Principal Officer (Advisor), Programmatic Impact

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

As part of the Global Development Division, the Global Health Agencies and Funds (GHAF) team leads the strategic relationships and drives the engagements on governance, strategy, operational effectiveness and programmatic impact with several of the foundation’s key global health institutions (GHIs): UNICEF, WHO, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria (Global Fund), UNITAID, and through the Islamic Development Bank – the Lives and Livelihoods Fund, and through the World Bank – the Global Financing Facility (GFF). We engage with leaders of these institutions, participate in governance through membership on boards and committees and in advisory groups, and make investments to improve the operational effectiveness of the institutions and the impact of their programs.

Your Role

We seek an experienced professional to serve as Principal Officer (Advisor), Programmatic Impact within the GHAF team. The primary purpose of the role is to strengthen the foundation’s programmatic collaborations with the Global Fund and WHO, in support of effective implementation of our institutional engagement strategies. The postholder will develop close and strong internal foundation relationships and collaboration with senior members of Program Strategy Teams (PSTs), in particular HIV, TB, Malaria, and the Africa Regional Office (ARO) health team. Through this they will provide advice and support for effective execution of programmatic investments and collaborations with the Global Fund and WHO, and associated partners, and between these institutions. You will maintain active relationships with disease and technical teams in the Global Fund and WHO and represent GHAF in relevant technical committees and groups. The role is based at the foundation office in London, and reports to the Director of GHAF, in close collaboration with Deputy Directors responsible for the Global Fund and WHO.

What You’ll Do

• Active collaboration with Directors and Deputy Directors, and relevant team members, in particular the HIV, TB, Malaria, MNCH, and ARO health teams, to inform their programmatic strategies and execution in relation to the Global Fund and WHO.
• Advise PSTs making programmatic investments with/in or in relation to the Global Fund and WHO, including reviewing investments on behalf of GHAF at grant development stages.
• In collaboration with nominated GHAF SPOs, identify and develop co‑investment opportunities between GHAF and PSTs/ARO for investments in relation to Global Fund and WHO, including where technical collaboration between those institutions is necessary.
• Participation in meetings to track the implementation of PST investments with the Global Fund and WHO.
• Maintain active relationships with the disease and technical teams in the Global Fund (SID, TAP and with key leaders within GMD) and WHO (Directors and Unit Heads), in support effective collaboration with foundation programmatic teams.
• Participate in disease situation rooms (alongside PST representation), on behalf of GHAF, to inform foundation engagement and positions with the Global Fund and WHO.
• Engage and build collaboration with donor counterparts with significant programmatic investments (including ‘set‑asides’), especially in HIV, TB and Malaria, with the Global Fund and WHO.
• Represent the foundation on the Global Fund’s Grant Approvals Committee, including active outreach/consultation with PSTs/ARO, and reporting out on key issues.
• Initiate and manage quarterly meetings between GHAF and PST/ARO directors on priority programmatic and strategic Global Fund issues, including to inform GHAF’s positions in governance that require technical input.
• Provide strategic input on Global Fund committee and board papers, and on WHO programmatic reporting as needed/requested, with a specific focus on KPIs and results reporting.
• Develop short technical papers on disease and cross‑disease issues (e.g. integrated programming) to inform our programmatic and governance positions with the Global Fund and WHO.
• Actively engage in the development and revisions of the foundation’s institutional engagement strategies for the Global Fund and WHO, providing technical and strategic input and leading on consultations with PSTs in specific programmatic areas as identified.

Your Experience

The ideal candidate will have extensive demonstrable experience at a senior level working in international health, with a preference for experience in HIV, TB, and/or malaria. Experience of technical and programmatic leadership and collaboration with or within Global Fund and WHO, at the HQ and country level. Experience in strategy implementation, facilitating change management, identifying, and managing risks, and monitoring and evaluating performance against goals. Experience working in a highly matrixed organization with a clear understanding of key strategic levers and frameworks to help guide and inform organizational decisions. Significant experience cultivating trust and managing relationships to guide situations with flexibility and diplomacy. Expert in developing strong partnerships and relationships inside and outside the organization, managing conflicts, and building consensus. Excellent communications skills, including writing, editing, and verbal communication. Strong skills and experience advocating and communicating with a broad and diverse audience.

Other Attributes

Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behaviour with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity. Ability to travel up to 30% of time internationally.

Application deadline: 28 March 2026

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

We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates. If you have a disability or medical condition and need an accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process—such as an ASL interpreter, alternative interview format, or physical accessibility support—we’re happy to help. Please contact HR@gatesfoundation.org with the position number and a brief description of your accommodation needs. Requests will be handled confidentially.

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.