Director, Africa

The Foundation We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally. The Team The Africa team works to enable the foundation’s ambitious goals of scaling evidence-based interventions that target a range of diseases and socio-economic conditions that are endemic across Sub-Saharan Africa. The team implements its responsibility through direct country engagement to deploy interventions and delivery models, and by building the partner architecture to replicate successful interventions and models across multiple countries. The Africa regional team’s work spans efforts to improve health, gender, and economic development. Application deadline – 13 October 2023 Your Role The Director, Africa leads the Bill & Melina Gates Foundation’s office in Johannesburg and oversees the management of the resources and programs to advance the foundation’s ambitious goals in Africa across the programmatic divisions of Global Development, Global Growth & Opportunity, Global Policy, and Advocacy, Gender Equality and Global Health programs. The role provides direct oversight to the foundation’s work and staff in South Africa; and guides and supports the Ethiopia and Nigeria country directors and their teams to further the foundation’s objectives in these high-engagement countries. The role also is accountable for the new office locations in Kenya and Senegal that will open in 2024. The director advises and partners with program teams on the expansion of the foundation’s work in West Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa. This includes regional/country strategy development, human resource management, talent development, operations, financial and organizational stewardship, and extensive internal and external relationship management. The Director, Africa represents the foundation at the highest levels of government/Africa based partners and other global gatherings, in close coordination and guidance from the President of Global Development and other Global Presidents. The role reports to the President of Global Development who is based in Seattle. The role is based in Johannesburg, South Africa however, for the right candidate, we may be open to considering candidates from geographies in Africa where we have offices. What You’ll Do Responsible for the formulation, adaptation, and implementation of clear, comprehensive, and integrated strategies within the region Serve as an internal representation of the Africa region to the foundation co-chairs and to leadership, collaborating with teams across the US and global offices to achieve the foundation’s goals in the region. Identify and cultivate partnerships and efforts to enhance key institutional and partner capacities to accelerate progress toward goals. Ensure a high-quality portfolio of investments by managing teams and partners to think critically about goals, context, approach, and sustainability. Foster sustainable, longer-term systemic change by facilitating continuous learning and adaptation by the foundation team and partners. Oversees the operational effectiveness and safety of all foundation staff working in or traveling to the country, ensuring proper registration and compliance with statutory regulations. Direct and control the activities for planning, staffing, budgeting, and managing expense priorities, for both programs and functions, including allocating financial resources for program/functional groups. Serve as the principal representative for the foundation in Africa with all government, grantees, donor partners, media, non-governmental organizations (NGO), multilateral organizations, civil society, and the private sector, and work to strengthen partnerships and engagement on the foundation priorities and overall communications on behalf of the foundation. Responsible for hiring and developing the talent needed to achieve the foundation’s goals in Africa. Accountable for integration and driving progress against DEI goals and division commitments. Foster enabling conditions for talent to thrive and be accountable for an inclusive team culture. Model and coach equitable decision-making, inclusive behaviors, and actions; address issues raised in a timely fashion. Your Experience An advanced degree or equivalent and demonstrated experience in at least one of the foundation programmatic focus areas. Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies to advance complex systems changes and to adapt and learn from local contexts. Proven ability to align strategies and get results, adapting to new information with a focus on performance and impact delivery. Deep knowledge and awareness of development issues, strategies, and institutions across relevant foundation program areas. Proficiency in data-driven decision-making and fluency in measurement and evaluation. Strong/sustained track record and demonstrated ability to build and nurture a diverse and multicultural team of strong leaders, by empowering them to do their best work, individually, and as a team, in service of foundation goals. Excellent written and oral communication skills in positions requiring communication with a broad audience representing diverse cultures. Comprehensive experience leading and implementing programs in Africa, preferably in multiple geographies across the continent, working with government, private sector, and civil society. Sustained experience managing a regional and/or country office is strongly preferred. Comprehensive experience in building a strong network with key collaborators/decision makers in Sub-Saharan Africa, implementing solutions in partnership with governments, NGOs, private sector and/or other partners. Established reputation as a leader in the development sector with extensive experience in low- and middle-income country contexts. Demonstrated experience developing collaborative and deep relationships and effectively engaging with a wide array of collaborators at the country level including government, subnational entities, donors, and partners/grantees to co-develop strategies and work plans and provide oversight of and track implementation. #LI-MB1 Hiring Requirements As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Candidate Accommodations If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here. Inclusion Statement We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all 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. Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of co-chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates and the board of trustees.