Full-Time

Deputy Director AI & Digital Health Evidence & Learning

Updated on 7/21/2026

Gates Foundation

Gates Foundation

1,001-5,000 employees

Philanthropic foundation funding global health and development

Compensation Overview

$238.4k - $303.9k/yr

Seattle, WA, USA

In Person

Category
AI & Machine Learning (1)
Required Skills
Machine Learning

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Requirements
  • Domain expertise in digital deployment within health systems/service delivery required (15+ years), including newer experience with the introduction of AI enabled tools.
  • 5+ years in leadership roles with significant management responsibility, including building and managing senior-level teams. Track record of driving strategy and holding accountability for team performance, including budget oversight.
  • Significant research and machine learning engineering (MLE) background related to the effectiveness of digital and AI in health. Research focus on health systems and primary health care preferred. Experience with cost-effectiveness and implementation research a plus.
  • Strong track record in translating evidence and technical insights into actionable recommendations for policymakers and other decision-makers.
  • Deep experience leading to research, learning, and knowledge-generation efforts, including familiarity with research methods, evidence synthesis, and analytical approaches.
  • Demonstrated experience working in low- and middle-income countries, with substantial experience in Sub-Saharan Africa strongly preferred.
  • Hiring Requirements: Background check as part of standard hiring process.
Responsibilities
  • Hold accountability for EGH's contributions in AI and digital health, serving as a trusted advisor to the Director and other foundation leaders in related strategy, evidence, and impact.
  • Lead implementation research and evidence generation on how AI and digital health strengthen health systems, improve primary health care delivery, and enable effective bidirectional engagement between primary care platforms and priority health areas.
  • Maintain current knowledge of the rapidly evolving landscape of digital and AI applications relevant to health systems.
  • Provide strategic leadership in synthesizing complex evidence, shaping investment and research priorities, and ensuring that research outputs meaningfully inform policy, program design, and decision-making, including synthesizing evidence across geographies and health system contexts to surface lessons on when and how digital and AI innovations can strengthen health systems and when they do not.
  • Lead a sub-team of technical experts on the cutting edge of AI and digital deployment in real world, LMIC settings. Foster analytical rigor and technical excellence while ensuring alignment with broader EGH and foundation objectives. Build a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative team culture.
  • Serve as a recognized thought leader in the sector, identifying and cultivating new opportunities for EGH partnerships and influence in AI and digital innovation, in collaboration with the Deputy Director of Policy, Partnerships and Communications, and other colleagues across the foundation. Develop strong relationships with technology outfits, academic researchers, partner organizations, and global health decision-makers.
  • Manage strategic relationships with key foundation teams, in particular Africa, India, and South and South Asia offices, while maintaining strong connections with other teams requiring AI & digital health expertise (particularly testing and learning approaches, and evidence from real world deployment) to achieve their goals. Develop a deep understanding of other team strategies and serve as a thought partner in shaping future directions and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
  • Build, maintain and manage strategic partnerships with external stakeholders including governments, global health institutions, development banks, philanthropic partners, and frontier labs.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts (AI, digital health) in clear, compelling ways for diverse audiences, from frontline implementers to senior leaders. Ensure a broad set of foundation teams and leaders are up to date with EGH AI & digital health contributions, given speed, jumps and pivots expected from a high-visibility portfolio.
  • Allocate resources—including budget and headcount—across strategic priorities to maximize EGH contribution in AI & Digital Health. Regularly assess projects and investments through an impact-focused lens, making intentional trade-offs and working across the matrix to optimize resources, leverage synergies, and strengthen overall portfolio effectiveness.
  • Serve as a member of the EGH leadership team, contributing to strategic decisions across portfolios, advising on organizational and talent matters, helping navigate trade-offs, and providing counsel to the Director on priorities and direction.
Desired Qualifications
  • Sub-Saharan Africa experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience with cost-effectiveness and implementation research a plus.
  • Familiarity with research methods, evidence synthesis, and analytical approaches.

