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 to create a more equitable world.Your Role
As Senior Communications Officer, Audience Research and Digital Analytics (Africa Regional Office), you will lead communications measurement, evaluation, and audience research to inform and strengthen the foundation’s communications strategies across Africa (in particular Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria). You will translate data from social listening, media monitoring, and public opinion research into actionable insights that shape communications activities, issues management, and engagement with diverse audiences across the region. You will also manage external research and analytics partners and help maintain and develop a culture of evidence-based communications.
The postholder will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and report to the Deputy Director of Analytics and Deputy Director - Communications, Africa.
What You’ll Do
Work with colleagues and partners to build a pan-African research and analytics portfolio that supports communications activities to engage audiences on our most important priorities.
Translate research findings into research-informed communication assets and strategic recommendations, and collaborate with colleagues to implement these findings.
Coordinate and manage vendors involved in the production, collection, and analysis of communications data and research.
Use social listening and media monitoring tools to translate real-time data on social discourse into insights with clear, actionable implications for communications strategy.
Conduct social, digital, and media sentiment analysis to support issues and reputation monitoring across multiple African markets, as well as understanding of information disorder on key topics.
Develop and maintain dashboards, scorecards, and reporting tools with key performance indicators tailored to regional and audience needs.
Design and implement systems to measure the outputs, outcomes, and impact of digital and integrated communications efforts.
Build measurement frameworks for digital communication interventions, including theories of change, KPIs, and learning agendas.
Oversee the implementation of public opinion research projects (both qualitative and quantitative) to inform communication design and audience engagement strategies in Africa.
Scope, design, and manage audience research, including segmentation, message development and testing, content testing, perception and attitude benchmarking, and tracking studies.
Develop measurement plans and evaluate the impact of foundation communications initiatives across diverse cultural, linguistic, and policy environments.
Support an inclusive, collaborative culture by modeling foundation values and escalating issues appropriately and in a timely manner.
Your Experience
Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) in relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience.
Significant experience (8-10 years) in communications research, measurement, evaluation, or audience insights in a similar role, focused on African audiences and media.
Demonstrated expertise in evaluating digital communications campaigns and media performance.
Deep understanding of pan-African media dynamics and context.
Strong proficiency in social and traditional media analytics, digital monitoring, network analysis, sentiment analysis, and owned-channel performance.
Experience building multi-channel measurement frameworks and mapping indicators to objectives, outcomes, and goals.
Agency and consultancy experience an advantage.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (including pivot tables and macros) and strong data visualization skills, particularly in PowerPoint.
Experience using social listening and media analysis tools such as Brandwatch, Meltwater, or similar platforms.
Familiarity with digital analytics and tracking tools (e.g., Adobe Analytics, social media analytics, UTM/CID codes, pixel-based remarketing).
Familiarity with, experience using, and deep curiosity about AI-enabled tools and systems.
Experience interpreting quantitative and qualitative public opinion research methods, including survey research, focus groups, and interviews.
Experience setting up digital data collection activities, with additional evaluation methods considered a plus.
Strong ability to synthesize complex information and clearly communicate insights and present implications to diverse stakeholders.
Understanding of project and program management processes, workflows, and terminology.
Familiarity with the research supplier landscape, including regional and global vendors and partners.
Experience working with emerging research methodologies, metrics, and best practices in digital and social media environments.
Knowledge of paid media and promotion techniques is an asset.
Experience working in a fast-paced and matrix environment, requiring cultural awareness and a collaborative nature that knows the benefits of seeking consensus, is strongly preferred.
Other Attributes
Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behaviour with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity.
Be able to travel up to 15% domestic and internationally
*Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
Application deadline: 23 March 2026
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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 HR@gatesfoundation.org 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.