Global Policy & Advocacy is the political, economic and partnerships division of the Gates Foundation and is a division that works with all of the foundation’s programmatic areas. 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 public, private and philanthropic partners in our shared 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.
Your Role:
As an Associate Program Officer (APO), you will play a crucial role in supporting the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, managing grants, and coordinating relationships with key external partners. You will provide essential research, data analysis, and technical guidance to inform decision-making processes and ensure the foundation’s strategic objectives are met across South and Southeast Asia.
What You’ll Do:
Investment and Grant Management:
Review letters of inquiry and grant proposals, providing clear, concise, and insightful written analyses and recommendations for funding.
Draft and edit proposal summaries and progress reports for foundation leadership.
Lead a portfolio of grants and contracts, ensuring compliance with foundation policies and supporting grantees in achieving their desired impact.
Conduct site visits where appropriate, convene meetings, and evaluate performance against milestones.
Advocacy Strategy & Partnership Development:
Collaborate with program teams and external partners to develop workplans and strategies that align with foundation goals, especially in government relations and policy engagement.
Engage with diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and multilateral organizations, to advance shared advocacy objectives.
Research, Analysis, & Communication:
Conduct research and write briefs on key topics, synthesizing literature to inform internal strategies and external communications.
Provide leadership with timely data and reports on grantee progress and results.
Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the alignment of strategies and effective communication of goals.
Cross-team Collaboration:
Work closely with internal teams and external partners to strengthen foundation activities and ensure the effective implementation of integrated strategies.
Support the Senior Program Officer in building and maintaining high-quality relationships with advocacy partners in South/Southeast Asia, with a focus on achieving program and policy goals.
Your Experience:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in public policy, international relations, international development, or a related field.
Strong project management skills with experience in grant or portfolio management.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information.
Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, both internal and external, to achieve shared objectives.
Experience working with or within government or advocacy organizations is a plus.
Knowledge of global health, development, or advocacy issues in South/Southeast Asia is desirable.