Gates Foundation is a philanthropic organization funding efforts to reduce poverty, disease, and inequity worldwide, working through grants to nonprofits, governments, and research institutions rather than delivering services directly. Its funding spans maternal and child health, infectious disease elimination including malaria, TB, HIV, and polio, smallholder farmer development, and women's economic empowerment, spread across thousands of active grants. What sets Gates Foundation apart is its selective, proactive grantmaking: staff invite organizations to submit proposals, run Grand Challenges competitions, and publish grant data and financials openly. The goal is to give every person, regardless of where they are born, the chance to live a healthy, productive life.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Seattle, Washington

Founded

2000

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • $2.5B women's health R&D pledge across five underfunded areas accelerates critical solutions through 2030[3].
  • $3M grant to Replicate Bioscience enables srRNA tuberculosis vaccine development for global accessibility[4].
  • Equity Group partnership scales interoperable digital payment systems across 20–30 African markets by 2026[1].

What critics are saying

  • Buffett's $47B donation pause threatens existential liquidity within 0–6 months due to Epstein review[1].
  • WilmerHale's summer review could force CEO Mark Suzman's dismissal and board restructuring in 6–12 months[1].
  • 500 announced job cuts immediately erode program delivery capacity and weaken global health footprint within 0–3 months[1].

What makes Gates Foundation unique

  • Sells exclusive 20-year shutdown plan spending $200B to close by December 31, 2045[1].
  • Focuses uniquely on maternal-child mortality parity between global South and North by 2045[1].
  • Pioneers AI health tools in Africa via Horizon1000 with OpenAI, targeting 1,000 clinics by 2028[4].

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Family Leave

401(k) Retirement Plan

Remote Work Options

Hybrid Work Options

Flexible Work Hours

Wellness Program

Mental Health Support

Conferences Attendance Budget

Professional Development Budget

Stock Options

Company Equity

Reimbursement

Phone/Internet Stipend

Home Office Stipend

Relocation Assistance

Parental Leave

Family Planning Benefits

Fertility Treatment Support

Adoption Assistance

Childcare Support

Elder Care Support

Gym Membership

Commuter Benefits

Meal Benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

Professional Certification Support

Mentorship Program

Professional Development Budget

Company News

Novus Media
Jun 18th, 2026
New off-grid toilet system brings sustainable sanitation to Rasta Camp.

New off-grid toilet system brings sustainable sanitation to Rasta Camp. 18 Jun 2026 Residents of Rasta Camp in Ocean View, Cape Town, are celebrating the launch of a pioneering off-grid sanitation facility, marking a significant step forward in providing safe and sustainable sanitation to informal settlements. This project, described as a collaboration between the City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Directorate, the Water Research Commission (WRC) and the Gates Foundation, aims to address the challenges of delivering reliable sanitation in areas where traditional infrastructure is difficult to install. New facility. The new facility at Rasta Camp completes the roll-out of five pilot sites across Cape Town, each testing advanced, self-sustaining full-flush toilet systems. The launch took place on Tuesday 16 June. Previously Rasta Camp relied on 42 portable flush toilets, but the new installation offers a more permanent and dignified solution. Construction, which began in late last year and concluded early this year, overcame obstacles such as steep terrain and a high-water table, the City said. The facility consists of three refurbished shipping containers, each containing five full-flush toilets. Every cubicle is equipped with a wash basin, sanitary bins and features to ensure accessibility for people living with disabilities, including a wheelchair ramp. System. The entire system operates independently of the municipal grid, powered by a combination of solar and wind energy. A modular treatment plant on site recycles wastewater, producing pathogen-free water that is reused for flushing, eliminating the need for conventional sewer connections. To ensure smooth operation and cleanliness, a trained local technical assistant and three janitors have been appointed, with additional technical support from technology partner WEC during the first year. Community upliftment. Mayco member for Water and Sanitation Zahid Badroodien hailed the project as a milestone for both the City and the Rasta Camp community. He emphasised the importance of community ownership, urging residents to use the facility responsibly and to "only flush the three Ps: pee, poo and paper." "We now look to the community to use the facility responsibly, ensuring it is kept clean and in good condition. The success and longevity of this facility will depend on residents taking ownership of the infrastructure and using it as intended." With all five pilot sites now operational, the City will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the project's technical, environmental, economic, and social impacts. The results will determine whether this innovative sanitation technology can be expanded to other informal settlements, potentially transforming service delivery and improving quality of life for thousands of residents across the city. NovaNews WhatsApp Channel is LIVE! Categorised: News

Daily Voice
Jun 18th, 2026
Irie new toilets launched at Rasta Camp.

