Gates Foundation is Hiring a Senior Officer in Nigeria to Drive Policy Change for 200+ Million Lives

Senior Officer, Program Advocacy & Communications
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Job Type: Full-Time
Application Deadline: June 5, 2025
Requisition ID: B020980

About the Gates Foundation

The Gates Foundation is the world’s largest nonprofit organization working to reduce poverty, disease, and inequity. Our mission is built on the belief that all people—regardless of background—should have the opportunity to live healthy, productive lives. We strive to build a workplace that reflects the diversity of the populations we serve and promotes both personal and professional growth.

Our benefits include full medical, dental, and vision coverage with no employee premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-funded retirement contributions, and access to employee-led communities.

The Global Policy & Advocacy Division

The Global Policy & Advocacy (GPA) division works to shape public discourse, influence policy decisions, and develop partnerships that support the foundation’s strategic goals. GPA supports program teams and external partners to build momentum for key initiatives and accelerate change in the areas of global health, development, and opportunity.

Within GPA, the Program Advocacy and Communications (PAC) team develops and executes advocacy and communications strategies to support policy and financing goals. PAC partners with program teams to influence decision-makers, manage advocacy grant portfolios, engage stakeholders, and amplify the foundation’s voice on key issues.

The Role

The Senior Officer, Program Advocacy & Communications will be based in Abuja and serve as a core member of the Nigeria PAC team. This role will lead the execution of advocacy strategies aligned with the foundation’s priorities in Nigeria—primarily in the areas of women’s and children’s health and nutrition, agricultural development, and financial services for underserved communities.

The role requires close coordination with internal teams across Nigeria, Africa, Washington D.C., and Seattle, and collaboration with government institutions, civil society, and donor organizations at the federal and state levels. The position reports to the Deputy Director, Policy, Advocacy & Communications in Nigeria.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute advocacy strategies to advance the foundation’s goals in Nigeria, leveraging tools such as grants, partnerships, convening, and communications.
• Monitor and analyze political, fiscal, and policy trends relevant to program priorities.
• Align advocacy efforts across internal teams and support cross-functional collaboration.
• Manage a portfolio of advocacy grants, including oversight of existing investments and development of new ones.
• Build and sustain relationships with government leaders, civil society partners, and donor representatives at national and subnational levels.
• Advise senior leaders on political dynamics and engagement strategies to support policy and advocacy goals.
• Represent the foundation in relevant forums, including conferences, stakeholder engagements, and media briefings.
• Support the creation of high-quality policy communications and advocacy materials.

Qualifications and Experience

• 8–12 years of experience in policy advocacy, communications, public affairs, or related fields in Nigeria.
• Demonstrated experience influencing policy, building coalitions, and working with government agencies, multilateral organizations (such as WHO, UNICEF), and philanthropy.
• Prior experience in sectors such as health systems, nutrition, agriculture, education, or development finance is highly desirable.

Core Competencies

Policy and Political Insight

• Deep understanding of Nigerian federal and state-level policymaking processes.
• Experience engaging in policy reform, budget advocacy, or legislative processes.
• Familiarity with Nigeria’s civil society and donor landscape.

Strategic Communications

• Strong track record of simplifying complex information for various audiences.
• Skilled in media engagement, narrative development, and message design.
• Proficiency in digital platforms and communication tools.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Proven ability to navigate sensitive relationships with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Experience with international partners or working across countries is a plus.

Execution and Project Management

• Highly organized with strong planning and coordination skills.
• Able to manage multiple workstreams under pressure while maintaining quality.
• Collaborative, solution-oriented, and comfortable working in matrixed environments.

Leadership and Values Alignment

• Strong commitment to the foundation’s values: equity, collaboration, innovation, rigor, and inclusion.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and leading cross-functional teams.
• High level of integrity and professional judgment.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to travel up to 30% within Nigeria and internationally, based on safety protocols.
• A deep commitment to development and equity-focused initiatives in Nigeria.

For more information and to apply please visit here.

Hiring and Inclusion

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. The Gates Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and provide accommodations throughout the hiring process.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.