Senior Officer, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Africa, Europe & Middle East

About the organization

The foundation is a major global nonprofit focused on reducing poverty, disease, and inequity. Its mission is rooted in the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life, regardless of identity or circumstance. The organization also aims to mirror the diversity of the communities it serves and offers a strong benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage with no employee premiums, paid time off, paid family leave, employer-funded retirement contributions, regional holidays, and access to employee communities.

The team

The People team partners strategically across the organization to build a healthy, inclusive, and high-performing workplace. It supports the employee journey from hiring and development to culture, well-being, and mission alignment.

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team, based within the Office of the Chief People Officer, provides organization-wide direction, governance, tools, and resources through advisors, strategists, analysts, communications specialists, project managers, and external consultants. The team’s updated DEI strategy centers on three priorities: strengthening collaboration across differences and contexts, better enabling partnership for impact, and clarifying shared expectations around commitment, accountability, and learning.

Role overview

The Senior Officer, DEI will serve as a subject matter expert leading DEI efforts across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. In this position, you will partner with senior leaders, regional stakeholders, and functional teams to strengthen inclusion and improve the effectiveness of the foundation’s DEI strategy in-country and across the region. You will also create and deliver context-specific DEI content for staff across the organization. The role demands a strong understanding of operational realities in multiple offices, along with close collaboration with senior stakeholders to ensure aligned messaging, cultural sensitivity, and shared expectations. This position reports to the Deputy Director, Global DEI Learning & Development, based in Johannesburg.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the regional DEI expert and provide strategic advice, insights, and support to leaders and teams across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
• Drive the design and execution of DEI strategy and related workstreams, including initiatives tied to leadership and team effectiveness.
• Work with senior leadership, regional leads, and working groups to advance strategic inclusion priorities while staying aligned with the broader foundation approach.
• Embed DEI priorities into operational, talent, and programmatic work by partnering across teams and divisions.
• Provide guidance tailored to local country conditions and broader regional realities.
• Collaborate with internal DEI and people teams, as well as external consultants, to build practical resources and tools.
• Partner with HR Business Partners to strengthen inclusive culture through coaching, toolkits, and structured change efforts.
• Lead the creation and delivery of context-informed DEI learning content and engagement activities that reflect local voices and perspectives.
• Manage external partners, contracts, and portfolio work that support the DEI agenda across the region.

Required experience and qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience in a related discipline, plus at least 10 years of progressively responsible senior-level experience in DEI, inclusion, organizational development, change management, or a similar field.
• Proven experience building and implementing DEI tools, processes, learning plans, and measurement indicators aligned with organizational goals.
• Background in designing and facilitating dialogue sessions, learning programs, and employee engagement initiatives, especially in global settings.
• Ability to earn trust with leaders and employees at all levels and influence behavior and ways of working.
• Strong strategic thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to identify alternatives and adapt quickly under pressure.
• Track record of managing substantial workloads, delivering outcomes, and driving complex initiatives through to completion, including through others.
• Experience working in demanding, collaborative environments with strong diplomacy, humility, and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Strong communication and change management skills, with the ability to connect organizational development to mission and business outcomes.
• Ability to apply inclusion and organizational effectiveness expertise across diverse geographies and cultural settings.
• Cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and a strong commitment to development work and integrity.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the country where the role is based without visa sponsorship.

Hiring requirements

Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Candidate accommodations

The organization is committed to an accessible and inclusive hiring process. Candidates with disabilities or medical conditions can request support at any stage of the application or interview process, including an ASL interpreter, alternative interview format, or physical accessibility assistance. Accommodation requests should be sent confidentially to HR@gatesfoundation.org along with the position number and a brief description of the need.

Inclusion statement

The organization is committed to a workplace that values every person equally and fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion in voices, ideas, and approaches. Employment decisions are made with equal opportunity and fair treatment, regardless of race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or prior protected activity.