$100K+ Literacy Role in Nairobi: Gates Foundation Seeks Education Leaders.The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is seeking a Senior Program Officer (SPO) for Literacy to lead high-impact education initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa and India. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, this role offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including comprehensive healthcare, generous leave policies, and foundation-paid retirement. If you have 10+ years of experience in early-grade literacy programs, expertise in education system strengthening, and a passion for evidence-based solutions, apply by July 25, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to shape literacy policies, manage a multimillion-dollar grant portfolio, and drive measurable improvements in foundational learning outcomes.
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Position Overview
Key Details
✔ Job Title: Senior Program Officer, Literacy
✔ Location: Nairobi, Kenya (flexibility for other African offices)
✔ Division: Global Growth & Opportunity (GGO) – Global Education
✔ Contract Type: Full-time
✔ Application Deadline: July 25, 2025
Compensation & Benefits
💰 Competitive salary (aligned with global nonprofit standards)
🏥 Premium-free medical, dental, and vision coverage
🌍 30% travel across Sub-Saharan Africa
📅 Generous paid leave + family leave
💼 Foundation-paid retirement contributions
Background & Impact
The Challenge
- 89% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot read by age 10
- 70% in low-income countries lack basic literacy skills
- Systemic gaps in teacher training, curricula, and learning materials
The Foundation’s Work
The Global Education Team focuses on:
✔ Evidence-based literacy & numeracy interventions
✔ Government system strengthening
✔ Scalable, cost-effective solutions
$100K+ Literacy Role in Nairobi: Gates Foundation Seeks Education Leaders
Your Role’s Impact
As the SPO for Literacy, you will:
- Design research-backed literacy programs
- Influence national education policies
- Secure philanthropic partnerships for scale
Key Responsibilities
1. Program Design & Grant Management (40%)
✔ Lead a portfolio of literacy investments ($5M–$20M+)
✔ Review proposals, evaluate impact, and recommend funding
✔ Ensure alignment with government priorities
2. Research & Evidence Generation (30%)
✔ Commission applied research on effective pedagogy
✔ Analyze real-time data to refine interventions
✔ Disseminate findings to ministries, NGOs, and donors
3. Partnership Development (20%)
✔ Engage ministries of education in 2–3 focus countries
✔ Collaborate with UN agencies, NGOs, and philanthropies
✔ Build local research capacity
4. Thought Leadership (10%)
✔ Represent the foundation at regional forums
✔ Advocate for evidence-based literacy policies
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
✅ Master’s degree in Education, International Development, or related field
Experience
✔ 10+ years in education program leadership
✔ Proven track record in early-grade literacy interventions
✔ Experience managing large-scale grants (donor or implementer side)
Skills
✔ Fluency in English (French highly preferred)
✔ Data-driven decision-making
✔ Stakeholder engagement (governments, NGOs, researchers)
Preferred Attributes
- Work experience in francophone Africa
- Familiarity with education technology (EdTech)
Why Join?
🌍 Shape education systems across Africa & South Asia
💡 Work with world-class researchers & policymakers
🤝 Lead high-visibility partnerships (e.g., UNICEF, World Bank)
How to Apply
- Prepare:
- CV highlighting literacy program experience
- Cover Letter aligning with Global Ed’s mission
- Submit Online:
- Visit Gates Foundation Careers
- Search for Job ID: B021067
- Selection Process:
- Case study assessment
- Panel interview
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