Application Guide

How to Apply for Global Lead, Gender Transformative Program

at ORBIS International

🏢 About ORBIS International

Orbis International is a unique nonprofit that operates in over 200 countries, focusing on eliminating avoidable blindness through sustainable eye care systems. Working here means contributing to a mission that directly transforms lives while advancing gender equity in a specialized global health context.

About This Role

This role leads the integration of gender equality and social inclusion across all Orbis programs globally, including the flagship Women Leaders in Eye Health initiative. It offers the opportunity to shape strategy, influence program design, and drive systemic change in a global health organization.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve a virtual meeting with a country team to review program designs for gender integration, followed by drafting a MEL framework for a new project. Afternoon could include a strategy session with global leadership on the WLEH initiative and reviewing a partner's proposal for gender-transformative activities.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for ORBIS International

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who ORBIS International Is Looking For

  • Proven expertise in gender-transformative approaches within global health or international development, with experience designing and implementing strategies across multiple countries.
  • Strong background in program design and MEL with a gender lens, including developing indicators and frameworks to track progress.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide global technical leadership and collaborate with diverse teams (country, regional, global) and external partners.
  • Passion for women's leadership and social inclusion, with experience leading initiatives like WLEH or similar programs.

📝 Tips for Applying to ORBIS International

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with gender-transformative programming, not just gender mainstreaming.

2

In your cover letter, reference Orbis's current gender strategy or WLEH initiative to show you've researched their work.

3

Use concrete examples of how you've integrated GESI into program design, MEL, and partnerships across multiple countries.

4

Mention familiarity with eye health or global health contexts, even if brief, to connect your expertise to their mission.

5

Quantify your impact: e.g., number of countries supported, indicators developed, or women leaders mentored.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your global leadership experience in gender-transformative programming and strategic direction-setting.', 'Highlight your ability to operationalize GESI across program cycles, from design to MEL.', "Show enthusiasm for leading the WLEH initiative and advancing women's leadership in eye health.", 'Demonstrate collaborative skills with country teams and external partners, as this role requires cross-cultural work.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Orbis's current gender strategy and any published reports on their gender work.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the Women Leaders in Eye Health (WLEH) initiative, including its goals and achievements.
  • → Understand Orbis's programmatic focus areas (e.g., child eye health, diabetic retinopathy) to see where gender integration is needed.
  • → Look into Orbis's partnerships (e.g., with local governments, WHO) and how they approach GESI.
Visit ORBIS International's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you update Orbis's Global Gender Transformative Programming Strategy? What key changes would you propose?
2 Describe a time you successfully integrated gender equality into a program in a challenging cultural context.
3 How do you ensure MEL frameworks effectively capture gender-transformative outcomes?
4 What approaches would you use to advance women's leadership in eye health, given resource constraints?
5 How do you handle pushback from country teams or partners on gender integration?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Treating gender as a checkbox or separate component rather than an integrated approach.
  • Lack of concrete examples of global leadership—vague claims without country-specific impacts.
  • Failing to connect gender work to eye health or global health outcomes specifically.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: May 31, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to ORBIS International!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →