The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the world’s largest private philanthropic organization dedicated to fighting poverty, disease, and inequity. Founded on the belief that all lives have equal value, the Foundation partners with governments, organizations, and communities to expand opportunity and improve health outcomes globally. Employees enjoy a world-class benefits package, including comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision) with no premiums, paid family leave, a foundation-funded retirement plan, and generous time off. The Foundation fosters a workplace culture rooted in diversity, collaboration, and innovation — where staff are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Location: Nairobi, KenyaType: Full-timeApplication Deadline: November 12, 2025Organization: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation The Africa Team The Africa Team drives the Foundation’s mission across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), focusing on scaling evidence-based health and development interventions. The team works directly with governments and local partners to strengthen systems and replicate successful delivery models that address region-specific health challenges. Its work spans multiple thematic areas — including maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, family planning, and disease control — ensuring that proven innovations reach communities equitably and sustainably. Your Role The Senior Officer, Advocacy – Health Product Introduction plays a critical role in ensuring that lifesaving maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) innovations move efficiently from research to reality. Reporting to the Deputy Director, PAC ARO, this role bridges policy, advocacy, and technical domains to accelerate the adoption, financing, and scale-up of priority health products across Africa. You will work closely with internal Program Strategy Teams (MNCNH, Family Planning, Women’s Health Innovation, and Immunization) and external partners in key focus countries — including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Senegal, Mozambique, and Kenya — to develop coordinated advocacy strategies that enhance government leadership, unlock financing, and embed innovation within national systems. This is a strategic, senior position for a collaborative leader who combines deep policy understanding with hands-on advocacy experience. Key Responsibilities 1. Strategy & Advocacy Development Design and co-lead advocacy strategies that address regulatory, policy, and financing barriers to the introduction and scale-up of MNCH innovations. Work closely with national governments, donors, and advocacy coalitions to align interventions with national priorities and strengthen domestic resource mobilization. Champion systems-level approaches that integrate new technologies into existing health delivery frameworks. 2. Policy Engagement & Partnerships Collaborate with ministries of health, regional bodies, and implementing agencies to accelerate product registration, approval, and adoption. Serve as a senior policy and advocacy advisor, ensuring that evidence and technical insights inform decision-making. Represent the Foundation in high-level meetings, multi-stakeholder platforms, and global health forums. 3. Grant & Portfolio Management Oversee performance-based advocacy grants and contracts related to MNCH product introduction. Ensure accountability, high-quality execution, and continuous learning among grantees and partners. Identify and manage “smart buys” — strategic investments that deliver strong advocacy and policy impact per dollar. 4. Evidence & Learning Lead or commission micro-planning analyses that identify key enablers and bottlenecks for product scale-up. Support the creation of evidence packages, policy briefs, and case studies to build political will for MNCH innovations. Facilitate cross-country learning exchanges to share successful advocacy and financing models. 5. Cross-Team Collaboration Coordinate across Foundation teams (policy, product development, country offices, and communications) to ensure alignment between innovation, policy, and financing workstreams. Work with colleagues to amplify advocacy for MNCH product introduction within broader health system strengthening and universal health coverage (UHC) efforts. 6. Strategic Communications & Reporting Develop strategy memos, briefing notes, and talking points for Foundation leadership engagements. Provide regular progress reports and presentations summarizing advocacy milestones, risks, and opportunities. Qualifications and Experience Education & Professional Background Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in public health, medicine, health economics, public policy, or a related field. Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in advocacy, policy, or health systems strengthening, ideally with a focus on maternal, newborn, and child health or related sectors. Technical Expertise Demonstrated experience in advocacy and communications for product introduction, access, and scale-up. Proven ability to work with governments, donors, and implementing partners in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts. Strong understanding of the MNCH, family planning, and reproductive health landscape and the product introduction value chain. Leadership & Soft Skills Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities — capable of distilling complex technical information into clear, persuasive messaging. Proven capacity to build partnerships, negotiate effectively, and drive collective action across diverse stakeholders. Skilled at navigating complex political and institutional environments with diplomacy and cultural sensitivity. Other Attributes Flexible, adaptive, and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. Willingness to travel up to 40% (domestically and internationally). Deep personal commitment to health equity, integrity, and inclusive development. Core Competencies CompetencyDescriptionMNCH Advocacy ExpertiseDemonstrated ability to design and execute country-level advocacy strategies for health product introduction.Policy and Financing AcumenDeep understanding of policy reform, health financing, and regulatory ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa.Collaboration & InfluenceSkilled at coordinating multisectoral partnerships and promoting shared objectives.Strategic CommunicationAdept at developing high-impact advocacy materials and advising senior decision-makers.Results OrientationProven ability to deliver measurable policy and advocacy outcomes within complex systems. Hiring Process & Requirements Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process due to a disability, you can request assistance through the Foundation’s accessibility portal. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other protected status. How to Apply Interested candidates should apply online through the Foundation’s careers portal before November 12, 2025. Please prepare a CV and a cover letter detailing your experience in health advocacy, policy engagement, and product introduction in LMIC contexts. Be part of a team shaping the future of women’s and children’s health in Africa — where innovation meets impact. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. 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