Senior Officer, Advocacy, International Relations and Policy Planning

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

. Translate foundation strategies and priorities into policy-relevant arguments and advocacy opportunities across priority IRPP markets, including Canada and the UN .

Posted 11/5/2026full-timeSeattle • Washington • United StatesSenior💰 $234,000 - $362,800 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in advocacy and public policy, with a strong ability to translate complex global health strategies into actionable policy proposals. Proven track record in leading initiatives, managing external partnerships, and delivering high-quality analysis within the political ecosystem of Canada and the UN.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Advocacy ExperiencePublic Policy DevelopmentGlobal Health KnowledgeContract ManagementStrategic Direction

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Policy Argument DevelopmentMarket-Specific ProposalsImplementation PlanningPolitical Economy AssessmentBudget Management

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsCollaborative TeamworkAnalytical ThinkingPersuasive SynthesisLeadership in Ambiguity

Certifications & Qualifications

Advanced Degree

Industry Keywords

Global HealthDevelopment PolicyMultilateral EngagementUN SystemMaternal and Child Survival

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Translate foundation strategies and priorities into policy-relevant arguments and advocacy opportunities across priority IRPP markets, including Canada and the UN
Lead special advocacy initiatives to advance maternal and child survival through sport and new partnerships
Support advocacy related to global AI governance
Lead development of a strategic approach to leverage sport to advance maternal and child survival
Operationalize new ideas and engagement models, connecting efforts and learning across IRPP markets
Lead an emerging initiative to build a global political coalition supporting maternal and child survival through a new partnership
Shape advocacy approaches, develop relationships with new champions, and connect initiatives to foundation and market priorities
Partner with program, policy, communications, and other teams to align priorities and coordinate shared work
Assess political economy, institutional mandates, priorities, capabilities, and constraints in Canada and the UN ecosystem
Identify market opportunities and develop market-specific policy proposals, arguments, and concrete asks
Support broader policy and development architecture work, including global cooperation trends and system reforms
Engage and manage external partners and consultants
Develop scopes of work, manage contracts, oversee deliverables and budgets, and coordinate with internal teams

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of experience in advocacy, government relations, public policy, multilateral engagement, or strategy
Experience translating complex global health or development strategies into clear policy arguments, market-specific asks, and practical advocacy approaches
Ability to craft big-picture strategic direction and develop and execute flexible, practical implementation plans
Experience engaging external partners and managing contracts, including scopes of work, budgets, timelines, and deliverables
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to synthesize complex concepts, evidence, political context, and recommendations succinctly and persuasively
Ability to lead ambiguous or emerging workstreams, assess competing priorities, and deliver high-quality analysis and products
Knowledge of global health, Canada’s development policy and political ecosystem, and the UN system would be an asset
Advanced degree is a plus
Highly collaborative, and low ego
Must have unrestricted work authorization in the country where this position is located
Employment contingent upon successful completion of a background check

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums
Generous paid time off
Paid family leave
Foundation-paid retirement contribution
Regional holidays
Opportunities to engage in several employee communities
Salary plus benefits