Senior Manager, Principal Communications & Strategic Engagements in London

Position Overview

The Executive Office is a dedicated strategic unit within Malala Fund that brings together the CEO Team and the Co‑Founders' Team as one integrated function under the leadership of the CEO. The Senior Manager, Principal Communications and Strategic Engagements leads all aspects of Co‑Founder and CEO‑specific external communications and high‑level stakeholder engagement, serving as the primary author of all communications, from keynote speeches to daily talking points and social media narratives.

Responsibilities

1. Content Development and Communications
   • Develop and deliver high‑quality speeches, talking points, social media content, op‑eds, and public statements for both Co‑Founders and the CEO.
   • Stays abreast of global events that could impact girls' education and gender equality debates.
   • Conduct deep‑dive research into policy, data and narrative angles to inform all written outputs, including reviewing academic literature, policy briefs, country‑level education data, UN and other multilateral reports and media coverage.
   • Develop and maintain a library of modular talking points, narrative frameworks and key messages that can be adapted rapidly for different audiences, contexts and platforms.
   • Support and shape the development of distinct but aligned public narratives for the Co‑Founders and CEO, ensuring messaging consistency across all channels and platforms.
   • Collaborate and coordinate with relevant Malala Fund teams to align Co‑Founder and CEO messaging with organisational campaigns and initiatives.
   • Prepare and/or contribute to comprehensive briefing packs for media interviews, panel discussions, keynote addresses and political meetings.
2. Strategic Engagements & Stakeholder Relations
   • Proactively identify, evaluate and recommend speaking, publishing, media and policy‑influencing opportunities for both Co‑Founders and the CEO across global platforms aligned with their interests and Malala Fund's strategic objectives.
   • Monitor the policy landscape to position the Co‑Founders and the CEO at the centre of key advocacy conversations on girls' education and gender equality.
   • In collaboration with the Executive Office, External Affairs team and the Pakistan and Nigeria Country teams, plan and execute Co‑Founder and CEO participation in major global forums, including the UN General Assembly, the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the World Economic Forum, G7/G20 events and education summits.
   • Coordinate with Malala Fund's Development team to support donor‑facing engagements involving the Co‑Founders and/or CEO.
3. Strategic Planning & Coordination
   • Contribute to the development of quarterly and annual Co‑Founder and CEO external engagement strategies.
   • Monitor global policy developments and media trends relevant to girls' education and gender equality, and advise both the Chief of Staff to the Co‑Founders and the Chief of Staff to the CEO on emerging opportunities or risks.
   • Manage a calendar of key advocacy moments and ensure proactive positioning of the Co‑Founders and CEO.

Organisational Values

• Upholds the values of Malala Fund.
• Actively contributes to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
• Maintains the highest standards of safeguarding and professional conduct.
• Demonstrates discretion, diplomacy, and responsiveness.
• Models transparency and serves as a resource across the organization.
• Promotes a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Equal Opportunity & Safeguarding

Malala Fund is an equal opportunity employer and inclusive organization that welcomes employees from under‑represented and intersectional communities including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and persons with disabilities. We seek people with diverse backgrounds, cultures, ages, experiences and identities to provide a wide range of perspectives, ideas, views and insights into the strategy, policies, culture and ambitions of Malala Fund. Malala Fund is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the safety and dignity of all of those involved in our work. Our first priority is protecting everyone who comes in direct or indirect contact with our organization, including staff, partners, grantees, and the communities in which we work. Malala Fund has a zero‑tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, harassment, or discrimination of any kind by any of our staff, representatives or partners. We commit to ensuring that those who work with Malala Fund or on our behalf are able to work in an environment that is safe, respectful, and free from harm. To uphold this commitment, Malala Fund reserves the right to conduct background checks on prospective and current employees.

Qualifications

• Strong experience (typically 7+ years) in advocacy communications, strategic engagement, public affairs or political advisory roles within international NGOs, multilateral organisations or government.
• Exceptional speechwriting and strategic communications skills, with a portfolio of high‑profile work.
• Proven ability to manage relationships with public figures, senior government officials, diplomats, corporate leaders and civil society at global level.
• High emotional intelligence, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics, build trust quickly, and respond thoughtfully in high‑pressure or sensitive situations.
• Deep understanding of the global education and gender equality policy landscape.
• Experience preparing principals for high‑stakes media, political and public engagements.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple workstreams under pressure.
• A hands‑on, adaptable working style, comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, and willing to take on logistical or administrative tasks as needed in a lean team environment.

Nice to Have

• Prior experience supporting a Nobel Laureate, Head of State, UN Principal or equivalent public figure.
• Experience working across UN, G7/G20, Commonwealth or African Union advocacy processes.
• Fluency in Urdu or Pashto.
• Experience with digital advocacy and social media strategy for high‑profile individuals.

Travel

Extensive travel required – at least 35‑40% of time, including advance trips and accompanying Co‑Founders on all major domestic and international engagements.

Our Mission

Malala Fund advocates for resources and policy changes needed to give all girls a secondary education, invests in local education leaders and amplifies the voices of girls fighting for change. Learn more at malala.org.