Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF or the Gates Foundation) is the largest private foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. It was launched in 2000 and is said to be the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world. The primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and in America, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology. The foundation, based in Seattle, Washington, is controlled by its three trustees: Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. Other principal officers include Co-Chair William H. Gates, Sr. and Chief Executive Officer Susan Desmond-Hellmann. It had an endowment of US$42.3 billion as of 24 November 2014. The scale of the foundation and the way it seeks to apply business techniques to giving makes it one of the leaders in venture philanthropy, though the foundation itself notes that the philanthropic role has limitations.[In 2007, its founders were ranked as the second most generous philanthropists in America, and Warren Buffett the first. As of May 16, 2013, Bill Gates had donated US$28 billion to the foundation.
Your Role
- The Senior Communications Officer, Nigeria will design and deliver integrated communications strategies that strengthen trust in the foundation, enhance its reputation, and deepen engagement with key audiences in Nigeria and across the region.
- This role combines traditional communications responsibilities - including reputation management, crisis response, media and influencer relations, and leadership communications - with strong digital marketing expertise, using data-driven insights, creative content planning and delivery, and audience-first strategies to track and advance communications goals.
- The postholder will work closely with the Africa Regional Communications team, the Global Communications Division, and the Nigeria Country Office leadership, to ensure all strategies are aligned, values-driven, and consistent with the foundation’s global voice.
- The postholder will be based in Abuja, Nigeria, and report to the Deputy Director - Program Advocacy and Communications, Nigeria.
What You’ll Do
- Strategic and Reputation Communications (50%)
- Develop and execute a Nigeria communications strategy that advances the foundation’s priorities, protects its reputation, and drives visibility of its work in partnership with federal and state governments, civil society, and the private sector.
- Lead reputation management and crisis communications, monitoring issues, managing risks, and coordinating timely, values-based responses.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with journalists, editors, and digital influencers to ensure accurate, balanced, and impactful coverage of the foundation’s work.
- Oversee leadership communications, including speeches, op-eds, media interviews, and trip management for senior foundation leaders, ensuring alignment with foundation values and key messages.
- Coordinate press engagements, messaging, and stakeholder communications for leadership visits to Nigeria.
- Collaborate with the Africa Regional Communications team to localize regional campaigns and narratives, and with the Global Communications Division in Seattle, to ensure global consistency and shared learning.
- Partner with external agencies and creative vendors to deliver high-quality materials, events, and campaigns.
- Digital Communications and Marketing (50%)
- Lead and implement a digital-first communications strategy for Nigeria that leverages digital marketing tools, platforms, and analytics to build audience engagement and strengthen trust.
- Design and manage integrated digital campaigns across social media, web, and partner platforms to amplify program and advocacy goals.
- Develop and manage the foundation’s digital presence in Nigeria, ensuring content is engaging, locally relevant, and consistent with global brand standards.
- Oversee the use of SEO/SEM, analytics, CRM tools, and paid media campaigns to drive audience growth and engagement.
- Lead social media management, including content planning, scheduling, monitoring, and community engagement.
- Use data insights and social listening to measure sentiment, inform campaign adjustments, and identify opportunities for proactive storytelling.
- Collaborate with program teams to translate technical and policy work into compelling, human-centered digital content.
- Manage relationships with digital influencers, creative partners, and media platforms to expand the reach and relevance of the foundation’s narratives.
- Foster a digital-first culture across the Nigeria Country Office by mentoring colleagues on best practices in digital communications and analytics.
Coordination and Collaboration
- Work in close partnership with the Africa Regional Communications team to ensure alignment of strategies, messaging, and campaigns across the continent.
- Serve as the primary liaison with the Global Communications Division in Seattle, to coordinate messaging, share insights, and contribute to global initiatives.
- Collaborate across teams - including Policy & Advocacy, Program Strategy, and Government Relations - to ensure communications efforts are fully integrated and strategically aligned.
Your Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field.
- 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, digital marketing, or public affairs roles. Deep understanding of Nigerian/West African media dynamics, context and audiences.
- Proven experience managing cross-channel digital campaigns and leveraging data and analytics for performance optimization.
- Experience with reputation management, media engagement, and leadership communications.
- Track record of collaboration in complex, matrixed, and multicultural organizations.
- Strong experience in communications, digital marketing, and media relations, ideally within international development, philanthropy, or public affairs.
- Proven ability to lead reputation management and crisis response in complex stakeholder environments.
- Expertise in digital strategy, social media marketing, content development, analytics, and digital listening tools.
- Demonstrated success designing and executing integrated campaigns that drive measurable engagement and impact.
- Excellent relationship management skills and strong existing networks within Nigeria’s media and digital ecosystems.
- Experience working across cultures and geographies, with high emotional intelligence and adaptability.
- Skilled at managing multiple projects and partners simultaneously, balancing creativity and execution.
- Exceptional communication, writing, and storytelling abilities in English; French proficiency preferred.
Other Attributes
- Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behaviour with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity.
- Be able to travel up to 25% domestic and internationally
- Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
Method of Application
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