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 Global Policy & Advocacy (GPA) division shapes public policy debates, builds partnerships, and supports advocacy efforts to advance our mission. Within GPA, the Development Policy & Finance (DPAF) team focuses on economic and financial expertise to strengthen policy and advocacy strategies across the foundation’s key priorities, including economic growth, public finance management (PFM), and fiscal policy in Africa.Application Deadline: 18/9/25
This position is a limited-term position for 24 months.
Your Role
The Senior Program Officer (SPO), Development Policy and Finance, Africa will support the foundation’s engagement on development finance, fiscal policy, and public financial management (PFM) in Africa, with a focus on Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania as well as on regional/continental issues where relevant. Opportunity for other countries as fits experience. 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, particularly in relation to health outcomes and the foundation’s focus on under-five and maternal mortality.
This role requires a good understanding of Africa’s economic and fiscal policy landscape and practical experience working with African governments, particularly on public financial management and budget policy.
This position reports to the Deputy Director, Advocacy & Communications, and works in close partnership with the Deputy Director, Development Policy & Finance, Country Finance.
The role is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is offered as a 24-month Limited Term Employment (LTE) position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Kenya without visa sponsorship.
What You’ll Do
1. Grant Portfolio & Program Management (30%)
Assist with the management of a portfolio of country finance grants covering economic growth and policy, domestic resource mobilization (DRM), public financial management (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.
2. Development Finance & Public Policy Analysis (30%)
Working closely with the Policy and Advocacy leads in the foundation’s priority countries, conduct policy analysis on public financial management (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 Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Engage with think tanks, universities, and policy institutions to translate economic research into actionable policy recommendations.
3. 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.
4. Internal Coordination & Strategic Advisory (20%)
Serve as a resource for foundation teams to ensure coordination and alignment of global, regional, and country-level fiscal policy initiatives.
Work alongside DPAF colleagues to represent the team 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.
Other Attributes
Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship
This position is a limited-term position for 24 months
Skilled in various cultural, geographic, and operational settings, demonstrating cultural sensitivity with diverse groups and strong dedication to development and personal integrity.
Ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally
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.