Irie new toilets launched at Rasta Camp. RESIDENTS of the Rasta Camp informal settlement in Ocean View are the latest beneficiaries of an irie new off-grid sanitation system. The installation marks the completion of five pilot sites being tested by the City as part of a project aimed at finding alternative sanitation solutions for areas where conventional infrastructure is difficult to install. The initiative is a partnership between the City's Water and Sanitation Directorate, the Water Research Commission and the Gates Foundation. Situated along the mountainside on the edge of the Ocean View community, Rasta Camp was previously served by 42 portable flush toilets. Construction of the new facility took place between late 2025 and early 2026 and involved overcoming challenges, including rugged terrain and a high-water table. The new installation consists of three shipping containers, each containing five full-flush toilets. The toilet cubicles are equipped with wash basins, sanitary bins and accessible facilities for people living with disabilities, including a wheelchair ramp. En dis nie al nie, the facility operates entirely off the grid. It is powered by solar and wind energy and includes a treatment plant that recycles wastewater into pathogen-free water for reuse in flushing, removing the need for traditional sewer connections. A trained local technical assistant and three janitors will oversee the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the facility, while technology partner WEC will provide technical support during the first year. Mayco member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, described the project as a significant step forward for both the City and the community. Badroodien added that the long-term success of the facility would depend on residents taking ownership of the infrastructure and using it responsibly. He said: "Daily Voice now look to the community to use the facility responsibly, ensuring it is kept clean and in good condition. "The success and longevity of this facility will depend on residents taking ownership of the infrastructure and using it as intended." Findings from the project will be used to determine whether the technology is a practical and cost-effective option for wider implementation in informal settlements across Cape Town. Related Topics:

Lynnwood Times
Jun 13th, 2026
Edmonds Food Bank Capital Campaign receives major grant award.

Edmonds Food Bank Capital Campaign receives major grant award. EDMONDS - Edmonds Food Bank was awarded a $500,000 grant from Gates Foundation for Thrive Together: A Capital Campaign to Build a New Edmonds Food Bank. The grant marks a major milestone for the campaign and brings total funds raised to more than $3.3 million as the organization raises funds to build a new permanent home to best serve the growing needs of the community. Currently operating out of the basement of Edmonds United Methodist Church, Edmonds Food Bank has outgrown its existing space. The organization is actively seeking land for a future facility that will dramatically expand its ability to provide food access and support services to neighbors experiencing food insecurity. The future Edmonds Food Bank will include: * Increased food storage capacity * The ability to offer more distribution hours and improved customer access * Dedicated space for partner organizations providing services such as nutrition education, financial literacy, legal assistance, healthcare access, and workforce support * A community garden * A commercial teaching kitchen for cooking classes and community programming Staff from Gates Foundation toured Edmonds Food Bank in March during a food distribution to see firsthand the challenges within the current space, as well as the impact the organization has on the community. Within the last few weeks, Edmonds Food Bank has served record numbers including providing groceries for 1,670 households in one week. The grant comes at a pivotal moment for the campaign following the recent launch of the Edmonds Food Bank's Community 555 Campaign, a community-wide fundraising effort inviting supporters to help build momentum for the campaign. Tell us what you think. This poll is no longer accepting votes If you are IAM member, will you vote to approve the October 19 tentative agreement with Boeing? Poll ends 11:59 p.m., Oct 22, 2024.

Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative
May 23rd, 2026
DA4TI attends ICT4D Conference 2026 in Nairobi.

