Policy and Advocacy Officer, Special Initiatives The Bill & Melinda Gates Found

Received 10/27/08

Please pass along to whomever might find of interest. L.

Policy and Advocacy Officer, Special Initiatives The Bill & Melinda Gates Found

Seattle, WA

Website:
http://www.gatesfoundation.org

Compensation:
Salary commensurate with experience

Contact Information:
Human Resource
Email:
R7667252906959@posttrak.arbita.net


Description:
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people - especially those with the fewest resources - have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H.
Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Nearly 2.5 billion people live on less than $2 a day. For one person in eight, hunger is a constant, potentially deadly, companion. The vast majority of the poor also lack access to the most basic financial services and only a tiny minority have access to the Internet. The foundation's Global Development Program is working with motivated partners to create opportunities for people to lift themselves out of poverty and hunger. Our strategy is focused. Because most of the world's poorest people rely directly on agriculture, we support efforts to help small farmers improve crop production and market access. Because loans, insurance, and savings can help people weather setbacks and build assets, we facilitate access to financial services for the poor. And because information can change lives, we support free public access to computers connected to the Internet. We also support a range of learning opportunities, including potential new areas of long-term giving, and we respond to emergencies through our Special Initiatives grantmaking.
Working closely with the Director and the Deputy Director for Global Development Policy and Advocacy, the Policy and Advocacy Officer for Special Initiatives will:


-- Work with representatives of the Special Initiative teams to develop and implement appropriate advocacy strategies in areas such as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Urban Poverty, and Global Libraries.
-- Help analyze and evaluate partnership and alliance opportunities to increase resources for and attention to Special Initiatives. This includes building and tracking efforts that offer compelling evidence, promote policies, boost political will and bring new resources in support of achieving programmatic goals.
-- Research and analyze financial flows, decision making, and regulatory structures relevant to the broader work of the program to help determine best methods for achieving advocacy goals to deliver program priorities.


-- Track current global, regional and national economic, political, social, and other trends important to inform grantmaking to existing and future regions and countries where Special Initiatives works.
-- Play a coordinating role with program officers to manage the implications of current and potential grants for wider foundation relationships and growing partnerships with governments, intergovernmental bodies, and other partners.


-- Identify, develop and oversee individual advocacy-related program grants and contracts related to achieving advocacy goals on key issues.
-- Work with other Policy and Advocacy officers to track and measure impact of advocacy activities to help guide strategic decisions and resource allocation.


-- Draft short issue briefs related to advocacy as needed for senior foundation leadership including the President, CEO and co-chairs.


-- Coordinate with other members of the Policy and Advocacy team, serving as the focal point for external relations and communications services. Act as first point of contact for the program teams.
-- Take on other tasks as needed, including in the-- An advanced degree in public policy, international relations, economic development or a related field.
-- At least 10 years experience using a broad range of advocacy tools, e.g. issue campaigns, government relations, elite education and mobilization, messaging and media, etc.
-- Prefer significant experience working in a developing country and/or closely with partners, including governments in developing countries, bilateral and multilateral donors, and major civil society actors.
-- Demonstrated knowledge of the substantive areas of interest to the Special Initiatives program.


-- The ability to meet deadlines.
-- An ability to work as part of a team and across diverse program areas.
-- Strong public presentation skills and ability to develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with policy partners (e.g. Thinks tanks, advocacy groups, other funders, and other development players).
-- Excellent oral and written communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to create persuasive and clear oral and written communications.
-- A professional demeanor and sensitivity to social practices in other cultures.
-- The ability to stay calm and poised under pressure and remain focused in a rapidly changing environment.
-- Demonstrated initiative to solve problems with high energy and a positive attitude.
-- Demonstrated commitment to the foundation's core values, mission, and programs and to serving our grantees.
-- The highest personal and professional integrity along with a sense of humor.
-- Ability to travel up to 25%. Position is based in Seattle, WA. As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background check.