Senior Communications Officer, Nigeria

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 Communications Division, led by the Chief Communications Officer, oversees the foundation’s global communications strategy. The division brings together internal and external communications to advance the foundation’s mission to create a more equitable world. 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 a) 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. b) 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. Application deadline: 25 March 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 We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for all candidates. If you have a disability or medical condition and need an accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process—such as an ASL interpreter, alternative interview format, or physical accessibility support—we’re happy to help. Please contact HR@gatesfoundation.org with the position number and a brief description of your accommodation needs. Requests will be handled confidentially. 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.