Deputy Director, Economic Opportunity, Nigeria at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

20 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

20 Dec, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Economic Opportunity, Program Management, Agriculture Development, Digital Public Infrastructure, Women's Economic Empowerment, Inclusive Financial Systems, Global Education, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Thinking, People Management, Collaboration, Communication, Problem Solving, Relationship Building, Diversity and Inclusion, Portfolio Management

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

The Foundation We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally. The Team The Africa team works to enable the foundation’s ambitious goals of scaling evidence-based interventions that target a range of disease and socio-economic conditions which are endemic across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The team implements its responsibility through direct country engagement to deploy interventions and delivery models, and by building the partner architecture to replicate successful interventions and models across multiple countries. Your Role The Deputy Director, Economic Opportunity, Nigeria is responsible for supporting the achievement of outcomes across several programmatic areas of the foundation in Nigeria, notably those representing the Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) and Gender Equality (GE) divisions. These will include agriculture development, digital public infrastructure, inclusive financial systems; water, sanitation and hygiene; global education; women’s economic empowerment, and adolescents and social norms. The Deputy Director collaborates closely with colleagues from these program strategy teams (PSTs) to understand and support their programmatic priorities in Nigeria and seek opportunities to further enable impact in these areas. S/he manages staff that are based in the Nigeria Country Office (NCO) from these program teams and ensures strong management and performance. The postholder supports pipeline and portfolio development and provides constructive insight and advice on content and partner engagement. The Deputy Director identifies opportunities for synergy and collaboration to maximize value across these portfolios - where such opportunities exist, will develop and lead such investments. The postholder is a people manager who leads a team of Senior Program Officers and Program Officers. Based at the foundation’s NCO in Abuja, s/he reports to the Nigeria Country Director - with a dotted line to the Director Economic Opportunity Africa - and as a member of the Nigeria Leadership Team, contributes to the strategic and operational performance of the NCO. What you’ll do Under the guidance of the Nigeria Country Director, and in close partnership with Deputy Directors in the country office and other program leads, develop and shape a strategy for economic opportunity in Nigeria that supports the achievement of outcomes set by PSTs, and aligns with the economic opportunity priorities of the country. As needed, support the development and/or refresh of the country strategy and its implementation. Develop, analyze, and manage the landscaping and tracking of portfolios, grantees and partners within the GGO division and GE division in Nigeria. Actively participate in developing and implementing joint workplans with GGO and GE program teams, and using lessons learned and strong voices from Nigeria in regional, continental, and global engagements. Connect the dots and bring synergies by developing an integrated “one foundation” approach across GGO and GE programs that effectively use the strengths and advantages of each program, and yield optimal results for Nigeria. Partner in strategy development, programmatic bodies of work, budget planning and management; develop and implement a portfolio management approach that develops strong stewardship, effective planning, and resource allocation. Represent the foundation to external Nigerian constituencies on topics relating to economic opportunity. This includes both formal and informal presentations such as making speeches, attending conferences and other high-level and coordination meetings as necessary. Participate in meetings with key internal constituencies, including the Chair, CEO, Presidents, and other programmatic team leaders. This includes both formal and informal engagements, working groups, and leadership trips. Serve as a member of the NCO Leadership Team, which includes helping oversee implementation of the Nigeria country strategy, annual partner and donor dialogues/convenings, support to the Director with NCO management, including office staff management, budget, reputation and leadership engagement/trips and strategy reviews. This role leads people and is responsible for hiring and developing the talent needed to achieve our program goals in Nigeria, ensuring successful employee onboarding, communicating performance expectations, creating goal alignment, integrating project and change management, giving, and seeking feedback, providing coaching, measuring progress and holding people accountable, supporting employee development, and recognizing achievement and lessons learned. Ensure that the foundation’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion framework, as well as its gender integration approach, are applied to the economic opportunity portfolio with the purpose of enhancing impact. Other duties as assigned. Experience Advanced degree (e.g. Master’s, MBA, PhD) in a relevant field such as international development, economics, business administration, management, or relevant social sciences is preferable. Minimum of 12 years of professional experience desired, with ideally 8 years in a senior program management capacity, preferably leading large scale multimillion projects across a region or multiple regions in Nigeria. Experience of working in a global organization with a high degree of complexity, would be an advantage. Demonstrated experience managing economic growth programs in at least one of the areas namely: agriculture development; digital public infrastructure; women’s economic empowerment; inclusive financial systems (financial inclusion); and global education. Significant experience working with policymakers and knowledge of major donor and multilateral institutions and priorities working on economic opportunities in Nigeria. Track record of building strong relationships with governments, donors, and the private sector, is critical. In-depth understanding of government, regional and international development organizations in Nigeria, that work in several of the foundation’s key economic opportunity areas (i.e. agriculture development; digital public infrastructure; women’s economic empowerment; inclusive financial systems; global education). A track record of building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared/joint objectives, both internally and externally. Ability to orchestrate effective decisions across a broad range of issues and partners, assess progress, analyze gaps, and make necessary changes. Ability to obtain cooperation from others; seeks and encourages win-win alternatives. Strategic thinking, seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into strategies, concrete theories of change and actions. Ability to think/act like an investor and a creative and generative problem solver. Innovative and open-minded approach; ability to question and challenge colleagues including senior managers and partners in a constructive manner. Managing complexity and ambiguity effectively - Making sense of complex, high quality, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems - especially in managing relations. Demonstrated ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and diplomacy in a complex, fast-paced environment. Solid communication skills, including the ability to communicate in complex situations in a clear and concise manner with broad and diverse audiences. People management skills, including managing teams of impactful self-directed professionals and acting as a partner to team members managing specific portfolios. Ability to influence, expresses own ideas and persuade others; gain support and commitment from others; mobilize people to take action; and achieve effective compromises. Demonstrated ability to synthesize information quickly and thoughtfully from multiple sources for senior leadership briefings and excellent overall writing and communications skills. Fluency in English is required. Other Attributes Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity. Ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally. Application deadline: 9 January 2026 #LI-RT1 Hiring Requirements As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Candidate Accommodations If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here. Inclusion Statement We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices. All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity. Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.

Responsibilities

The Deputy Director is responsible for supporting programmatic outcomes in Nigeria, particularly in areas like agriculture development and women's economic empowerment. This role involves managing staff, developing strategies, and representing the foundation to external constituencies.