Senior Program Officer, Novel Technologies – Regional & Transboundary Policy (Africa)

The Senior Program Officer (SPO) will lead the Foundation's work on regional coordination and transboundary policy, and political engagement for novel and emerging health technologies across Africa, with a primary focus on East and West Africa. This role is designed for a senior policy, advocacy and political engagement leader, with deep expertise in biosafety policy, cross-border governance, and regional institutional processes. The SPO will work with national governments, African Union institutions, and Regional Economic Communities to advance regional policy coherence, political coordination, and cross-border governance mechanisms needed to support innovation that operates across borders, while supporting coherent implementation of existing regional policy and regulatory frameworks.

• Lead the development and execution of strategy on cross-border policy, governance and political alignment for emerging health technologies.
• Translate complex scientific, regulatory and governance dynamics into clear policy, advocacy, and political strategies that support cross-country alignment and decision-making.
• Identify and address political economy dynamics, cross-border risks, and regional sensitivities that influence adoption and coordination.
• In partnership with the IDEV team, lead engagement with African Union and AU-affiliated institutions including AUDA-NEPAD, Regional Economic Communities (EAC, ECOWAS, IGAD, and others), and regional policy and coordination platforms relevant to cross-border governance.
• Engage with and strengthen transboundary governance mechanisms tied to shared ecosystems and cross-border dynamics (e.g., basin authorities, Great Lakes regional platforms, and other shared-resource governance bodies).
• Facilitate high-level regional dialogue, agenda setting and policy alignment processes.
• Engage governments, ministries and regional actors to support alignment and confidence in cross-border policy environments.
• Support countries in navigating emerging cross-border policy challenges, precedent-setting governance questions, and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions.
• Support confidence building among policymakers and regional stakeholders on complex and emerging cross-border issues, in coordination with IDEV and technical partners.
• Serve as the Foundation's regional strategic adviser on policy and governance considerations for emerging technologies.
• Maintain strong understanding of regulatory and scientific considerations to inform policy and political strategy.
• Translate complex scientific issues into clear, actionable policy and advocacy options.
• Contribute to regional and global dialogue on emerging technology governance and cross-border policy frameworks.
• Provide strategic advice on political economy dynamics affecting cross-border technologies.
• Develop and deliver briefings and engagement strategies for senior policymakers, regional leaders and regional influencers.
• Support efforts to strengthen African leadership, ownership and coordination in regional and global policy discussions.
• Lead and manage a portfolio of investments that advance policy, advocacy, and transboundary coordination objectives.
• Shape and guide implementing partners and platforms working on regional and cross-border issues.
• Develop high-quality briefs, insights, and strategic recommendations for Foundation leadership.
• Support internal alignment across teams and contribute to overall strategy development for emerging technologies.
• Collaborate across technical, regulatory, advocacy, and communications teams to ensure integrated strategy and execution.
• Work in close collaboration with IDEV, ensuring that policy, political engagement and regional coordination efforts complement and do not duplicate regulatory strategy and implementation activities.
• Serve as a key connector between teams and partners.

• Strong understanding of biosafety policy and the regional regulatory landscape.
• Strong credibility with AU institutions, Regional Economic Communities, governments and other regional stakeholders.
• Ability to operate in complex, evolving, multi-country contexts.
• Skilled at navigating sensitive policy environments.
• Ability to convene and influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to translate technical issues into clear, actionable insights.
• Experience working alongside regulatory authorities is strongly preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country where this role is based without visa sponsorship.