Associate Program Officer

ASSOCIATE PROGRAM OFFICER – POLICY, ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION- JOB POST BILL & MELINDA 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 Nigeria Country Office (NCO) uses our core comparative advantages to drive impact across the 4 focus areas of the Foundation. We make key investments and lead advocacy in our focus areas to help achieve specific national outcomes that address Nigeria's developmental challenges. We adopt a one-foundation approach in our work and collaborate with government entities, donors, and other partners in driving a joint vision for Nigeria.

The Nigeria Policy, Advocacy and Communications team, manage the execution of a comprehensive advocacy strategy that will enable the foundation and its partners to achieve shared programmatic goals in Nigeria. This is done in close collaboration with Nigeria-based leadership, advocacy partners in the Gates Foundation, Africa Regional, D.C. and Seattle offices, program teams, and communications colleagues. It also involves collaboration with a range of external foundation grantees and partners, including—given the Gates Foundation’s work with Nigeria’s government—government officials at both federal and state level. The focus of the foundation’s work in Nigeria is women’s and children’s health and nutrition issues, agricultural development and financial service for the poor.

Application Deadline: 24 Dec, 2023.

Your Role

The Associate Program Officer- Policy Advocacy and Communication (APO PAC) will provide technical, operational and project management support primarily to the members of the Nigeria PAC team and to other foundation teams as needed.

The role will report to the Deputy Director, Policy Advocacy and Communication, Nigeria, and work in close coordination with the Senior Program Officers on the team.

What You’ll Do

• Organizing and facilitating internal meetings across teams at the NCO around health and other development priorities policy and financing advocacy activities in Nigeria.

• Summarizing grant activities and budgets as requested; facilitating donor coordination meetings on PAC investments; responding to requests from country governments and other partners for information.

• Project management duties include portfolio management and grantee coordination; logistics and information management.; following up on various requests for assistance and support from the NCO PAC team.

• Support to strategy development for the NCO; and ad hoc requests from the NCO PAC and other foundation teams for research support.

• Reviewing grant and contract progress and drafting internal analyses.

• Helping to draft proposal documents including requests for proposals/calls for letters of interest, proposal analysis review documents, proposal approval memos, etc.

• Assisting with proposal management process with internal and external partners.

• Carrying out literature reviews, landscape analyses and other analytical reviews as assigned.

• Providing analytical support to the NCO as needed.

• Traveling to field sites within Nigeria and supporting the implementation and coordination of investments both at the Federal and State levels.

• Develop and monitor implementation of formal engagements with government (e.g., MOUs, workplans) and technical grants in support of engagement strategies.

• Participate in partner and/or government-sponsored events on behalf of the NCO.

Your Experience

• A minimum of 3 years professional experience, preferably in public health and or economic opportunities (agriculture development, financial inclusion, and women economic empowerment) program advocacy and management, supporting a team

• Bachelor’s degree in management or related field required. MBA, MPH, MPA or similar field desirable.

• Experience in a dynamic environment with proven ability to juggle multiple and competing demands and establish priorities, while providing continual attention to detail in proofing materials, tracking projects, and grants.

• Demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire knowledge and execute good judgment in a variety of global health and development contexts.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Hausa language skills are a plus.

• Preferably has experience with other donors (USG, GAVI, Global Fund, DFID, etc) and implementing partners work in supporting public health and development programs in developing countries.

• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.

Other Attributes

• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic, and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people.

• Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.

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

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.

CONCLUSION

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