Sr. Program Officer

Founded with the mission of Scholarship and Science for Social Change, the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health has been a trailblazer for innovation in the fields of family planning, reproductive health, and population dynamics for more than 20 years. The Institute has a strong track record of positive impact – whether through its support of local partner capacity or translating science and evidence into policies, programs, and practice.

Its continued success hinges on the Institute’s reliance on an expansive global network. Of the more than 370 institutions and local governments the Institute has partnered with since its establishment in 1999, more than 90% are based in the global south. This network allows the Institute to use a synergistic approach to create positive disruptions through its Global Programs.

The Institute features a dynamic, innovative working environment, with opportunities to work with established and emerging leaders across the globe in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equity research, advocacy, and program implementation to contribute at a high level to sustainable, positive change for women and men, communities, and countries. Together with locally based partners across Africa and Southeast Asia, the Institute identifies and acts on ideas with the greatest promise to advance universal, equitable access to SRHR.

For more information about the Institute, it’s global programs and platforms, please visit www.gatesinstitute.org.

The W. H. Gates Institute’s Anchor Team is dedicated to ensuring the achievement of the Institute’s overarching strategic objectives under its five global programs (with gender equity cutting across all of these), especially through the successful execution of the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) platform activities which significantly contribute to the goals of each global program. Since 2009, the ICFP has served as a strategic inflection point for the global reproductive health community, providing a global stage for countries, organizations, and individuals to make important commitments and celebrate achievements as the world’s largest scientific conference on family planning and reproductive health. ICFP is a platform for researchers, advocates, governments, and communities; a movement towards achieving access to family planning for all; and a growing community guided by the spirit of partnership, inclusivity, innovation and scientific rigor. This role will play an integral part in the successful planning and execution of ICFP communications and virtual and in-person meetings and events - culminating with the 5,000-person, hybrid, scientific conference in late 2025 in Africa or Latin America – which will contribute significantly to the Institute’s accomplishment of its major goals.

We are seeking a Sr. Program Officer, Digital Communications, Engagement, and Production who will manage the growing digital communication needs of the W.H. Gates Institute, especially as the Institutes' platform approach is solidified, the size of the International Conference on Family Planning community continues to grow, and the requirements for engagement on all levels becomes more sophisticated. Taking a more strategic approach is essential to communicating with our virtual audiences in meaningful and impactful ways.

This position will serve as the digital communications and engagement lead for W.H. Gates Institute (WHGI) platforms, including co-production of International Conference on Family Planning 2025 (ICFP) and the on-going programming of the Family Planning News Network (FPNN).

This position will be at the forefront of steering and monetizing the Institute's digital communication and engagement initiatives as well as being responsible for the identification, development, and management of the mix of digital content, platforms, and approaches to cater to WHGI's growing platform needs to engage broader communities. This position will prioritize developing cutting-edge solutions and help to stay up to date on digital trends to help ensure that the Institute’s overall strategic goals are met.

This job will require travel to the 2025 ICFP and may require other domestic and international travel.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Communications, Planning, & Leadership

• Digital Communication Planning: Provide support to the multiple W.H. Gates Institute platforms with strategic digital communication support.
• WHGI-wide Virtual Event Strategy: Develop an Institute-wide solution to hosting virtual events.
• ICFP 2025 Digital Strategy and Hybrid Conference Planning: Develop and operationalize a digital strategy for ICFP 2025, includi