Senior Communications Officer, South and Southeast Asia (LTE until 31 December 2027)

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 and strengthen understanding of the ideas, partnerships, and innovations that can help improve lives around the world. South and Southeast Asia Team South and Southeast Asia is becoming an increasingly important source of innovation, financing, and leadership for global health and development. As countries across the region invest in stronger health systems, digital infrastructure, scientific research, and new approaches to development finance, solutions emerging here have growing relevance far beyond the region itself. The foundation has worked alongside partners across South and Southeast Asia for more than 15 years. In May 2026, we established our Singapore office as a regional hub serving Singapore, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and select engagements across Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Mekong region. As we deepen our presence in the region, we have an opportunity to strengthen understanding of our role, build trust with key audiences, and elevate the ideas, partnerships, and innovations emerging from South and Southeast Asia. The Role The Senior Communications Officer, South and Southeast Asia role was established to support a critical period of regional growth following the opening of the foundation's Singapore office, including a concentrated period of regional communications activity surrounding several high-profile engagements across 2026–2027. The role will focus primarily on supporting key external engagements in Singapore and Indonesia, including the launch of our annual Goalkeepers Report, a CEO visit to Singapore, Grand Challenges Singapore (part of a series of convenings aimed at fostering innovation to solve key global health and development problems), and other strategic partnerships, announcements, and convenings. It will also support light-touch communications support across South and Southeast Asia markets as needed. Beyond these priority engagements, the role will develop core messaging, communications assets, media relationships, and engagement approaches that strengthen the foundation's communications platform in South and Southeast Asia beyond the duration of the assignment. This is a limited-term position (LTE) until 31 December 2027, based at the foundation’s office in Singapore. Relocation will not be provided. The role reports to the Deputy Director, Government Relations, South and Southeast Asia, with a dotted-line relationship to the Deputy Director, Strategic Communications. What you’ll do Develop and execute an integrated communications strategy that supports the foundation's regional priorities, including planning and delivery for key engagements such as the Singapore launch of the annual Goalkeepers Report, a CEO visit to Singapore, Grand Challenges Singapore, and other strategic partnerships and convenings. Develop core messaging, communications assets, and leadership materials that strengthen understanding of the foundation's work across South and Southeast Asia. Build and strengthen relationships with priority media and external stakeholders, identifying proactive opportunities to elevate the foundation's work, partnerships, and thought leadership through earned media and strategic engagement. Manage the relationship with the foundation's regional communications agency, overseeing day-to-day execution, and ensuring high-quality delivery across media relations, campaigns, leadership visibility, and other communications priorities. Provide strategic communications counsel to regional leadership on communications strategy, leadership visibility, and reputational opportunities and risks. Partner with colleagues across Communications, Global Development, Global Policy & Advocacy, and program teams to execute integrated communications initiatives. Document communications strategies, messaging, media relationships, and engagement plans that will support the foundation’s regional office once the engagement has been completed. Your Experience Bachelor's or Master's degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, public policy, international affairs, or a related field. 10+ years of experience in strategic communications, media relations, public affairs, or reputation management, including significant experience across the Southeast Asia region. Demonstrated experience building or significantly expanding communications programs, stakeholder engagement strategies, or media platforms in complex and evolving markets. Deep understanding of the political, media, and stakeholder landscapes across the region, with particular familiarity with Singapore and Indonesia strongly preferred. Strong media instincts and a track record of building trusted relationships with journalists, editors, influencers, and other external stakeholders. Experience advising senior leaders and developing communications strategies that support organizational, policy, advocacy, or business objectives. Demonstrated ability to identify and manage reputational opportunities and risks, exercising sound judgment in fast-moving environments. Experience managing external communications agencies and consultants, including setting strategic direction, overseeing execution, and evaluating performance. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex policy, scientific, and technical topics into compelling narratives. Experience working across multiple countries, cultures, and stakeholder groups in a matrixed environment. Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia is not required but would be a distinct advantage, given the foundation's deep engagement in Indonesia and the country's importance to the regional strategy. Other Attributes Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behavior with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity. Ability to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally. *Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. Application deadline: 5 September 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 [apply contact hidden] 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.