Senior Program Officer, Inclusive Financial Systems – A Strategic Role in Advancing Digital Financial Inclusion

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is seeking a highly experienced Senior Program Officer (SPO) for Inclusive Financial Systems, based in Seattle, WA. This full-time role offers an opportunity to drive financial inclusion in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by supporting the development and expansion of inclusive instant payment systems (IIPS) and digital financial services. If you are a digital payments expert with experience in scaling payment platforms and driving financial technology solutions, this role could be the perfect fit for you.

Background & Job Description

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a global nonprofit committed to eliminating poverty, disease, and inequality. The Global Growth and Opportunity (GGO) Division focuses on fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth by leveraging market-driven innovations. Within GGO, the Inclusive Financial Systems (IFS) team works to ensure that digital financial services are affordable, secure, and accessible to underserved populations worldwide.

The Senior Program Officer, Inclusive Financial Systems, will lead initiatives to enhance the quality and accessibility of instant payment systems in LMICs. This includes supporting Payment Platform Operators (PPOs) and Digital Financial Service Providers (DFSPs) through grants, policy advocacy, and capacity building. The role also involves working with regulators and global standard-setting bodies to establish frameworks that promote consumer protection, financial inclusion, and digital transformation in financial services.

This is a strategic and high-impact position that requires expertise in digital payments, regulatory policies, financial technology (FinTech), and market-driven financial solutions.

Tasks

The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for a range of strategic and operational tasks, including:

Strategic Leadership & Industry Standards

• Develop principles, criteria, and measurement frameworks for financial service providers to ensure quality, security, and accessibility of digital payment systems.
• Collaborate with global and regional financial institutions to advocate for inclusive financial policies.
• Engage with global standard-setting bodies to influence regulations and promote best practices in financial inclusion.

Payment System Development & Market Expansion

• Support the design and implementation of instant payment systems (IIPS) that enable interoperability, fraud prevention, and financial transparency.
• Establish partnerships with financial service providers, government agencies, and technology companies to enhance the scalability of digital financial products.
• Identify key policy and regulatory barriers to financial inclusion and develop strategies to address them.

Capacity Building & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide technical assistance and grants to PPOs and DFSPs to enhance their digital financial services.
• Support financial regulators in LMICs to establish frameworks that protect consumers and promote financial accessibility.
• Conduct workshops, training programs, and consultations with key stakeholders in the financial ecosystem.

Technology & Innovation in Financial Services

• Explore the integration of cloud computing, open-source financial platforms, and AI-driven fraud detection to enhance digital payment solutions.
• Develop innovative approaches to secure digital identity verification and customer onboarding.
• Ensure compliance with data protection laws while promoting financial inclusivity for women, rural populations, and marginalized communities.

Project & Grant Management

• Oversee the design and implementation of financial inclusion projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Identify and evaluate potential partners, vendors, and consultants to execute digital financial inclusion initiatives.
• Monitor and report on project progress, financial impact, and scalability of digital payment solutions.

Qualifications

Education & Certification

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Technology, Business Administration, Public Policy, or related fields.
• Specialized certifications in Digital Financial Services (DFS), Financial Regulations, or FinTech Strategy are a plus.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in digital financial services, payments technology, or financial regulation.
• Expertise in managing digital payment platforms such as mobile money, UPI, Pix, Raast, and other payment networks.
• Experience working in LMICs and understanding financial inclusion challenges.
• Strong background in fraud management, cybersecurity in financial services, and compliance with regulatory policies.
• Proven track record of engaging with financial regulators, global standard-setting bodies, and technology service providers.
• Ability to lead large-scale programs, including managing grants, contracts, and partnerships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience in public speaking, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.
• Willingness to travel globally up to 25% of the time.

Additional Information

• Salary Range: $169,700 – $254,500 USD; in Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C., the range is $185,000 – $277,400 USD.
• Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement contributions, paid leave, employee resource groups, and career development opportunities.
• Location: Seattle, WA (Full-time, On-site)
• Application Deadline: March 5, 2025 (5 PM PT)
• Equal Opportunity Employer: The foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• How to Apply: Interested candidates should apply directly through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation career portal.

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