Senior Program Officer, Novel Technologies – Regional & Transboundary Policy (Africa)

Your Experience

• Advanced degree in public policy, law, international relations, global health, or related field
  
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in policy, governance, advocacy transboundary governance
  
• Demonstrated experience working across multiple African countries, including East and West Africa
  
• Proven track record of engaging governments, regional institutions and high-level stakeholders
  
• Experience operating in complex, politically sensitive, multi-country environments
  
• Experience within African Union institutions or AU-affiliated bodies
  
• Senior experience within a Regional Economic Community (e.g., EAC, ECOWAS, IGAD), particularly in regional policy coordination, policy harmonization or cross-border governance.
  

What You’ll Do

Transboundary Policy, Governance & Political Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of strategy on cross-border policy, governance and political alignment for emerging health technologies
  
• Translate complex scientific, regulatory and governance dynamics into clear policy, advocacy, and political strategies that support cross-country alignment and decision-making
  
• Identify and address political economy dynamics, cross-border risks, and regional sensitivities that influence adoption and coordination
  

Engagement with AU, Regional Economic Communities, and Transboundary Authorities

In partnership with the IDEV team, Lead engagement with:

• African Union and AU-affiliated institutions (including AUDA-NEPAD)
  
• Regional Economic Communities (EAC, ECOWAS, IGAD, and others)
  
• Regional policy and coordination platforms relevant to cross-border governance
  
• Engage with and strengthen transboundary governance mechanisms tied to shared ecosystems and cross-border dynamics (e.g., basin authorities, Great Lakes regional platforms, and other shared-resource governance bodies)
  
• Facilitate high-level regional dialogue, agenda setting and policy alignment processes
  

National Engagement & Cross-Border Coordination

• Engage governments, ministries and regional actors to support alignment and confidence in cross-border policy environments
  

Support countries in navigating:

• Emerging cross-border policy challenges
  
• Precedent-setting governance questions
  
• Coordination with neighboring jurisdictions
  
• Support confidence building among policymakers and regional stakeholders on complex and emerging cross-border issues, in coordination with IDEV and technical partners
  

Technical Leadership in Emerging Technology Governance

• Serve as the Foundation's regional strategic adviser on policy and governance considerations for emerging technologies
  
• Maintain strong understanding of regulatory and scientific considerations to inform policy and political strategy
  
• Translate complex scientific issues into clear, actionable policy and advocacy options
  
• Contribute to regional and global dialogue on emerging technology governance and cross-border policy frameworks
  

Policy Advocacy & Political Engagement

• Provide strategic advice on political economy dynamics affecting cross-border technologies
  
• Develop and deliver briefings and engagement strategies for senior policymakers, regional leaders and regional influencers
  
• Support efforts to strengthen African leadership, ownership and coordination in regional and global policy discussions
  

Strategy, Grantmaking & Internal Leadership

• Lead and manage a portfolio of investments that advance policy, advocacy, and transboundary coordination objectives
  
• Shape and guide implementing partners and platforms working on regional and cross-border issues
  
• Develop high-quality briefs, insights, and strategic recommendations for Foundation leadership
  
• Support internal alignment across teams and contribute to overall strategy development for emerging technologies
  

Cross-Foundation Collaboration

• Collaborate across technical, regulatory, advocacy, and communications teams to ensure integrated strategy and execution
  
• Work in close collaboration with IDEV, ensuring that policy, political engagement and regional coordination efforts complement (and do not duplicate) regulatory strategy and implementation activities.
  
• Serve as a key connector between global teams, Africa regional teams, and external partners
  
• Align efforts across multiple countries and institutions to drive coherent regional outcomes