The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofit\u00a0fighting 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\u00a0greater diversity, equity, and inclusion \u2014 of voices, ideas, and approaches \u2014 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 full healthcare premiums coverage, generous paid time off, contribution to your retirement fund, several employee communities, and a commitment to embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into 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.\u00a0 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.
Group Summary
The North America Team develops and implements policy, advocacy, communications and government relations strategies to build political support and advance domestic and global programmatic priorities that are funded by, or implemented 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 Office (SPO), US Federal Government Relations, will be responsible for developing and implementing an advocacy strategy to advance key foundation priorities in global health, particularly R&D. \u00a0The person in this role will help articulate and drive USG-specific outcomes, working in consultation with the foundation\u2019s GH and broader GPA Health R&D division staff to support the foundation\u2019s overall global health R&D strategy, with a focus on securing USG funding and removing policy barriers so that:
- The GH R&D ecosystem is accountable for prioritizing and developing products with highest impact, in line with low- and middle-income country (LMIC) need and demand;
- Safe and quality products that LMICs need make it to market efficiently; and
- Over time, the GH R&D ecosystem is more equitable and inclusive with emphasis on enhancing LMIC-based innovation and LMIC\u2019s ability to manage access
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.\u00a0 The SPO will also manage one or more portfolio of grants and contracts requiring high-level grant management skills, monitoring and evaluation.\u00a0Finally, 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.\u00a0 As a key advisor on strategy, the SPO will contribute to the continued development of the team\u2019s 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, as well as expertise in global health R&D. \u00a0They 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\u2019s global health and global health R&D 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 global health R&D 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: \u00a0Deputy Director, US 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 global health R&D and priorities; preferred expertise in or with the USG agencies with responsibilities related to health R&D (such as NIH, FDA, USAID, OMB, NSC) and/or related relevant congressional authorizing and funding committees
- Recognized internally and externally by professionals on the Hill or in the Executive Branch as an expert in how the US government plans for and implements its global health-related R&D agenda
- 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 global health and development issues
- Ability to synthesize and share political intelligence in a clear, succinct manner
- Dedication to working as part of a highly collaborative team
*Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
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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\u2019re 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\u2014in race, gender, age, cultures and beliefs\u2014and 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.