Senior Officer - Policy, Advocacy & Communications

Your Position


As a crucial member of the foundation's Nigeria Policy, Advocacy and Communications team, the Senior Officer – Policy, Advocacy & communications will be tasked with overseeing the execution of a comprehensive advocacy strategy. This strategy aims to enable the foundation and its partners to achieve shared programmatic objectives in Nigeria. The role requires close collaboration with Nigeria-based leadership and staff, advocacy partners in the Gates Foundation's Africa Regional, Washington D.C. and Seattle offices, program teams, and communications colleagues.
The position also involves working with various external foundation grantees and partners, including Nigeria's government at both federal and state levels, given the Gates Foundation's engagement in the country.
The foundation's work in Nigeria centers on women's and children's health and nutrition issues, agricultural development, and financial services for the poor. The Senior Officer – Policy, Advocacy & Communications will report directly to the Deputy Director for Policy, Advocacy and Communications based in Nigeria.


Your Responsibilities


Collaborate with leadership and staff colleagues to create and implement a Nigeria advocacy strategy that leverages foundation assets (such as grants, contracts, leadership voice, convening ability, and staff time) to support the Gates Foundation's strategy and its programmatic, policy, and financing goals.
Assist in analyzing and monitoring key Nigerian political, fiscal, and policy-related trends relevant to the foundation's influence in Nigeria.
Coordinate internally with Abuja-based, regional, and global program stakeholders and advocacy colleagues to align strategies, gather information, and manage specific projects.
Oversee a grant portfolio of advocacy investments in Nigeria, including managing existing grants and developing future grants that advance foundation goals, under the supervision of the Deputy Director.
Establish and nurture relationships with relevant government officials, donors, and civil society to inform the foundation's engagement in Nigeria at both national and state levels.
Work closely with the Deputy Director, Global Policy and Advocacy (GPA) teams, Program Strategy teams, and Communications colleagues to coordinate the foundation's policy and advocacy priorities in Nigeria, and its overall use of voice.
Provide guidance to the Nigeria Country Director and Deputy Director as needed on strategies to support and influence the foundation's political and NGO relationships at federal and state levels.
Potentially serve as a representative of the foundation and the Nigeria program to internal and external constituencies, including formal and informal presentations, speeches, conference attendance, and other meetings as necessary.


Leadership and Culture


We believe that motivated individuals, working effectively together, inspired by exceptional leadership in an inclusive environment where they thrive, will accomplish remarkable things.


Essential Knowledge and Abilities


Outstanding knowledge, experience, and expertise in policy and advocacy relevant to Nigeria— either directly involving global health and development issues, or in areas that have provided deep and significant experience that can be applied to health and development issues.
Experience in conceptualizing, designing, and managing advocacy strategies, initiatives, and programs for health, agriculture, and/or financial services for the poor.
Experience working with Nigerian policymakers at federal and state levels is strongly preferred, as is familiarity with the Nigerian civil society landscape, and major donor and multilateral institutions.
Proven track record in driving advocacy and communications efforts to raise awareness of global health/development issues and shape political and financial support for these issues with governmental and non-state organizations.
Capability to transform complex ideas and information into simple messages and strategies.
Experience working with international organizations and/or in multiple countries is desirable.
Experience or high aptitude for working in a complex, matrixed environment – requiring cultural awareness, and a collaborative nature that recognizes the benefits of seeking consensus.
Ability to work with flexibility, entrepreneurship, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a complex team effort. A demonstrated ability to effectively manage and adapt within a changing environment.


Your Background


Bachelor's degree in public policy, international relations, public health, development, or a related field with a minimum of 7 years of progressive senior-level experience leading advocacy initiatives in global health and development.
Comprehension of the role of advocacy and communications efforts in increasing awareness of global health/development issues and generating political and financial support for these issues with governmental and non-state organizations.
Consistent history of providing vision and influencing others in a constructive, optimistic manner, while building and maintaining collaborative relationships.
Exceptional project and team leadership skills including the ability to guide teams and organizations from strategy development through execution, develop shared goals and execution plans, prioritize, facilitate meetings, manage budgets, build consensus, and work both independently and collaboratively.
Superior verbal and written communication skills, capable of effectively synthesizing information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus, ideal.
Experience managing a grant portfolio either as a grantee, receiving and reporting on a grant, or as a grant manager, with direct responsibility for grantmaking and management.
Experience developing and leading complex projects and/or grants in support of policy initiatives, advocacy programs, and events at the global, regional, and national levels.
Experience working in an environment with ambiguity while helping teams adapt to change.
An enthusiasm for leveraging technology, and/or proficiency in using generative AI tools, for task efficiency is desired.


Additional Qualities


Capacity to work with flexibility and a high degree of rigor, collaboration, and diplomacy, both individually and as part of a complex team effort.
Comprehensive understanding of the advocacy landscape and the policy adoption process
High standards of personal integrity.
Willingness to travel up to 30% of the time, where health and safety protocols permit.
A deep commitment to development issues in Nigeria.