alliances, and regional engagement across Multi-Country.

The role will act as a catalyst for building and advancing high-value partnerships and alliances, while also serving as a primary strategic adviser to Country Directors and the Regional Leadership Team (RLT) on external engagement, partnership positioning and strategic priorities.

Working closely with Country Directors and the RLT, the postholder will support strategic decision-making, prioritisation and positioning in relation to key partnerships, alliances, regional platforms and external stakeholders, ensuring that Country Offices are well-positioned within evolving external ecosystems.

This includes strengthening engagement with priority strategic accounts such as ECHO, World Bank and ADB, as well as regional and intergovernmental platforms including ASEAN, SAARC and the Mekong River Commission, and building strategic alliances with global, regional and private sector partners.

A central dimension of the role will be to build and steward strategic alliances, including advancing Save the Children’s global partnerships (e.g. Impact Alliance) at the regional level, while identifying and cultivating complementary alliances with regional actors and networks.

The role will also lead engagement with private sector advisory and consulting partners, including managing and expanding pro-bono partnerships with organisations such as Accenture Development Partnerships and Oliver Wyman, and exploring similar collaborations to bring in specialised expertise, innovation and strategic advisory support.

In addition, the postholder will lead engagement with academic and research institutions across the region, with a focus on South–South cooperation, technology transfer and applied knowledge partnerships, including with leading institutions in China, Thailand and Pakistan.

The role will lead the development and external positioning of regional platforms and multi-country initiatives, strengthening Save the Children’s ability to engage in larger, more strategic partnerships and collaborative programmes.

At a senior level, the post holder will represent Save the Children with key regional and global stakeholders, strengthening the organisation’s visibility, credibility and influence across Asia.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: TBD

Staff Reporting to this Post:

• Shared regional / sub-regional strategic initiative or partnership resources (TBC)
• Potential line management of multi-country initiative teams (as and when needed)

Budget:

• May oversee budgets linked to regional initiatives and partnerships (as assigned)

Key working relationships:

Internal

• Regional Director and Regional Leadership Team (RLT)
• Country Directors and Country SMTs
• Regional and global technical teams
• Advocacy, communications and policy colleagues
• Member Offices
• Regional and country partnership focal points

External

• Strategic accounts (World Bank, ADB, ECHO, EU)
• Regional bodies (ASEAN, SAARC, Mekong River Commission)
• Peer organisations
• Advisory and consulting firms
• Universities, think tanks and research institutions
• Private sector and foundation partners
• Regional policy and development platforms

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Ensure they fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and Local/Country Procedures.

Conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse.

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Regional Positioning (25%)

• Act as a senior advisor to the Regional Director, Country Directors and the RLT on partnerships, alliances and regional engagement priorities.
• Serve as a trusted strategic adviser to Country Directors and the RLT, supporting decision-making on external engagement, partnerships and alliances.
• Strengthen Save the Children’s positioning across Asia as a credible, solutions-oriented and collaborative partner.
• Support the development of a coherent regional approach to engaging with evolving external ecosystems.
• Align Country Offices, National Offices and Members around shared partnership priorities and engagement strategies.
• Translate regional and global trends into actionable partnership and positioning approaches.

Strategic Alliances and Partnership Development (25%)

• Lead the development and stewardship of high-value strategic alliances and partnerships across the region.
• Advance Save the Children’s global alliances at the regional level.
• Identify and cultivate new alliances with regional actors, networks and institutions.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships with priority strategic accounts including World Bank, ADB, ECHO and EU institutions.
• Advise Country Directors and the RLT on strategic partnership choices, alliance positioning and engagement approaches.
• Broker partnerships across Country Offices, Members and external stakeholders to support multi-country collaboration.

Advisory and Pro-Bono Partnership Management (15%)

• Lead and manage strategic relationships with pro-bono advisory partners, including Accenture Development Partnerships and Oliver Wyman.
• Identify and develop new partnerships with consulting, advisory and technical firms to secure pro-bono or co-invested support.
• Leverage these partnerships to:
  • strengthen programme and platform design
  • support innovation and product development
  • enhance strategic positioning and engagement
• Ensure effective coordination and utilisation of external expertise across regional priorities and initiatives.

Regional Platforms and Multi-Country Initiatives (20%)

• Lead the development and positioning of regional platforms and multi-country initiatives.
• Convene cross-country and cross-functional teams to develop scalable and partnership-ready propositions.
• Support initiatives in areas such as:
  • climate resilience and education systems
  • youth skills and workforce development
  • sustainable supply chains
  • care economy
• Provide strategic oversight and, where appropriate, line management of initiative teams.
• Ensure platforms strengthen partnerships, influence and long-term collaboration across the region.

Academic, Knowledge and South–South Partnerships (10%)

• Develop and strengthen partnerships with academic institutions, think tanks and research organisations.
• Promote South–South cooperation and knowledge exchange, including technology transfer and applied research.
• Prioritise engagement with institutions in China, Thailand and Pakistan, while building broader regional networks.
• Position Save the Children as a partner for innovation, research and policy engagement.

Communications, Visibility and Representation (5%)

• Strengthen Save the Children’s regional visibility through strategic engagement and positioning.
• Represent Save the Children in regional and global forums and partnerships.
• Provide strategic briefings, stakeholder mapping and engagement support to Country Directors and the RLT.

• Support preparation for high-level meetings, negotiations and partnership discussions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in international development, economics, public policy, business administration or related field.

Desirable

• Additional training or certification in development finance, partnership development or strategic management.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Essential

• Significant senior-level experience in partnerships, alliances, external engagement or related fields
• Demonstrated experience building and managing strategic partnerships and alliances
• Experience engaging institutional donors, MDBs, private sector or advisory firms
• Strong track record in influencing and relationship management at senior levels
• Experience leading complex, multi-country or multi-stakeholder initiatives
• Excellent communication, negotiation and representation skills
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate external trends into action

Desirable

• Experience in Asia and familiarity with regional institutions
• Experience working with consulting/advisory firms or managing pro-bono partnerships
• Experience engaging academic institutions and research partnerships

Experience with innovation, technology transfer or partnership-based programme models

Contract length: Fixed term (1 year with the possibility of extension)

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later.

Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.