Gates Foundation Senior Officer Health Systems Strengthening Job 2026
The Gates Foundation is recruiting a Senior Officer, Health Systems Strengthening Delivery Enablement for a 12-month Limited Term Employment (LTE) position based in Nairobi, Kenya.
The full-time position offers an opportunity for an experienced global health professional to manage investments designed to strengthen primary healthcare systems, health financing and service delivery. Applications close on 14 September 2026.
About the Gates Foundation Africa Team
The Gates Foundation works globally to address poverty, disease and inequity and supports efforts aimed at improving health and wellbeing.
The Africa Team focuses on scaling evidence-based interventions addressing diseases and socioeconomic conditions across Sub-Saharan Africa. Its work involves direct engagement with countries to deploy interventions and delivery models, while also building partnerships that can help successful approaches reach multiple countries.
What Does the Senior Officer Do?
The Senior Officer will develop and manage a portfolio of grants and contracts aimed at improving primary healthcare through health systems design and financing.
The position combines programme management, research, analysis, partnership development and strategic communication.
Key responsibilities include:
- Negotiating, executing and managing complex grants and performance-based contracts.
- Reviewing grant proposals and providing funding recommendations.
- Working with grantees and partners to maximize programme impact.
- Supporting the development and implementation of health systems strategies.
- Managing relationships with government counterparts.
- Monitoring sub-awardee performance, budgets, deliverables and compliance.
- Coordinating implementation across multiple subnational locations.
- Supporting strategic reviews through evidence, data and results-oriented narratives.
The successful candidate will also work across disease-specific technical teams to ensure health systems investments translate into measurable improvements in service delivery.
Health Systems and Data Expertise
A significant component of the position involves analysing complex health systems challenges.
Candidates should have working knowledge of national health information and financial management systems, including examples such as DHIS2, PlanRep, FFARS and eLMIS.
The role requires an understanding of how interoperability between these systems can support better performance management and evidence-based decision-making.
The Senior Officer will also help develop evidence and data packages for high-level strategic reviews and ensure that investments remain aligned with the foundation’s strategy.
Who Can Apply?
The Gates Foundation is looking for an experienced professional with an advanced degree or equivalent demonstrated experience, preferably in medicine, public health or a related field.
Applicants should have at least 10 years of experience spanning both the public health and health development sectors, preferably with a bilateral or multilateral global health organization.
Experience in the following areas is particularly relevant:
- Health systems strengthening
- Health financing
- Health policy
- Health insurance and pooling
- Benefits packages
- Health technology assessment
- Strategic purchasing
- Complex project management
Candidates should also demonstrate strong analytical, writing and communication skills, together with an understanding of how to develop sustainable and scalable ventures.
Location, Travel and Work Authorization
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya and is a full-time role.
The vacancy states that the position is a 12-month limited-term role, specifically framed as backfill coverage for the incumbent.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country where the position is based and must not require current or future visa sponsorship.
The role may require up to 60% domestic and international travel to support business needs. The vacancy also states that approximately 60% of the position’s scope is Tanzania-specific, with limited time allocated to other countries as assigned.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is:
14 September 2026
Applicants should review the complete vacancy requirements before applying and ensure they meet the work authorization and experience requirements.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can submit their applications through the official Gates Foundation recruitment portal.
Position: Senior Officer, Health Systems Strengthening Delivery Enablement
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 12 months LTE
Job Requisition: B021754
Deadline: 14 September 2026
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
This opportunity is particularly relevant to senior global health, health systems, health financing and development professionals with substantial experience managing complex programmes and partnerships across Africa.
