Program Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Gates Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty, disease, and inequity on a global scale. Founded with the mission that everyone, regardless of their identity or circumstances, should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the foundation emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees to reflect the global populations it serves. The organization 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 employees to engage in various community initiatives. The foundation is committed to fostering an environment that supports both personal and professional growth for its employees.

Job Overview:
The Program Assistant role in Ethiopia is a vital position within the Africa team of the Gates Foundation. This team is focused on achieving collective impact across Africa by influencing policy and finance towards key development priorities. The Program Assistant will play a crucial role in providing organizational and administrative support to the leaders and staff in the Ethiopia office. This includes assisting with project coordination and collaborating with other program assistants to ensure the smooth operation of the Ethiopia Country Office. The position requires a proactive approach to managing multiple tasks and priorities, as well as a commitment to supporting the foundation's goals in areas such as health, nutrition, and economic opportunity. The Program Assistant will report directly to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director of Global Policy and Advocacy, making this a significant role in the foundation's efforts in Ethiopia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including: providing comprehensive administrative support to multiple principals, which involves complex calendar management, international travel coordination, visa processing, expense reporting, and meeting preparation; partnering closely with principals to manage their priorities, anticipate their needs, track commitments, and support key engagements; coordinating events, leadership meetings, retreats, delegations, field visits, and presentations, ensuring all logistics, communications, materials, and stakeholder engagement are effectively managed; serving as a liaison with internal and external partners, including government officials, grantees, consultants, and community leaders; managing records, task-tracking systems, meeting documentation, and knowledge management processes to enhance operational efficiency; proactively resolving issues and managing competing priorities under tight deadlines; leveraging technology and digital tools to streamline workflows; and supporting Program Strategy Teams and leadership during in-country engagements by coordinating logistics and facilitating external partnerships.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree and have at least 3 years of experience providing executive or administrative support to senior leaders, ideally within a global, matrixed, or development-focused environment. They should demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting, showcasing strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, along with exceptional attention to detail. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills in both English and Amharic are essential, as is the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. Candidates must also demonstrate discretion in handling confidential information, adaptability to changing priorities, and the ability to work effectively across cultures and time zones. Strong collaboration skills are necessary, along with experience in supervising or guiding others, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required. Familiarity with AI tools is highly desirable, and knowledge of the Ethiopian business environment is essential.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree is required for this position, which serves as the foundational educational qualification necessary for the role of Program Assistant. This educational background should ideally be complemented by relevant experience in administrative support, particularly in contexts that involve global or development-focused work.

Experience:
The position requires at least 3 years of experience in providing executive or administrative support to senior leaders. This experience should ideally be in a global, matrixed, or development-focused environment, where the candidate has demonstrated the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure. Experience in designing and improving systems and processes to enhance operational efficiency is also beneficial.

Languages:
Proficiency in English and Amharic is mandatory for this position, as these languages are essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders, including senior executives and government officials. Additional language skills may be considered an advantage but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country without the need for visa sponsorship. The role may require travel up to 15% of the time. The hiring process will include a background check, and the foundation is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates, offering accommodations as needed. The foundation values diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity and fair treatment for all applicants.