Director of Partnerships and Advocacy

Position: Director of Partnerships and Advocacy

Location: Germany, Kenya, Malawi, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, or Zambia

Reporting to: Executive Director of Programs

About Us

World Bicycle Relief mobilizes communities in rural regions around the world to thrive with life-changing bicycles. We partner with communities to expand access to education, markets, healthcare and other essential services. With our purpose-designed Buffalo Bicycles, individuals in low-income regions are a force for change, unlocking pathways to new opportunities for themselves, their families and entire communities.

We are a mission-driven, global non-profit social enterprise that manages a highly refined bicycle supply chain from design through final distribution. World Bicycle Relief uses an innovative business model to create sustainable bicycle ecosystems. Through World Bicycle Relief's 501(c)3, we provide transport solutions to those who cannot afford them, and through Buffalo Bicycle Ltd, we sell the rugged Buffalo Bicycle and spare parts. Buffalo Bicycle Ltd also offers users repair and maintenance services via a retail network of shops and local mechanics. World Bicycle Relief has distributed over 950,000 fit-for-purpose bicycles and trained 4,000+ community-based mechanics. Girls with Buffalo Bicycles are 19% less likely to drop out of school; business owners see 53% more revenue; and health workers serve 63% more households.

Purpose of the Position

The Director of Partnerships & Advocacy will shape and lead the strategic direction of how WBR partners, advocates/influences, and positions itself in the global development sector. This position will advance strategic collaborations that expand bicycle access through government systems, multilateral institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector. The Director will lead in positioning WBR as the global authority on rural mobility and will seek to integrate bicycle transport into public policy, development programming, and financing mechanisms.

This is a highly collaborative, outward-facing role that blends strategic engagement, systems thinking, and coalition-building to catalyze sustainable, large-scale impact. This role also has a critical internal management and coordination function, bridging and aligning the (1) global partnerships and influence strategy with the (2) fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies, and (3) country-level partnerships and influence strategies.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Cross-functional Oversight

• Develop, lead, and oversee the execution of WBR’s Partnerships and Influence Strategy to integrate bicycle mobility solutions into education, health, economic development, and climate/environment systems.
• Translate evidence from WBR’s research and impact data into compelling partnership value propositions and strategic funding and influencing opportunities.
• Serve on WBR's global leadership team, contributing to organizational growth, learning, and representation.
• Coordinate the Partnerships and Influence Strategy’s integration and implementation across the organization at global and country levels, ensuring aligned, evidence-informed engagement and communications. This requires close collaboration with Development (fundraising), Partnerships and Business Development, and Impact & Learning as well as regional and country leadership. Liaise with the Marketing and Communications (MarComms) team as needed.
• Build internal capacity across operating countries for strategic partnerships and influence. Work with regional and country leadership to ensure their strategies are grounded in local realities and priorities while also connected to global strategies and opportunities.
• Model WBR's values in external engagement—demonstrating collaborative leadership, evidence-based decision-making, and commitment to sustainable impact.
• Represent WBR at strategic forums, and support country-level partnership development.

Partnership Development

• Build and strengthen strategic relationships with multilateral institutions (World Bank, UNICEF, Global Fund, UN agencies, Green Climate Fund) and leading international NGOs to embed bicycle mobility into large-scale development programs and financing mechanisms.
• Support WBR operating countries in strengthening relationships with ministries and other government partners to integrate bicycle mobility into strategies, plans, technical approaches and programs, budgets, and policies.
• Support the Development (Fundraising) team’s Managing Directors in identifying and cultivating high-priority funding relationships that support the Partnerships and Influence Strategy. These include philanthropic foundations, multilateral agencies, bilateral donors, and corporate partners aligned with WBR’s mission and values.
• Coordinate closely with the Development and MarComms teams to ensure partnership strategies are integrated into and aligned with fundraising priorities and external messaging.
• Provide strategic direction and design support to proposal development teams working to capture priority partnership and funding opportunities.

Advocacy

• Lead global engagement with policy networks, coalitions, and forums to advance the case for rural mobility and sustainable transport.
• Identify, oversee, and manage WBR representation at high-level policy dialogues, conferences, and advocacy platforms. In some instances, serve as the organizational representative at such events.
• Collaborate with the Impact & Learning Team to translate research (e.g., RCTs, cost-effectiveness studies, and country data) into policy-relevant insights.
• Partner with the Impact & Learning and MarComms teams on the development of thought leadership materials—policy briefs, op-eds, and global reports—to shape discourse on mobility and access.
• Support country leaders in developing country-level influence strategies and building the influencing capacity of their teams.

Representation and Thought Leadership

• Serve as a global coordinator for WBR team members who will speak on mobility, access and transport justice.
• Identify opportunities for WBR to contribute to global dialogue through publications, partnerships, and events.
• Strengthen WBR’s visibility as a leading voice on rural mobility, universal healthcare, equal opportunity for education, climate resilience, and equitable access.

Requirements

• 10+ years of senior leadership in international development, advocacy, development/fundraising, or systems change roles.
• Proven track record building and stewarding strategic partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions, foundations, or major bilateral donors that resulted in tangible systems change or integration
• Experience working with a product or service-based organization (ideally a social enterprise) rather than solely technical vertical programming—understanding how to position a tangible solution across multiple use cases and sectors
• Track record of designing and executing multi-stakeholder partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes. Plus experience supporting capacity building or strategic advising for country-level teams
• Demonstrated success translating evidence and research into policy influence, advocacy strategies, or institutional positioning
• Strong understanding of development systems and policy environments in Africa and/or Latin America.
• Experience leading proposal design and providing technical input for bilateral, multilateral, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities exceeding $1M.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and external representation skills. Including sophisticated relationship management and negotiation skills appropriate for engaging with senior government officials, multilateral executives, and foundation leaders
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to operate across cultures and geographies.
• Familiarity with social entrepreneurship, market-based approaches to development, or hybrid organizations that blend nonprofit and enterprise models
• Commitment to WBR’s mission and values.
• Willingness to travel globally (25–35%).

Core Competencies

Strategic Influence: Ability to connect WBR’s mission to global policy and investment agendas.

Collaborative Leadership: Builds trust and alignment across diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Evidence-Informed Action: Uses data and research to inform partnerships and policy influence.

Innovation & Adaptability: Thrives in dynamic, evolving environments.

Integrity & Accountability: Demonstrates ethical leadership and alignment with WBR’s values.

Work Location: Germany, Kenya, Malawi, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, or Zambia

WBR is a registered not-for profit in the USA (501c3), Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Australia. We have supported programs in 20 countries, and have country offices, staff, and assembly facilities in Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. WBR is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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