Senior Program Officer, Africa

$149,800.00/yr - $278,700.00/yr

The Foundation

We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.

The Team

The Africa team works to enable the foundation’s ambitious goals of scaling evidence-based interventions that target a range of disease and socio-economic conditions which are endemic across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The team drives its responsibility through direct country engagement to deploy interventions and delivery models, and by building the partner architecture to replicate successful interventions and models across multiple countries.

This is a 9-month limited term position, relocation will not be provided.

Your Role

As the Senior Program Officer (LTE), you will report to the Regional representative, East Africa. You will be able to work in a hybrid remote work arrangement from our Seattle, WA office, with constant collaboration with Africa Team colleagues and PSTs across the foundation. You are a creative, thoughtful, and curious thinker and implementer that identifies as a problem solver, trusted business partner, mentor, with deep understanding of how the foundation operates. You are also familiar with our work across numerous PSTs, which has given you nuanced appreciation and curiosity about exploring opportunities for strengthening our Africa regional offices. You will manage and coordinate sophisticated grant-making activities that are highly visible to all partners across diverse subject areas and bridge a wide range of expertise with agility, efficiency, and diplomacy in a dynamic environment. You will also play an integral role in supporting the setting up and operationalization of the new BMGF Nairobi sub-regional office.

What You’ll Do

Support the Regional Representatives to advocate for priority strategies of the foundation in the East Africa region, which consists of the following countries: Kenya (moderate engagement), Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda (selective engagement countries), Burundi, Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia (Light Engagement Countries).

Provide internal review of program and or functional team grants/investments, supporting RRs in crafting said grants/investments and chaperoning grants through internal foundation grant-making processes. At the direction of the RRs, source, develop, and manage a portfolio of grants/investments, responding to regional priorities and opportunities.

Gather and provide colleagues with information at the country and regional level about priority issues and strategies that are important to the foundation, such as new policies, local investments, financial regulation, biotechnology, gender and other key health and development priorities.

At the guidance of Regional Representatives, establish and strengthen critical relationships with national and regional governments in the East Africa regions, and other key foundation partners, including funders, media, NGOs, multilateral organizations, and the private sector to boost political will and help bring in new resources.

Build and maintain high quality, productive, collaborative, and coordinated interactions and clear and consistent communications with grantees and partners in the region.

Support and manage the smooth operation of foundation working groups and grantee platforms including the Kenya Coordination Team (KCT), Kenya Partners Forum etc. - to ensure collaboration, knowledge sharing and partnership with foundation PSTs and grantees.

Support the development of a robust regional internal and external communications plan. Support the development and management of media partners and influencers from the region. Develop the weekly and monthly regional reports, key communication tool to engage PSTs.

Support foundation leadership trips, calls, learning, engagement opportunities, and other appropriate activities to foundation staff visiting East Africa.

Support the coordination of programmatic work in the region, in close partnership with foundation’s Program Strategy and Functional Teams as well as regional intelligence partners.

Focus on the development of the growing regional work including partnerships with the East Africa Community (EAC).

At the direction of the Regional Representative, provide substantive support in onboarding the permanent regional SPOs, and other relevant staff.

Your Experience

Self-starter with ability to operate and advance work in scenarios of ambiguity and ability to operate independently.

Strong problem-solving approach. Outstanding interpersonal skills and humility – ability to listen and absorb perspectives from collaborators and synthesize into thoughtful and well-designed comprehensive grants.

Strong oral and written communication skills for internal and external engagement

Experience in having led strategy development processes, coupled with complex grant-making experience.

Knowledge and awareness of development issues, strategies and institutions across relevant foundation program areas and geographies, particularly as it relates to Eastern Africa.

Familiarity with global health and non-profit/philanthropic management will be advantageous.

Proven experience developing collaborative relationships and effectively engaging with a wide array of partners at the country and regional levels including but not limited to government, regional entities, influencers, donors and partners/grantees on a wide range of issues. Strong experience in at least one foundation program priority is required.

Proven track record to craft, develop, manage and scale positive relationships, alliances and ventures both inside and outside organizations. Ability to adapt and learn from local contexts and serve as a trusted advisor to partners.

Demonstrated ability to oversee the management of large/complex projects related to relevant developmental area.

At least 10 years’ experience in a priority program of the Foundation operating at a middle to senior level.

Advanced degree (master’s and above) in public health, management or related field with at least 10 years of experience in relevant developmental area (health, social development, program management)

At least 5 years’ experience of working in a funding role including clear experience of managing grants/investments.

Experience in at least one of the Eastern Africa countries and an ability to travel to Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

The typical salary range for this role is $149,800 to $278,700 USD. The exact offer will be determined by a variety of factors such as the candidate’s individual skills, qualifications, and experience relative to the requirements of the role.

Hiring Requirements

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Candidate Accommodations

If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.