DA4TI attends ICT4D Conference 2026 in Nairobi. Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative (DA4TI) was privileged to receive support from its partner, NetHope, to participate in the ICT4D Conference 2026 held in Nairobi. DA4TI was represented at the conference by Senior Researcher Bonface Witaba during the event organised by Catholic Relief Services in partnership with organizations including NetHope, Gates Foundation and KICTANet. The biennial conference marked a return to Kenya's capital and East Africa's leading technology hub for the first time since 2016. Held from May 20 to 22, 2026, the three-day gathering brought together stakeholders from across the Internet governance, policy, humanitarian, development, and technology sectors to explore the future of digital transformation through panel discussions, workshops, round tables, and hands-on learning sessions. The conference featured close to 80 sessions and attracted hundreds of participants from around the world, both physically and virtually. Discussions focused on the growing role of technology in addressing global development challenges and shaping inclusive digital futures. One of the key highlights of the conference emerged from the opening keynote delivered by a senior official from Kenya's ICT Ministry, who underscored Kenya's deliberate efforts to position itself, and Nairobi in particular, as a leading African centre for technology, innovation, and emerging digital industries. The remarks emphasized Africa's role in the next industrial revolution and the growing importance of Information and Communication Technology as the backbone of modern economies across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, manufacturing, logistics, cybersecurity, and governance. The conference further highlighted Africa's youthful population as a major strategic advantage, noting the continent's growing influence in the global digital economy. Kenya's success in mobile money innovation and the rise of Nairobi's "Silicon Savannah" ecosystem were cited as examples of how African-led innovation continues to shape global conversations on technology and financial inclusion. Kenya's ongoing investments in Artificial Intelligence, digital public infrastructure, broadband connectivity, cloud and data systems, innovation hubs, startup ecosystems, and digital skills development were also underscored. Significant attention was given to the importance of ethical technology governance, data protection, regulatory clarity, and inclusive digital transformation as countries prepare for the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies. The Conference sessions were structured around three major thematic tracks focusing on data governance, sustainable development, and the future of digital ecosystems. Conversations explored the changing data landscape and the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence in humanitarian and development work, while also examining concerns around privacy, interoperability, ethics, and responsible data use. Other sessions examined how digital technologies can support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through climate resilience, stronger food systems, improved healthcare delivery, and more effective emergency response mechanisms. Discussions also explored how funding shifts, youth leadership, and expanding digital public infrastructure are reshaping localisation efforts and contributing to more inclusive and sustainable digital futures. Overall, the conference reinforced the growing importance of technology, collaborative governance, and inclusive innovation in driving sustainable development and strengthening resilience across communities globally. DA4TI expresses its sincere appreciation to NetHope for supporting participation at the conference. The organization looks forward to applying lessons and practical strategies gained from the event in its ongoing programmes, while also strengthening collaboration with nonprofit and technology partners engaged during the conference.

SFist
May 16th, 2026
New $200 million partnership backs AI public goods projects.

New $200 million partnership backs AI public goods projects. Anabelle Colaco 16 May 2026, 21:05 GMT+ SAN FRANCISCO, California: Anthropic and the Gates Foundation have launched a four-year, US$200 million partnership to support artificial intelligence projects focused on health, education, and other public-interest initiatives. The two organizations said that each will contribute roughly half of the commitment. Anthropic's contribution will include technical staff support and usage credits for its Claude chatbot, while the Gates Foundation will provide grant funding, program design, and technical expertise. The initiative follows a separate $50 million agreement announced in January between the Gates Foundation and OpenAI to support 1,000 clinics and communities across Africa with AI tools by 2028. The new partnership aims to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared more broadly at a time when concerns are growing that the technology could widen inequality and displace jobs. One major focus will be on improving language accessibility. Janet Zhou, a director at the Gates Foundation, said many AI systems perform poorly when writing and translating dozens of African languages. To address this, the partnership plans to support data collection and labeling efforts that will be released publicly to improve AI models across the industry. Another area under consideration is the creation of knowledge graphs to help AI systems better support teachers in sub-Saharan Africa and India. "The public-goods focus has come from the needs of different partners and governments, including some of the fears that they may have around proprietary lock-in and sovereignty," Zhou said. The organizations also plan to equip research centers with Claude to help identify potential drug candidates for treating HPV and preeclampsia, conditions that have historically attracted less commercial investment from pharmaceutical companies. Elizabeth Kelly, who leads Anthropic's beneficial deployments team, said the partnership aligns closely with the company's founding principles. "This announcement is really core to who we are as a company," Kelly said. Anthropic, backed by Google and Amazon, has grown rapidly as demand for its AI and coding tools has surged.