Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation : Senior Program Officer, Government and Multilateral Relations and United Nations – New York

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    FULL_TIME
  • Posted:
    2 days ago
  • Category:
    Democracy and Governance, Partnership and Resource Mobilization, Programme and Project Management
  • Deadline:
    03/12/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary

The Senior Program Officer, Government and Multilateral Relations (SPO), United Nations (UN), will be responsible for developing and executing a cross-cutting advocacy strategy to advance key foundation priorities in global health and development. Reporting to the Deputy Director, Global Policy, Strategy & Operations, North America, in this role you will represent the foundation to external constituencies in support of the foundation’s overall policy and advocacy objectives at the UN. This role is based out of our offices in Washington, DC, where our employees work a hybrid schedule. Relocation assistance can be provided for candidates not currently residing in Washington, DC.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

  • Develop, implement, and coordinate a UN global health and development advocacy strategy that aligns with foundation priorities and is operationally integrated with other foundation teams.
  • Identify advocacy opportunities and provide guidance on prioritization for foundation leadership engagement.
  • Contribute to maintaining existing relationships and forming new partnerships with the foundation by reinforcing senior- level relations with key UN officials and UN Member States in New York.
  • Maintain and grow relationships with key UN partners in New York, including civil society organizations, foundations, and other groups.
  • Represent the foundation to key UN constituencies. This could include both formal and informal presentations such as making speeches, attending conferences and other meetings as necessary.
  • Assume primary responsibility for shaping and managing policy and advocacy grants and contracts necessary to achieve UN advocacy goals.
  • Partner with grantees to develop project objectives and define key outcomes and milestones, ensuring that appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems and processes are established to produce robust evaluation of outcomes.
  • Lead ongoing high-quality interactions and clear and consistent communications with grantees and partners.
  • Provide regular updates and political intelligence to North America team, and foundation leadership.
  • Prepare, support, and staff leadership meetings with UN officials, including writing all political intelligence and briefing notes related to the UN.
  • Ability to travel to UN Headquarters in New York, NY (25%).

Qualification, Skill And Experience

  • Advanced degree in related field with 10+ years of experience working in and/or with the United Nations on global health and development issues and/or in a global health and development focused advocacy organization that engages with the United Nations, including Member States
  • Experience working across the UN system including the Secretariat, General Assembly, and agencies or funds.
  • Experience in the conception, design and management of strategies, initiatives and programs related to motivating an enhanced multilateral and/or governmental response.
  • Experience building coalitions within the context of the United Nations.
  • Demonstrated experience designing and delivering impactful engagement programs around high-level summits and events.
  • Demonstrated success in leadership roles developing and managing policy and advocacy organizations, programs, or initiatives.
  • Demonstrated leadership, analytical, and interpersonal, skills.

Other Attributes

  • Ability to speak both English and at least one other official UN language preferred.
  • Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy.
  • High-level of self-awareness, and a low ego approach to work.
  • Ability to navigate complex relationships.
  • Excellent written and communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a highly demanding environment.

 

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 120