Senior Program Officer, Research - Inclusive Financial Systems (LTE)
Company: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Location: Seattle
Posted on: September 25, 2024
Job Description:
The FoundationWe are the largest nonprofitfighting 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 TeamThe Foundation
partners with people and organizations worldwide, through grant
making, to tackle critical problems across various program areas
and divisions. Our Global Growth & Opportunity (GGO) Division
focuses on creating and scaling market-based innovations to
stimulate inclusive and sustainable economic growth. GGO focuses on
the areas of Agricultural Development, Global Education, Inclusive
Financial Systems (IFS), Nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and
Hygiene (WSH). We believe that people are poor because markets do
not work for them, and we promote innovative products and policies
that can break down barriers to economic opportunity, help people
lift themselves out of poverty, and deliver sustainable and
inclusive growth that benefits everyone.
The Inclusive Financial Systems (IFS) team believes that valuable,
low-cost financial products have the potential to offer a pathway
out of poverty, and that digital financial systems can enable the
private sector's delivery of such products to the poor sustainably
and at scale. IFS supports the buildout of inclusive digital
financial services (DFS) systems in low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs) by (i) enabling the right policy and regulatory
environment, (ii) supporting the implementation of inclusive
instant payments systems, (iii) driving scale and economic
sustainability by promoting pro-poor use cases; and (iv) closing
the gender gap in the usage of formal financial products.The RoleTo
serve unbanked populations in low-income countries, policymakers,
regulators, and commercial providers must adopt evidence-based
interventions which have been proven to expand the poor's access to
digital financial tools. The Senior Program Officer will identify
areas where rigorous data and research can support the adoption of
inclusive, pro-poor policies, regulations, and commercial
strategies and increase the welfare impacts of digital financial
services. They will develop and execute research and measurement
strategies to fill these data and evidence gaps.This is a 15-month
limited term employment role and can be located in our offices in
Seattle, WA, or Washington DC. Relocation will not be provided.What
You'll Do
- Critically evaluate and synthesize relevant research studies
and evidence to inform IFS's broader strategy
- Write and produce analyses which advance the world's
understanding of how to expand digital financial inclusion through
evidence-based government policy, regulatory, and commercial
interventions
- Cultivate a high-impact grant portfolio and partner ecosystem
to advance the IFS team research strategy, with a strong focus on
regional partners in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Act an internal expert on the IFS team, fielding data and
research-related questions: partner with IFS program officers to
understand and address market-specific needs for research and data,
and identify and track the optimal DFS access, usage, and impact
indicators
- Provide technical advice and research support to policymakers
and commercial partners
- Represent the foundation among key partners, including
universities, think tanks, governments, regulators, grantees,
donors, international standard setting bodies, and commercial
providers
- Consult with grantees and other partners to enhance the impact
of projects and ensure optimal learning. This may include site
visits and convening meetings of key partners.
- Represent the foundation to external constituencies. This could
include formal and informal presentations, attending conferences
and sitting on working groups.
- Write and produce briefings, reports, email updates, and other
materials to inform foundation leadership.
- Provide clear, concise, and insightful written analyses and
recommendations for investments and team strategy.
- Ability to travel up to 10% domestically and
internationally.Your Experience
- Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in economics,
development studies, public policy, business administration, or
related fields
- Deep expertise in data analysis and research methods
- Knowledge of the major issues related to financial inclusion
- Ability to organize/prioritize work and meet deadlines within a
fast-paced environment with multiple and competing demands
- Capacity and initiative to solve problems with energy and
positive attitude
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a
cooperative and collegial fashion
- Innovative, out-of-the box problem solver who is hands-on and
willing to go as deep or broad as necessary to achieve outcomes
- Fluent in English with excellent written and oral communication
skills
- Ability to question and challenge colleagues, including
managers, in a constructive manner
- Ability to travel up to 10% of time, as needs dictate*Must be
able to legally work in the country where this position is located
without visa sponsorship.The salary range for this role is $166,300
to $249,500 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences where
our offices are located, in Seattle, WA & Washington D.C. The range
for this role in these locations is $181,200 to $271,800 USD. As a
mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay
with our mission and new hires are typically brought into the
organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary
range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a
candidate's job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as
evaluated during the interview process.#LI-AD1Hiring RequirementsAs
part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment
will be contingent upon successful completion of a background
check.Candidate AccommodationsIf you require assistance due to a
disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit
a request .Inclusion StatementWe 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.
Keywords: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Edmonds , Senior Program Officer, Research - Inclusive Financial Systems (LTE), Accounting, Auditing , Seattle, Washington
Didn't find what you're looking for? Search again!
Loading more jobs...