Senior Communications Officer, South and Southeast Asia (LTE until 31 December 2027) at Gates Foundation in Singapore

Job description

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 strengthe