Communications Officer, Storytelling and Content Producer, Africa at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

What You’ll Do
Storytelling Leadership:

• Play a key role in the development of storytelling and content production strategies and approaches.
• Identify and develop powerful stories that highlight the impact of the Foundation's grantees and partners' work.
• Lead the creation of written content, photo essays, videos, and audio stories that capture the essence of our work in Africa.
• Collaborate with internal teams, grantees, and partners to gather necessary information, conduct interviews, and produce multimedia content.
• Cultivate a network of storytellers, photographers, videographers, and other content producers across Africa.
• Identify innovative formats, trends, and platforms to disseminate content, ensuring it resonates with diverse African audiences and reaches a broad audience.
• Pitch story ideas to journalists and social media influencers to help the Foundation engage with a broad African audience.

Content Development

• Create and oversee the production of brand stories that communicate the Foundation's mission and impact.
• Manage a content calendar to ensure timely delivery of storytelling projects and facilitate training sessions for partners on effective storytelling techniques.
• Work with regional experts to ensure content is culturally relevant and aligned with the Gates Foundation’s brand and messaging.
• Lead initiatives to design and deliver storytelling and public speaking skills training for grantees and partners.
• Ensure storytelling approaches are continually refined using analytics, audience insights, and feedback to improve impact.

Strategic Communications

• Develop and implement a comprehensive storytelling strategy aligned with the Foundation's communications goals and regional priorities, contributing to thought leadership.
• Build strong partner and grantee relationships to continuously identify and develop impactful stories.
• Engage with key influencers and media outlets to amplify the Foundation’s storytelling efforts, while monitoring feedback to improve engagement.
• Collaborate with the Brand Strategy Lead and global brand team to ensure that all content supports the Foundation-wide brand architecture and initiatives.
• Manage relationships with creative agencies and contractors to ensure timely, high-quality production of content across Africa.

Brand Creative

• Serve as a subject matter expert on brand standards across various Africa communications channels, ensuring adherence to global brand guidelines.
• Contribute to global storytelling initiatives by collaborating with the Foundation’s global brand team and leading on visual storytelling innovation.
• Lead the creation of impactful brand campaigns, working closely with regional and global experts.

Your Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a relevant field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years of professional experience in editorial, content creation, journalism, or communications, with a strong portfolio of storytelling work.
• Proven expertise in strategic communications, developing and implementing communication strategies that align with organizational goals and drive engagement.
• Experience working in a global and Africa-based non-profit, communications agency, or media organization preferred.
• Deep understanding of Africa’s diverse audiences and the ability to tell compelling stories that resonate across the continent.
• Strong project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deliver high-quality content on time.
• Proficiency in designing and delivering storytelling and public speaking skills training programs.
• Experience in facilitating the development of multimedia content (written, photo, video, audio) and managing relationships with grantees, partners, and external content creators.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.
• Ability to commit to 25-40% domestic and international travel as needed.
• Proficiency in additional languages is an advantage.
• Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.