Senior Program Officer, Leadership Engagement and Implementation at Gates Foundation

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 Gates Foundation team in Africa works in partnership with governments, multilateral development agencies, philanthropists, civil society, and private sector actors to accelerate progress toward the foundation’s goals in health, development, and economic opportunity. The team leads the design and implementation of strategies that advance impact at scale, in alignment with the foundation’s Africa regional priorities and global program strategies.

The Leadership Engagement & Implementation function within the Africa team enables effective deployment of foundation leadership time and voice in support of the Africa Team’s strategic goals. It ensures that leadership engagements, including visits by foundation executives, Board members, and senior program leadership, advance programmatic objectives, deepen partnerships, and strengthen the foundation’s credibility in priority geographies.

Application Deadline: 22/4/2026

Your Role

The Senior Program Officer, Leadership Engagement Implementation will play a pivotal role in shaping, coordinating, and executing leadership engagement strategies for the Africa Team. The role is designed to strengthen strategic execution of key leadership engagements, improve coordination across program and functional teams, and ensure that leadership priorities translate into effective action in support of the Deputy Director, Leadership Advising.

In this role, you will oversee the planning, execution, and follow-up of high-level leadership visits, events, and external engagements; working closely with the Regional Representatives and program teams to ensure that such engagements are strategically aligned with the foundation’s Africa Team Strategy and are successfully executed.

The role also supports critical partnerships on the continent, in support of the Africa Director, through strategic investments and coordination. These include relationships with former heads of state, philanthropists and other leading champions who are aligned with and can advance the foundation’s priorities.

The role requires exceptional project management, political acumen, and relationship management skills, as well as a deep understanding of the continent’s development landscape and the foundation’s priorities.

The role reports to the Deputy Director, Leadership Advising Africa, and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Leadership Engagement Planning & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end planning, coordination, and execution of high-profile leadership trips and events in priority countries, collaborating with regional representatives across Africa. Responsibilities include preparation, logistics, partner engagement, and post-event follow-up.

• Work closely with the Africa Director, Deputy Directors (SPM, Regional Representatives), and Global Leadership Offices to define trip objectives, design itineraries, and develop high-quality briefing materials.

• Manage debrief processes, documentation, and follow-up actions to ensure engagements result in sustained relationships and measurable outcomes.

• Proactively identify and mitigate operational, reputational, or political risks associated with leadership engagements. Serve as the central point for coordinating leadership engagement across program teams, communications, and country offices.

• Ensure all leadership engagements reinforce strategic priorities, government partnership frameworks, and cross-program coordination goals.

• Track and synthesize outcomes of leadership engagements to inform strategic decision-making and senior management reporting.

• Maintain an integrated calendar of planned and potential leadership visits, events, and external opportunities.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

• Support the Africa Director and Leadership Team in managing external communications and representation during high-level events.

• Facilitate internal coordination to present a unified “One Foundation” approach to partners, especially with key organizations such as AUDA-NEPAD, STBF, and other leading institutions.

• Identify and pursue opportunities to deepen collaboration with key partners whose goals align with the foundation’s priorities.

• Represent the foundation in preparatory and coordination meetings as needed, ensuring alignment and professional representation.

Investment and Portfolio Management

• Leverage the director’s reserve to develop and shape impactful investments with leading voices on the continent (e.g., Graca Machel Trust), collaborating closely with team members to advance the foundation’s goals.

• Work with PPT and other global teams to shape and manage Africa Team and PPT investments that support shared philanthropic objectives in Africa.

• Provide guidance and problem-solving support to partners managing active investments, ensuring delivery of intended impact.

Strategic Initiatives Support

• Collaborate with stakeholders responsible for onboarding to establish and implement an Africa Team onboarding approach that aligns with foundation-wide initiatives.

• Support the development and implementation of Africa Team DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) priorities, working alongside the Africa DEI council and lead.

• Lead the planning and implementation of other strategic initiatives as announced by foundation leadership.

Africa Director Internal Communications and Support

• Support the Africa Director’s internal communications through monthly emails and talking points for team engagement forums.

• Develop high-quality briefing materials to ensure the Africa Director is well-prepared for internal and external engagements.

• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure the Africa Director is briefed and supported for external engagements that amplify the foundation’s voice.

Knowledge Management & Learning

• Develop and maintain a repository of engagement briefs, trip reports, talking points, and partner intelligence.

• Ensure effective information sharing across teams, documenting key lessons, commitments, and strategic follow-up actions.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of leadership engagement processes and tools, ensuring knowledge retention and institutional memory.

Your Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, public policy, management, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum 7 years of experience in program management, external relations, or government affairs, ideally within an international development or philanthropic organization.

• Proven experience managing high-profile events, official visits, or executive-level stakeholder engagements.

• Demonstrated success in working with government institutions, development partners, and/or civil society.

• Experience leading cross-functional projects and coordinating multiple stakeholders across geographies.

• Strong communication, analytical, and synthesis skills, with the ability to craft clear and compelling briefing materials.

• Strategic thinker with excellent planning and execution discipline.

• Diplomatic and culturally sensitive; able to engage confidently with senior leaders and public officials.

• Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation capabilities.

• Strong collaboration and influence skills across teams and cultures.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and virtual collaboration platforms.

Other Attributes

• Deep understanding of the policy, political, and development context.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complexity with professionalism and sound judgment.

• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in both approach and action.

• Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally (up to 25%).

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

We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates. If you have a disability or medical condition and need an accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process—such as an ASL interpreter, alternative interview format, or physical accessibility support—we’re happy to help. Please contact HR@gatesfoundation.org with the position number and a brief description of your accommodation needs. Requests will be handled confidentially.

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.