Job vacancy: Executive Director, the Global Video Game Alliance (GVGA)

The Role

Trade associations (the “Associations”) representing the video game industry (the “Industry”) in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia are seeking to appoint an Executive Director of the Global Video Game Alliance (GVGA)  that represents the Industry on digital health issues before the World Health Organization and other agreed upon Intergovernmental Organizations and Geneva-based permanent missions. The position is Geneva based, or would regularly travel to Geneva.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director will be responsible for the following:

• Advocacy and Engagement:
  • Serve as the main point of contact on digital health issues for the GVGA with the WHO and other agreed upon Intergovernmental Organizations and Geneva-based permanent missions.
  • Represent the GVGA on digital health issues in meetings involving the WHO and other agreed upon Intergovernmental Organizations and Geneva-based permanent missions.
  • Regularly engage and develop strong relationships with the WHO and other agreed upon Intergovernmental Organizations and Geneva-based permanent missions to educate and inform about the video game sector and its commitment to healthy and responsible gameplay.
  • Coordinate and lead the positioning of the GVGA on digital health issues vis-à-vis the WHO and other agreed upon Intergovernmental Organizations and Geneva-based permanent missions, working with the associations, key constituents and partners on messaging, crisis and issues management and thought leadership campaigning both internally and externally as appropriate.
  • Coordinate and lead physical or virtual industry conferences or other events on digital health issues involving the WHO and other agreed upon Intergovernmental Organizations and Geneva-based permanent missions, and advise the Steering Committee on events that the Associations should organise through the GVGA.
  • Partner and liaise with associations in and representatives for other industries and organisations engaged in Geneva on digital health issues and build or participate in ad hoc coalitions, where appropriate.

• Strategic Advice and Execution:
  • Inform the GVGA of any relevant events, other activities, and policy developments involving the WHO and Intergovernmental Organizations and Geneva-based permanent missions by providing summary reports and alerts to the Steering Committee (inform on Executive Board meetings of the relevant organizations, General Assemblies, other relevant meeting agendas, etc.).
  • Provide strategic and substantive advice to the Steering Committee.
  • Implement the GVGA’s annual work plan and other tasks as delegated by the Steering Committee.
  • Propose and draft the GVGA’s talking points and position papers; identify and respond to relevant consultations and/or co-ordination of the Associations’ responses; and ensure promotion of evidence-based, independent video game research with stakeholders in Geneva.
  • Propose to the GVGA’s Steering Committee and execute approved advocacy strategies to advance the GVGA’s objectives.
  • Support the Steering Committee with information relevant to the GVGA’s objectives, where needed.

• Administrative and Compliance Activities:
  • Manage administrative matters related to the GVGA, including organising, leading and taking minutes of GVGA meetings, drafting GVGA and external meeting agendas, executing Steering Committee decisions and follow up actions related to the GVGA, and providing annual activity reports to the Steering Committee.
  • Ensure the GVGA’s compliance with any relevant requirements related to engaging with the WHO and other agreed upon Intergovernmental Organizations and Geneva-based permanent missions.
  • Perform other relevant duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Steering Committee.
  • The person shall report to the GVGA’s Steering Committee, which is composed of regional video game association representatives.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Relevant experience working on digital health issues with the WHO and/or other UN organizations, preferably on behalf of the video game industry and/or other copyright or tech industries in one or more countries
• Bachelor’s degree required, and advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 10 (ten) years of international government affairs and public policy experience working in the private and/or public sector.

Skills and Other Qualifications

• Must have demonstrated experience in coordinating coalition or similar joint efforts on behalf of industry associations from different global regions or countries.
• Must be an effective communicator and collaborator with experience building consensus among members.
• Must possess the highest level of work ethic and integrity with the ability to maintain confidential information.
• Must possess excellent written, oral, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Must have strong advocacy, negotiation and relationship-building skills to effectively work with a range of stakeholders at different levels including senior officials.
• Must possess the ability to confidently speak in one-on-one meetings and to groups of varying sizes in public and private settings.
• Must be fluent in English. Fluency in another WHO language/s is an asset.

Technicalities

While the person’s location in Geneva is not mandatory, his/her regular presence in Geneva is required.

The position could be in the form of a consultancy contract on the condition that any other activities are not in any way a conflict of interest.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV to by 1 August 2022.

The GVGA is committed to diversity and inclusion, and encourages qualified candidates irrespective origin, gender identity, and disability to apply.