Hiring: Principal Officer – Global Lead, Business Development & Licensing

Organization: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
📍 Location: Nairobi, Kenya | Abuja, Nigeria
📅 Application Deadline: 21 May 2026

💼 About the Role

The Gates Foundation is seeking a Principal Officer, Global Lead (BD&L for Global Access) to drive high-impact partnerships and licensing strategies that support agricultural productivity, sustainability, and food & nutrition sovereignty for smallholder farmers across Africa and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

This is a senior leadership role focused on:

Structuring complex private-sector partnerships
Scaling agricultural innovations
Shaping market systems for long-term adoption
Ensuring technologies reach and benefit smallholder farmers

🎯 Key Responsibilities

1. Opportunity Sourcing & Market Scanning

Identify and evaluate high-potential innovations globally
Build a pipeline of scalable agricultural solutions
Conduct commercial and technical due diligence

2. Deal Structuring & Partnership Design

Lead negotiations with multinational and regional partners
Structure licensing agreements and market-based incentives
Design innovative financing and adoption mechanisms

3. Transaction Execution & Leadership

Drive partnerships from concept to execution
Coordinate across legal, finance, and program teams
Manage multiple complex deals across regions

🌱 Focus Areas

Seeds, soil health & fertilizers
Livestock systems
Irrigation & climate-smart agriculture
AI-driven advisory systems
Agricultural value chains (supply & demand integration)

✅ Requirements

12+ years experience in business development, licensing, or partnerships
Strong track record in complex deal-making & negotiations
Experience working with private sector & emerging markets
Background in agriculture, food systems, or sustainability (preferred)
Strong analytical, financial modeling & stakeholder management skills

🎁 Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental & vision coverage
Generous paid leave & family benefits
Retirement contributions
Inclusive and diverse global work environment

Apply Here: Link https://gatesfoundation.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Gates/job/Nairobi-Kenya/Principal-Officer–Global-Lead–Business-Development—Licensing-for-Global-Access_B021558-1?source=gatesfoundation.org

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Why This Role Matters

This position plays a critical role in transforming agriculture in Africa, ensuring innovations are not just developed—but successfully adopted at scale, improving: