Gates Foundation
Senior Program Officer, Africa, Development Policy & Finance
Gates Foundation, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Overview
Senior Program Officer, Development Policy & Finance, Africa. The Senior Program Officer will support the Foundation’s engagement on development finance, fiscal policy, and public financial management (PFM) in Africa, with a focus on priority countries and regional issues where relevant. Your Role
The Senior Program Officer (SPO), Development Policy And Finance, Africa will support the Foundation’s engagement on development finance, fiscal policy, and PFM in Africa, focusing on priority countries and regional/continental issues where relevant. The SPO will contribute to: Managing a grant portfolio supporting economic growth policies, public finance reforms, DRM, private sector mobilization, and fiscal advocacy in Africa. Policy analysis on African budgets, fiscal space and economic trends. Stakeholder engagement with African governments, particularly ministries of finance and economic planning and policy regional development finance institutions such as the African Development Bank. Strategic coordination within the foundation to align regional and global policy efforts. This is an 18 month LTE (limited term employment) role with compensation and benefits provided. Relocation can be provided for the hired candidate if not currently residing in the Washington, DC region. Applications will be accepted until 5 PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025. This position is located in Washington, DC. Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. What You'll Do
Grant Portfolio & Program Management (20%) Assist with the management of a portfolio of country finance grants covering economic growth and policy, DRM, PFM, and fiscal accountability. Serve as a guide and thought partner to grantees and partners to ensure funding is used effectively to advance fiscal policy reforms and pro-poor investment strategies. Provide support in strategy development, measurement and evaluation, and policy impact assessment. Design new grants that will advance the foundation’s development finance strategy for Africa. Development Finance & Public Policy Analysis (20%) Working closely with the Policy and Advocacy leads in the foundation’s priority countries, conduct policy analysis on PFM, budget formulation and execution, and tax policy in priority African countries. Produce analytical notes, policy briefs, and commentaries on DRM, debt sustainability, and fiscal space. Track economic and political developments affecting fiscal policy and public sector financing in foundation priority countries. Engage with think tanks, universities, and policy institutions to translate economic research into actionable policy recommendations. Stakeholder Engagement & Government Relations (20%) Develop and maintain strategic relationships with ministries of finance, central banks, and economic planning bodies in key African countries. Work with African policymakers to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization, tax policy, fiscal transparency, and public expenditure efficiency. Represent the foundation in policy dialogues, conferences, and technical working groups related to development finance and fiscal governance in Africa. Support advocacy efforts for global financial architecture reforms that enhance Africa’s access to concessional financing and innovative finance mechanisms. Internal Coordination & Strategic Advisory (40%) Serve as a resource for foundation teams to ensure coordination and alignment of global, regional, and country-level fiscal policy initiatives. Represent DPAF at relevant Africa team meetings, working groups, and task forces. Provide strategic input to foundation leadership, preparing briefing notes, background research, and event coordination support. Project manage internal foundation processes to update leadership on development finance trends for Africa including managing input and research products from partners and external consultants. Your Experience
Master’s degree in economics, finance, public policy, international development, or a related field. 7+ years of experience in development policy, with at least 2+ years of experience working in African countries. Proven experience engaging with African ministries of finance, central banks, or economic planning institutions on fiscal and economic policy. Strong understanding of domestic resource mobilization, tax policy, budget processes, and public expenditure management in Africa. Experience working with think tanks, international donors, or regional development institutions on economic and fiscal policy and governance issues. Strong research, analytical, writing, and public presentation skills with the ability to synthesize complex policy issues. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines, and collaborate effectively across teams. Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. Salary ranges: The salary range for this role is $169,700 to $254,500 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle, WA, and Washington, DC, where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $185,000 to $277,400 USD. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process. 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.
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Senior Program Officer, Development Policy & Finance, Africa. The Senior Program Officer will support the Foundation’s engagement on development finance, fiscal policy, and public financial management (PFM) in Africa, with a focus on priority countries and regional issues where relevant. Your Role
The Senior Program Officer (SPO), Development Policy And Finance, Africa will support the Foundation’s engagement on development finance, fiscal policy, and PFM in Africa, focusing on priority countries and regional/continental issues where relevant. The SPO will contribute to: Managing a grant portfolio supporting economic growth policies, public finance reforms, DRM, private sector mobilization, and fiscal advocacy in Africa. Policy analysis on African budgets, fiscal space and economic trends. Stakeholder engagement with African governments, particularly ministries of finance and economic planning and policy regional development finance institutions such as the African Development Bank. Strategic coordination within the foundation to align regional and global policy efforts. This is an 18 month LTE (limited term employment) role with compensation and benefits provided. Relocation can be provided for the hired candidate if not currently residing in the Washington, DC region. Applications will be accepted until 5 PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025. This position is located in Washington, DC. Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. What You'll Do
Grant Portfolio & Program Management (20%) Assist with the management of a portfolio of country finance grants covering economic growth and policy, DRM, PFM, and fiscal accountability. Serve as a guide and thought partner to grantees and partners to ensure funding is used effectively to advance fiscal policy reforms and pro-poor investment strategies. Provide support in strategy development, measurement and evaluation, and policy impact assessment. Design new grants that will advance the foundation’s development finance strategy for Africa. Development Finance & Public Policy Analysis (20%) Working closely with the Policy and Advocacy leads in the foundation’s priority countries, conduct policy analysis on PFM, budget formulation and execution, and tax policy in priority African countries. Produce analytical notes, policy briefs, and commentaries on DRM, debt sustainability, and fiscal space. Track economic and political developments affecting fiscal policy and public sector financing in foundation priority countries. Engage with think tanks, universities, and policy institutions to translate economic research into actionable policy recommendations. Stakeholder Engagement & Government Relations (20%) Develop and maintain strategic relationships with ministries of finance, central banks, and economic planning bodies in key African countries. Work with African policymakers to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization, tax policy, fiscal transparency, and public expenditure efficiency. Represent the foundation in policy dialogues, conferences, and technical working groups related to development finance and fiscal governance in Africa. Support advocacy efforts for global financial architecture reforms that enhance Africa’s access to concessional financing and innovative finance mechanisms. Internal Coordination & Strategic Advisory (40%) Serve as a resource for foundation teams to ensure coordination and alignment of global, regional, and country-level fiscal policy initiatives. Represent DPAF at relevant Africa team meetings, working groups, and task forces. Provide strategic input to foundation leadership, preparing briefing notes, background research, and event coordination support. Project manage internal foundation processes to update leadership on development finance trends for Africa including managing input and research products from partners and external consultants. Your Experience
Master’s degree in economics, finance, public policy, international development, or a related field. 7+ years of experience in development policy, with at least 2+ years of experience working in African countries. Proven experience engaging with African ministries of finance, central banks, or economic planning institutions on fiscal and economic policy. Strong understanding of domestic resource mobilization, tax policy, budget processes, and public expenditure management in Africa. Experience working with think tanks, international donors, or regional development institutions on economic and fiscal policy and governance issues. Strong research, analytical, writing, and public presentation skills with the ability to synthesize complex policy issues. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines, and collaborate effectively across teams. Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. Salary ranges: The salary range for this role is $169,700 to $254,500 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle, WA, and Washington, DC, where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $185,000 to $277,400 USD. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process. 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.
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