Jobs

Senior Program Officer, US Federal Government Relations

• The Foundation

  We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: that people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. By building a global and cultural workplace that supports greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — together with our employees and partners, we can help all people improve their lives from poverty and health to education. As an organization we offer hybrid work arrangements, generous PTO, 15% contribution to your retirement fund, a diverse and inclusive workplace backed by 11 Employee Resource Groups and embed DEI in everything we do!

  Division Summary

  The mission of the Global Policy & Advocacy (GPA) division is to understand and shape the public policy debates affecting the foundation’s work, build support for its major program and policy objectives, and develop partnerships and alliances that can advance the foundation’s objectives nationally and globally. Because the foundation’s resources alone are not enough to solve the challenges ahead, GPA also supports advocacy efforts to engage diverse stakeholders and promote innovative solutions that advance our program goals.  We work in close partnership with grantees, our colleagues in the Global Health, Global Development, Global Growth & Opportunity, U.S. and Gender Equality programs and Foundation Communications to build the environment in which all people have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives.

  Team Summary

  The North America Team (NAT) develops and executes policy, advocacy, communications and government relations strategies to build political support and advance domestic and global programmatic priorities that are funded by, or executed within, the United States, Canada, and the United Nations.

  Leadership & Culture

  Our culture shapes our choices about what we do and how we do it. We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership in an inclusive environment can do extraordinary things. We expect foundation employees to intentionally and consistently embody our four agreements; show respect, offer trust, be transparent, and create energy.

  Position Summary

  The Senior Program Officer, US Federal Government Relations (SPO), will be responsible for developing and executing an advocacy strategy to advance key foundation priorities with the US Government (USG) in global agriculture development and/or domestic economic mobility. To achieve these goals, the SPO will develop and maintain relationships with key USG decision-makers who are directly involved in areas of interest to the foundation.  The SPO will also manage one or more portfolio of grants and contracts requiring high-level grant management skills, monitoring and evaluation. Finally, the SPO will monitor policy developments within their portfolio and be prepared to take appropriate opportunistic actions based on recommendations from the leadership of the team.  As a key advisor on strategy, the SPO will contribute to the continued development of the team’s strategic vision, while partnering closely with team leadership to set the overall strategy and goals for the team.

  The SPO candidate will bring a depth and breadth of knowledge about the political landscape at the US federal level, and economic policy levers available to the USG in the global development and/or domestic economic policy space. They will also possess at least 7+ years of senior experience working in the legislative or executive branch in roles aligned with foundation priorities and be able to demonstrate that they are active and well-connected within federal advocacy networks.

  Core Responsibilities

  • Monitor and track issues across foundation’s priorities as they show up at the US federal level

  • Establish and sustain relationships with key decision-makers that support funding and policy decisions on our priorities

  • Collaborate as needed with other internal foundation teams to identify policy and funding priorities that are ripe for USG action

  • Develop, implement, and coordinate USG-facing advocacy that aligns with foundation strategy and is operationally integrated with other foundation teams.

  • Update NAT and other leadership as needed about political and policy trends within the portfolio

  • Identify potential advocacy partners; assess their alignment with foundation strategies; evaluate capacity, and lead grants, assessing performance over time

  • Represent the foundation to key external constituencies

  • Operate effectively in a highly dynamic and matrixed environment

  • Adapt effectively to change

  Position Reports to:  Deputy Director, Federal Government Relations

  Core Knowledge and Skills

  • Senior level experience working in either the Legislative or Executive Branch with an emphasis on roles that align with foundation priorities; preferred expertise in or with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of State, and/or USAID (or in a related legislative committee)

  • Recognized internally and externally by professionals on the Hill or in the Executive Branch as an expert in some aspect of global agriculture development and/or on issues affecting vulnerable populations such as food production, food assistance, career pathways or job training, and safety net programs

  • Deep knowledge of the US federal budget and decision-making processes

  • Access to senior level staff and/or government officials with proven ability to expand networks as needed

  • Proven ability to lead and influence others in a constructive manner and to build and sustain collaborative relationships.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to effectively synthesize information to reach diverse audiences and build consensus.

  Education and Experience

  • Advanced degree in relevant field or equivalent experience

  • At least 7+ years of experience in either the Legislative or Executive Branch

  • Deep dedication to foundation issues of focus

  • Ability to synthesize and share political intelligence in a clear, succinct manner

  • Dedication to working as part of a highly collaborative team

  *Applicants for this role will only be considered if they are able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

  #LI-TO1

  Hiring Requirements

  As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

  Depending upon your work location, we may require proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 and any recommended booster doses. All employees based in the United States are to provide proof of full vaccination upon hire and any recommended boosters, subject to applicable laws.

  Accommodations

  If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to hr@gatesfoundation.org.

  Inclusion Statement

  We are 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 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.

Job posted: 2022-08-03