Gates Foundation Program Officer, Development Policy and Finance 2026: Salary Up to $235,900 in Washington, DC
The Gates Foundation is inviting applications for the position of Program Officer, Development Policy and Finance (12-Month Limited-Term Employment) in Washington, DC, United States. This is an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals in development finance, economic policy, international development and financial sector development to contribute to global efforts to reduce poverty and inequality.
The successful candidate will support the Foundation’s Development Policy and Finance team, contributing to economic research, innovative financing initiatives, investment portfolio management and policy development. The role will involve working with governments, development finance institutions, multilateral development banks, investors and other international partners.
The position offers a competitive annual salary of up to $235,900, depending on qualifications, experience and expertise.
Job Overview
- Position: Program Officer, Development Policy and Finance
- Organisation: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Job Reference: B021834
- Location: Washington, DC, USA
- Job Type: Full-time
- Employment Duration: 12-month limited-term employment
- Salary: $157,300–$235,900 per year (Washington, DC salary range)
- Application Deadline: 11 November 2027, according to the vacancy announcement.
About the Gates Foundation
The Gates Foundation is one of the world’s largest nonprofit organisations, working to fight poverty, disease and inequality. Its mission is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life.
The Foundation works with governments, businesses, nonprofit organisations and international development partners to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Development Policy and Finance team forms part of the Foundation’s Global Policy and Advocacy division. It uses economic analysis, development finance expertise and policy research to inform the Foundation’s investments, strategies and engagement with international institutions.
Its work covers development assistance, sovereign debt, fiscal policy, domestic resource mobilisation, multilateral development banks and innovative financing.
Key Responsibilities
The Program Officer will work across the Foundation’s Policy Function and innovative financing portfolio.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Economic and Policy Research
- Conduct economic research, quantitative analysis and literature reviews.
- Respond to policy and analytical requests from Foundation leadership and programme teams.
- Research blended finance, local currency financing, capital market development and sovereign financing.
- Prepare policy briefs, investment memoranda, presentations and analytical reports.
- Translate complex economic information into clear recommendations for senior decision-makers.
2. Investment Portfolio Management
- Support the management of grants and investments within the innovative financing portfolio.
- Participate in investment concept development and due diligence.
- Review budgets, proposals and results frameworks.
- Monitor investment performance and identify emerging risks.
- Support grant reporting, monitoring and close-out processes.
3. Innovative Financing and Transaction Support
- Analyse financial models, transaction structures and term sheets.
- Assess financial instruments, including guarantees, first-loss capital and securitisation.
- Work with investors, transaction advisers and development finance partners.
- Support transactions from initial concept through to completion.
4. Knowledge Management and Data Analysis
- Develop and maintain policy knowledge products, datasets, analytical tools and reference materials.
- Improve internal research and reporting processes.
- Support the management of the Foundation’s SharePoint knowledge platform.
- Use AI-assisted research and knowledge-management tools where appropriate.
- Support data preparation, analysis and visualisation using Microsoft tools, including Power BI and Azure Databricks where relevant.
5. Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
- Build relationships with development finance institutions and multilateral development banks.
- Engage investors, co-funders and other development partners.
- Represent the Foundation in relevant working groups and international meetings.
- Coordinate with regional and programme teams to align financing initiatives with health and agriculture priorities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should have relevant academic qualifications and professional experience in development finance, investment, financial sector development or economic policy.
The Foundation is looking for candidates who meet one of the following academic and experience requirements:
- An advanced degree in economics, finance, public policy, international development or a related discipline, ideally with substantive economics coursework, and at least six years of relevant professional experience; or
- A bachelor’s degree and at least eight years of relevant professional experience.
Candidates should also demonstrate:
- Understanding of development finance institutions and multilateral development banks.
- Knowledge of blended finance, impact investing and local capital markets.
- Familiarity with sovereign and sub-sovereign financing.
- Experience managing complex projects and investment portfolios.
- Strong quantitative research and analytical skills.
- Advanced Excel skills and the ability to interpret financial and economic data.
- Excellent report writing, editing and presentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
- Experience working in or with Sub-Saharan Africa and/or South Asia.
Experience in health or agriculture is an advantage.
Preferred Skills
Additional advantages include:
- Experience managing or administering SharePoint sites.
- Familiarity with AI-assisted research and analytical tools.
- Experience with Power BI and Azure Databricks.
- Knowledge of information management, data visualisation and automated reporting workflows.
Salary and Benefits
The Gates Foundation offers a competitive salary and comprehensive employee benefits.
The advertised salary ranges are:
- General salary range: $143,000–$214,400 annually.
- Washington, DC salary range: $157,300–$235,900 annually.
New employees are typically appointed between the minimum and midpoint of the relevant salary range. Final compensation depends on experience, skills and qualifications.
Benefits include:
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage with no employee premiums.
- Generous paid time off.
- Paid family leave.
- Foundation-funded retirement contributions.
- Regional holidays.
- Employee communities and professional development opportunities.
- Additional family and wellness benefits.
Employment Duration and Work Authorisation
This is a full-time, 12-month limited-term position. The appointment will not extend beyond 31 December 2027.
The successful candidate will work in a hybrid arrangement from the Foundation’s Washington, DC office.
Important: Applicants must already have unrestricted work authorisation in the United States. The Gates Foundation does not provide immigration sponsorship or other immigration-related support for this position.
Relocation assistance will not be provided.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official Gates Foundation careers website.
Applicants should review the full vacancy announcement and ensure they meet the academic, professional experience and US work-authorisation requirements before applying.
Application deadline: 11 November 2027, as stated in the vacancy announcement.
Job reference: B021834
Deadline note: The supplied vacancy announcement lists 11 November 2027 as the closing date, although it describes the position as posted recently in November 2026. Applicants should confirm the deadline on the official careers portal before applying.
