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, weโre committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The TeamSince opening our China Office in Beijing in 2007, we have been committed to supporting our Chinese partners as they play an ever-increasing role in improving the health and well-being of people both in China and around the world. Today, China is a key strategic partner on our global health and development goals. We provide financial and technical support to our Chinese partners and build bridges for international collaboration to help them accelerate innovations in health, agricultural development and poverty reduction. We create broad new partnerships to ensure these innovations reach vulnerable populations at scale as quickly as possible. Together we have seen the tremendous impact that life-saving innovations can have when they become available to those most in need.
The Development team in the China Country Office (CCO) is responsible for advancing the Foundationโs programmatic goals in agricultural development. The team aims to build alliances and partnerships leveraging Chinaโs scientific expertise, technology, and investment resources to help Africa achieve sustainable agricultural development transformation and accelerate innovation to improve small-scale producer resilience.
We work in close partnership with grantees and our colleagues in the Global Growth & Opportunity (GGO) division, and in the Africa Regional Office (ARO), to build the environment in which all people can have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives.
Your Role
As the Senior Program Officer, Agriculture Systems Innovation, you will be responsible for developing, monitoring, evaluating, and managing a portfolio of investments (grants and contracts) in support of the Foundationโs Agriculture Development program strategies in China. In addition to collaborating with internal stakeholders, you will engage closely with external partners spanning research centers, government agencies, private sector, commercial partners, and development organizations like AGRA and CGIAR, to communicate strategies, address challenges, and drive alignment.
You will leverage the required deep technical expertise in agricultural sciences, technology development, and China-Africa development cooperation, as well as your demonstrated passion for working to solve problems faced by small-scale producers on the African continent.
This postholder will be based in Beijing and reports to the Deputy Director, Development, China office.
What Youโll Do
Program development: Support the Deputy Director, Development in the China office in shaping and implementing the CCOโs development strategy through close collaboration with internal and external partners; potential initiatives include: a) Leading research projects between Chinese, African, and international organizations supporting the development of improved crop varieties. b) Developing an engagement model with relevant Chinese agriculture and other Ministries to support the National Agricultural Research Extension System (NARES) modernization in Africa. c) Designing investment plans supported by public and private entities geared toward value chain modernization, particularly for commodity baskets in Africa. d) Monitoring trends in Chinese scientific and agricultural engagement with Africa (e.g., innovation landscape and changes in development aid / bilateral mechanisms). e) Representing CCO to integrate into AgDev team as timing allows, including participating in team meetings, visiting Seattle when possible, and participating in related grantee visits as appropriate.
Partnerships: Serve as Foundation representative and cultivate relationships with public and private sector partners (including AGRA and CGIAR) to strengthen cooperation, mobilize resources, facilitate technology transfer, and scale sustainable agricultural solutions. Strengthening the development of an internal AgDev partnership end to end strategy to help guide expectations and coordination across the various AgDev teams.
Grant management: Manage a portfolio of grants and contracts, ensuring alignment with evolving strategy, identifying next steps, and proactively assessing progress and potential risks to achieve intended outcomes.
Communications: Provide clear, concise, and insightful written analyses and recommendations for investments and strategies, writing and producing briefings, reports, email updates, and other materials to inform Foundation leadership.
Your Experience
Advanced degree (Masterโs or Ph.D.) or equivalent work experience relevant in a related field.
A minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience, including 4-5 years in crop research and development (R&D) collaborating with research institutions, private sector partners, and other organizations.
Demonstrated experience engaging private-sector partners and facilitating investment or commercialization partnerships, with a strong understanding of โgo to marketโ strategies and technology introduction in emerging markets.
Experience working in or supporting sub-Saharan African institutions or markets, with solid understanding of value chain dynamics to meet small-scale producerโs needs there, is highly desirable.
Ability to lead end-to-end development and introduction of new crop varieties or highly valued technologies, along with experience working with international organizations (e.g. AGRA, CGIAR, FAO, IFAD).
Solid agriculture systems knowledge (NARES, input/output markets and private sector).
Driven and with demonstrated ability to lead and manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously and under tight deadlines, connecting strategic objectives with on-the-ground execution.
Proven ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships across diverse teams, sectors, and geographies, demonstrating flexibility, compassion, and alignment around shared goals.
Strong analytical skills and ability to use data and evidence to inform decision-making and adapt program strategy.
Exceptional results orientation, combined with innovative and open-minded approach to all aspects of work.
Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain composure in high-pressure or fast-paced situation. Experience working in a highly matrixed environment is desirable.
Strong communication and writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise briefs and presentations.
Fluency in both English and Chinese (written and spoken) is required.
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.
Willingness to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.
*Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
Application deadline: 31 January 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
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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 โ of voices, ideas, and approaches โ 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.