Role purpose

The Advisor reports directly to the Director General and operates independently of programmatic teams. He/She will provide senior-level strategic counsel to the Director General, supporting the Foundation’s long-term direction, institutional positioning, leadership priorities and external engagement. The role acts as a confidential thought partner, bringing independent judgement, sector insight and constructive challenge to complex decisions. It is intended to strengthen executive-level reflection, strategic coherence and leadership effectiveness, rather than manage day-to-day implementation.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Advisory to the Director General

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Director General on matters relating to MBZFH’s mission, institutional priorities, portfolio direction and long-term impact.
• Provide independent judgement, constructive challenge and senior counsel on complex strategic decisions, emerging opportunities and areas of institutional risk.
• Guide and support the Director General assess key decisions by clarifying trade-offs, sequencing, priorities and institutional implications.

Institutional Strategy and Portfolio Direction

• Contribute strategic insight to leadership discussions on partnerships, portfolio evolution, organisational development, governance engagement and institutional priorities.
• Provide senior-level input on major initiatives, strategic reviews, special projects and cross-cutting questions requiring Director General attention.

External Positioning and Senior Stakeholder Engagement

• Advise on MBZFH’s positioning within the global philanthropy, health and inclusive development landscape, including opportunities to strengthen its influence, credibility and contribution.
• Support the Director General in shaping high-level engagement with government entities, philanthropic institutions, multilateral organisations, global health and development partners, and other senior stakeholders.
• Prepare the Director General for high-level speaking engagements, official visits, summits and senior stakeholder meetings, including talking points, briefing notes, remarks and other strategic materials.

Political, Geopolitical and Sector Insight

• Help identify emerging trends, risks and opportunities across philanthropy, global health, inclusive development and humanitarian action that may inform the Foundation’s direction.
• Track the political and geopolitical environment relevant to MBZFH’s mandate and advise on implications for institutional positioning, partnerships and leadership engagement.

Governance and Executive Judgement

• Support Board and governance-related preparation, including materials for Board meetings, trustee engagement and other governance discussions requiring Director General involvement.
• Bring external perspective, discretion and political sensitivity to sensitive institutional, stakeholder and leadership matters.
• Act with the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity and judgement in all interactions on behalf of, or in support of, the Director General.

Profile

Experience and Expertise

• At least 10 years’ senior-level experience in strategy, advisory, philanthropy, global health, international development, government, multilateral institutions, consulting or mission-driven organisations.
• Strong understanding of philanthropy, global health and/or international development ecosystems, including the role of foundations in shaping partnerships, influence and impact at scale.
• Demonstrated credibility advising senior executives, boards, government leaders, philanthropic leaders, heads of state, UHNW donors or equivalent senior decision-makers on complex strategic, political or institutional issues.
• Desirable experience includes having previously led a relevant organisation, foundation, programme, institution or major initiative, or having served as a member of an Executive Leadership Team with responsibility for organisational direction, strategy, partnerships or institutional impact.
• Excellent strategic judgement, analytical capability and ability to synthesize complex information into clear, balanced and actionable advice.
• Strong external orientation, with the credibility and judgement to engage senior stakeholders across cultures, sectors and institutional contexts.
• High levels of discretion, integrity, political sensitivity and emotional intelligence, with experience working on confidential or sensitive leadership matters.
• Ability to take a long-term, institution-wide view while understanding the practical implications of strategic choices.
• Experience working with organisations at a formative, transitional or scale-up stage would be advantageous.

Languages

• Fluency in English is essential. Arabic language skills would be a strong advantage. 

Terms of Appointment

• This is a two-year renewable contract. 

Role Location

• The role is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with some travel.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please ensure you complete the Application Form provided below by 14 September 2026 (23:59 hrs, GMT +4). It is essential that you submit your CV in English, specifically in Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx), not exceeding 10MB.

Applications in other languages or formats will not be considered.

Rest assured, all information will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

SRI Executive is exclusively retained by the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity to undertake this assignment.