Director, Policy, Advocacy & Communications for Africa

Summary

We seek an experienced professional to act as the foundation’s Director, Policy, Advocacy and Communications for Africa. This role will be responsible for leading a small team of experts who work across the continent to help design and implement policy, advocacy and communications strategies in support of the foundation’s global programs. The role is responsible for working across internal foundation teams and their leadership to help leverage an ecosystem of partners at the global, regional, national and subnational levels in order to drive positive change on the foundation’s global programs. In close coordination with the Africa Director, to whom the Director, PAC for Africa primarily reports to, this role will also work closely with the foundation’s Global Policy and Advocacy team to define and realize the foundation’s objectives in Africa.

The focus of the Africa team is to enable collective impact for the foundation in Africa by supporting policy and finance towards key development priorities, strengthening capacity and enabling systems for delivery, and innovating and leveraging cross-cutting enablers for impact at scale. The Africa team reports into the Global Development Program, but its initiatives encompass almost the entire range of strategies that reside in our Global Development, Global Health, Global Growth & Opportunity, and Global Policy & Advocacy Programs, spanning from R&D to delivery to strengthening systems and the enabling environment. Our Johannesburg office oversees the foundation’s high-level priority government relationships in Africa, which includes partnerships among key ministries with central governments. We bring evidence and expertise to bear on important public policy debates around issues affecting our work, building public support and partnerships to advance our shared objectives for health and livelihood. Our goals and operating model require leveraging the vast network of internal and external foundation partners.

Position Summary

Based in Johannesburg, the Director, PAC for Africa will be responsible for leading a select group of external stakeholder relationships in Africa, as directed by the Africa Director, and ensuring the appropriate management of other key government relationships. This position will provide guidance, mentorship, and coordination to the policy & advocacy leaders and working group members to help them develop and execute program policy & advocacy strategies to further the foundation’s goals in Africa. The Director will contribute to the advancement of the foundation’s mission and impact by prioritizing collective success; modelling courageous inquiry and intellectual integrity; and nurturing people and building great teams.

Internal Relationships

Core Responsibilities

Leadership and Culture

We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment in which they thrive, will do phenomenal things.

Core Knowledge and Skills

Education and Experience

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We also believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, cultures and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all of our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve the mission of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to: