About Global Citizen
Global Citizen is a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty. On our platform, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on these issues, and earn rewards for their actions as part of a global community committed to lasting change. Global Citizens have taken over 42.9 million actions since 2009. Today, these actions, in combination with high-level advocacy work, have led to over $49 billion being distributed to our partners around the world, impacting 1.3 billion lives in the fight to end extreme poverty.
In Japan, Global Citizen is focused on strengthening long-term partnerships with government, civil society, business, and philanthropic leaders to contribute to Japan’s global leadership on sustainable development and international cooperation.
Objective
Provide market advisory support to strengthen Global Citizen’s presence and partnerships in Japan by facilitating strategic stakeholder engagement, supporting multi sector collaboration, and aligning Japan based opportunities with Global Citizen’s maternal, newborn, and child health priorities. The Consultant will offer local insight, relationship facilitation, and strategic guidance to help advance sustained engagement, contribute to enabling conditions for improved MNCH Maintain tracking of stakeholder engagement activities and outcomes within Global Citizen systems as required.
Support coordination of Japanese business and foundation participation in meetings, outcomes, and support movement development in Japan across health policy, financing, and delivery.
The successful candidate will bring deep familiarity with Japan’s consensus based policy environment and be comfortable operating through relationship stewardship, strategic alignment, academia, civil society, and the private sector, with a focus on coordinated action, credible commitments, and sustained engagement over time.
Key Responsibilities
The objective of this consultancy is to establish Global Citizen’s lasting presence in Japan and advance a Japan anchored contribution to maternal, newborn, child health and global education by:
- Supporting engagement with Japanese government institutions and decision makers relevant to Global Citizen’s education, MNCH, and broader health advocacy priorities, including education financing, health financing, primary health care, immunization, nutrition, and resilient health systems
- Translating global health and Mothers and Children Survival (MCS) priorities into compelling public narratives that resonate with a diverse range of Japanese audiences
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with Japanese civil society, businesses, foundations, research institutions, and cross-sector partners (including UN agencies, academia, and cultural influencers) to mobilize coordinated coalitions and multi-year collaborative initiatives that strengthen education systems, improve MNCH outcomes, and demonstrate broad support for global health investment and Mothers & Children Survival (MCS).
- Contributing to the development and implementation of policy engagement and partnership strategies tailored to Japan’s consensus based political environment and cultural context, translating Global Citizen’s education and MNCH agenda into credible, locally resonant policy and partnership pathways
- Supporting the delivery of high impact, public facing advocacy moments in Japan that elevate education and MNCH leadership, spotlight concrete outcomes for children and families, and align with Global Citizen’s global campaigns and movement building goals.
- Ensuring strategic alignment across Global Citizen, Action Network, and the Gates Foundation Japan team. Integrate advocacy, communications, and government engagement into a unified execution plan.
Project Deliverables
Government and Policy Engagement:
- Establish and maintain strategic communication channels with the Office of the Japanese Prime Minister, relevant central government ministries, and selected prefectural and city governments, cultivating trusted relationships with key leaders and stakeholders and strengthening alignment between Japan’s global development priorities, global health ODA, and Global Citizen’s campaign goals.
- Develop and support implementation of a Japan-focused policy and advocacy strategy aligned with Global Citizen’s global priorities, with education as an umbrella and particular focus on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), resilient health systems, primary health care, immunization, nutrition, and health financing, including clear pathways for Japan-aligned commitments, partnerships, and financial contributions.
- Lead government-facing narrative development and event production, manage political sensitivities, and coordinate quarterly policy stakeholder engagements—including meetings, briefings, roundtables, and related convenings—that build long-term institutional buy-in and advance shared priorities in close collaboration with the Gates Foundation Japan team.
Civil Society and Institutional Network Building
- Build relationships with at least 25 Japanese NGOs, academic institutions, or advocacy networks aligned with Global Citizen’s thematic priorities.
- Support the development of a coordinated local partner network, contributing to the onboarding or engagement of at least 10 civil society partners.
- Convene and coordinate Japanese civil society participation for meetings, roundtables, and public facing moments during the contract period.
Youth Engagement and Influencer Strategy
- Proactively identify and advance youth and emerging audience engagement opportunities in Japan—focusing on where culture, creators, and community influence intersect—while developing and executing impactful social media and integrated communications campaigns that leverage digital platforms to mobilize visible, high-volume public support for global health investment and Mothers & Children Survival (MCS).
- Work closely with Global Citizen’s Talent team to identify and support engagement with artists, influencers, cultural leaders, and creative voices aligned with campaign priorities.
- Support coordination of talent, influencer, artist partner engagements, including introductions, briefings, or participation in Global Citizen initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement and Fundraising Support
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential institutional, private sector, and philanthropic stakeholders in Japan, identifying and cultivating at least 10 priority partners.
- Provide stakeholder briefings and market insights to support Global Citizen’s engagement strategy in the Japanese market.
- Maintain tracking of stakeholder engagement activities and outcomes within Global Citizen systems as required.
- Support coordination of Japanese business and foundation participation in meetings, roundtables, and public facing moments linked to Global Citizen’s activities in Japan.
Requirements For Success
- Demonstrated experience engaging with Japanese government institutions, policymakers, or public sector stakeholders
- Strong familiarity with Japan’s civil society, advocacy, and development landscape
- Established network across Japanese NGOs, policy institutions, or academic communities
- Experience supporting policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and public-facing campaigns
- Fluency in Japanese and English, written and spoken
- Strong research, organizational, and analytical skills
- Ability to manage multiple workstreams, meet deadlines, and operate independently
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and cultural fluency