Senior Program Officer, DPI

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, deserve the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the organization emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for community engagement. The organization is committed to fostering a workplace environment that supports both personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Officer, DPI, will play a crucial role in the Global Growth & Opportunity (GGO) division, which aims to catalyze sustainable socio-economic change. This position involves collaborating strategically to co-develop and manage portfolios of grants and contracts that require grant management skills, monitoring, and evaluation to support the development and scaling of Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The officer will serve as a technical advisor to other foundation programs implementing solutions with a DPI approach, working closely with a diverse range of internal teams, technical partners, and governments. The role demands international experience, strategy development, and partnership building, with a focus on achieving the foundation's strategic vision.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will be responsible for co-developing, managing, and executing a portfolio of relationships, grants, and contracts to advance DPIs. This includes applying a rapid risk-adjusted approach to develop a portfolio-level strategy, negotiating and managing complex grants, consulting with internal and external stakeholders, and advising foundation leadership. The officer will represent the foundation to external constituencies, work with partner organizations to support data-driven decision-making, provide technical expertise to other programs, and contribute to building a cohesive team focused on innovation and sustainability. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree and have at least 10 years of demonstrated experience in a senior technical advisory role, particularly in Africa. They should have a deep understanding of the DPI ecosystem, including key trends and barriers, and experience with social impact investing. The ability to collaborate effectively in a matrixed organization, manage grant portfolios, and produce high-quality outputs is essential. Excellent strategic thinking and communication skills are required, with proficiency in English being mandatory and French being advantageous.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree is required for this position, which should be complemented by extensive experience in relevant fields such as technology, government, consultancy, or NGOs. The educational background should ideally align with the technical and strategic demands of the role, particularly in relation to digital public infrastructure and socio-economic development.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior technical advisory role, with a focus on DPIs in low- and middle-income countries. Experience in managing grant portfolios and understanding the role of donors in advancing DPI efforts is desirable. The candidate should also have a proven track record of working in diverse cultural and operational contexts, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex environments effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency in French is considered an advantage, as it may enhance collaboration with a broader range of stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and may require travel up to 40% domestically and internationally. The application deadline is set for 20 November 202

• The hiring process will include a background check, and accommodations will be provided for candidates with disabilities. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants.