Role Overview
The Senior Program Officer (SPO), Leadership Engagement and Implementation plays a pivotal role in shaping, coordinating, and executing leadership engagement strategies for the Africa Team. This role is designed to strengthen strategic execution of key leadership engagements, improve coordination across program and functional teams, and ensure that leadership priorities translate into effective action in support of the Deputy Director, Leadership Advising.
In this role, you will oversee the planning, execution, and follow-up of high-level leadership visits, events, and external engagements, working closely with Regional Representatives and program teams to ensure alignment with the foundation’s Africa Team Strategy. You will also support critical partnerships with former heads of state, philanthropists, and other leading champions to advance the foundation’s priorities on the continent.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership Engagement Planning & Delivery
- Lead end-to-end planning, coordination, and execution of high-profile leadership trips and events in priority countries.
- Collaborate with regional representatives to manage logistics, partner engagement, and post-event follow-up.
- Define trip objectives, design itineraries, and develop high-quality briefing materials in coordination with Global Leadership Offices.
- Manage debrief processes and documentation to ensure engagements result in measurable outcomes.
- Identify and mitigate operational, reputational, or political risks associated with leadership engagements.
- Maintain an integrated calendar of planned and potential leadership visits 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 (e.g., AUDA-NEPAD, STBF).
- Deepen collaboration with key partners whose goals align with foundation priorities.
- Represent the foundation in preparatory and coordination meetings.
Investment and Portfolio Management
- Leverage the director’s reserve to develop impactful investments with leading voices on the continent (e.g., Graca Machel Trust).
- Work with global teams to shape and manage investments supporting shared philanthropic objectives in Africa.
- Provide guidance and problem-solving support to partners managing active investments.
Strategic Initiatives & Internal Communications
- Collaborate on establishing an Africa Team onboarding approach aligned with foundation-wide initiatives.
- Support the development and implementation of Africa Team DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) priorities.
- Develop briefing materials and talking points to support the Africa Director’s internal and external engagements.
Knowledge Management & Learning
- Maintain a repository of engagement briefs, trip reports, talking points, and partner intelligence.
- Document and share key lessons, commitments, and strategic follow-up actions across teams.
Requirements
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in international relations, public policy, management, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
- Experience: Minimum 7 years of experience in program management, external relations, or government affairs, ideally within an international development or philanthropic organization.
- Event Management: Proven experience managing high-profile events, official visits, or executive-level stakeholder engagements.
- Collaboration: Demonstrated success in working with government institutions, development partners, and/or civil society.
- Project Leadership: Experience leading cross-functional projects across different geographies.
- Communication: Exceptional writing, editing, and presentation capabilities; ability to craft clear briefing materials.
- Travel: Willingness to travel domestically and occasionally internationally (up to 25%).
Skills & Attributes
- Strategic thinker with excellent planning and execution discipline.
- Diplomatic and culturally sensitive; confident engaging with senior leaders and public officials.
- Strong collaboration and influence skills across teams and cultures.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and virtual collaboration platforms.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
.jpg){kind=logo}
