Director of Partnerships and Advocacy Bicycle Relief

Location:

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

Reporting to:

Executive Director of Programs

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.

The Director of Partnerships & Advocacy will shape and lead the strategic direction of how W  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 W  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.

• Develop, lead, and oversee the execution of W ’s Partnerships and Influence Strategy to integrate bicycle mobility solutions into education, health, economic development, and climate/environment systems.
• Translate evidence from W ’s research and impact data into compelling partnership value propositions and strategic funding and influencing opportunities.
• Serve on W ’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 (Mar Comms) 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 W ’s values in external engagement—demonstrating collaborative leadership, evidence-based decision-making, and commitment to sustainable impact.
• Represent W  at strategic forums, and support country-level 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…