Senior Program Officer, Leadership Engagement and Implementation

Your Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, public policy, management, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
  
• Minimum 7 years of experience in program management, external relations, or government affairs, ideally within an international development or philanthropic organization.
  
• Proven experience managing high-profile events, official visits, or executive-level stakeholder engagements.
  
• Demonstrated success in working with government institutions, development partners, and/or civil society.
  
• Experience leading cross-functional projects and coordinating multiple stakeholders across geographies.
  
• Strong communication, analytical, and synthesis skills, with the ability to craft clear and compelling briefing materials.
  
• Strategic thinker with excellent planning and execution discipline.
  
• Diplomatic and culturally sensitive; able to engage confidently with senior leaders and public officials.
  
• Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation capabilities.
  
• Strong collaboration and influence skills across teams and cultures.
  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and virtual collaboration platforms.
  

Other Attributes

• Deep understanding of the policy, political, and development context.
  
• Demonstrated ability to manage complexity with professionalism and sound judgment.
  
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in both approach and action.
  
• Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally (up to 25%).
  

Leadership Engagement Planning & Delivery

• Lead the end-to-end planning, coordination, and execution of high-profile leadership trips and events in priority countries, collaborating with regional representatives across Africa. Responsibilities include preparation, logistics, partner engagement, and post-event follow-up.
  
• Work closely with the Africa Director, Deputy Directors (SPM, Regional Representatives), and Global Leadership Offices to define trip objectives, design itineraries, and develop high-quality briefing materials.
  
• Manage debrief processes, documentation, and follow-up actions to ensure engagements result in sustained relationships and measurable outcomes.
  
• Proactively identify and mitigate operational, reputational, or political risks associated with leadership engagements. Serve as the central point for coordinating leadership engagement across program teams, communications, and country offices.
  
• Ensure all leadership engagements reinforce strategic priorities, government partnership frameworks, and cross-program coordination goals.
  
• Track and synthesize outcomes of leadership engagements to inform strategic decision-making and senior management reporting.
  
• Maintain an integrated calendar of planned and potential leadership visits, events, and external opportunities.
  

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

• Support the Africa Director and Leadership Team in managing external communications and representation during high-level events.
  
• Facilitate internal coordination to present a unified “One Foundation” approach to partners, especially with key organizations such as AUDA-NEPAD, STBF, and other leading institutions.
  
• Identify and pursue opportunities to deepen collaboration with key partners whose goals align with the foundation’s priorities.
  
• Represent the foundation in preparatory and coordination meetings as needed, ensuring alignment and professional representation.
  

Investment and Portfolio Management

• Leverage the director’s reserve to develop and shape impactful investments with leading voices on the continent (e.g., Graca Machel Trust), collaborating closely with team members to advance the foundation’s goals.
  
• Work with PPT and other global teams to shape and manage Africa Team and PPT investments that support shared philanthropic objectives in Africa.
  
• Provide guidance and problem-solving support to partners managing active investments, ensuring delivery of intended impact.
  

Strategic Initiatives Support

• Collaborate with stakeholders responsible for onboarding to establish and implement an Africa Team onboarding approach that aligns with foundation-wide initiatives.
  
• Support the development and implementation of Africa Team DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) priorities, working alongside the Africa DEI council and lead.
  
• Lead the planning and implementation of other strategic initiatives as announced by foundation leadership.
  

Africa Director Internal Communications and Support

• Support the Africa Director’s internal communications through monthly emails and talking points for team engagement forums.
  
• Develop high-quality briefing materials to ensure the Africa Director is well-prepared for internal and external engagements.
  
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure the Africa Director is briefed and supported for external engagements that amplify the foundation’s voice.
  

Knowledge Management & Learning

• Develop and maintain a repository of engagement briefs, trip reports, talking points, and partner intelligence.
  
• Ensure effective information sharing across teams, documenting key lessons, commitments, and strategic follow-up actions.
  
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of leadership engagement processes and tools, ensuring knowledge retention and institutional memory.