Mission: Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to ... Read more
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Our 2017 annual letter is addressed to our dear friend Warren Buffett, who in 2006 donated the bulk of his fortune to our foundation to fight disease and reduce inequity. A few months ago, Warren asked us to reflect on what impact his gift has had on the world.
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About a year ago, we made an unexpected discovery at the foundation. Typically, we love a breakthrough - but not this one. What we found was that morale among some of our staff was lower than we'd like. A foundation-wide employee survey indicated significant challenges to people's ability to get things done.
We believe that energized people, working well together, fueled by great leadership, in an environment in which they thrive, will do phenomenal things.
In order to create the impact we want to see in the world, our work is anchored by our values: Optimism, Collaboration, Rigor, and Innovation.
We set shared expectations as employees, managers and leaders. We hold ourselves and each other accountable, and to learn and grow from our experiences.
Representation, Acceptance, Belonging & Fairness. In order to fulfill our vision of helping all people lead healthy, productive lives, including the lives of our employees, we’re committed to practicing:
If you're interested in big missions, this is the place to come. Our employees come from diverse sectors and backgrounds and we all share one thing in common. We want to be part of something bigger. Experienced and highly engaged, employees describe our environment as intense, fast-paced and stimulating, to match the ambition of our strategies.
Optimism, Innovation, Collaboration and Rigor.
Our business is making grants and investments. We're comprised of Program teams and Operations teams and carrying out our work is guided by our core values.
Our Program Teams are Global Health, Global Development, Global Growth & Opportunity, Global Policy, Advocacy & Communications and US Programs. They research and make grant & investment proposals that are aligned with a program strategy. They are responsible for ongoing management of grants and investments.
Our Operating Teams composed of Legal, Finance and Grants & Contracts Management support program teams to design, create & execute grant & investment agreements. Our Human Resources, Global Digital Technology (IT), Facilities, Events and Travel teams provide the staff, technology and logistics that enable program teams to run effectively and work smartly around the world.
Working Together in Our Local Community
While the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works globally, we recognize that improving people’s lives often happens at the local level where individuals take action in their own communities. Our Foundation Cares program makes it easier for our employees to connect with local community organizations in their home communities.
Through 3:1 matching for employee charitable giving, paid time for volunteering, board service matching, community grantmaking, grantee site visits, our speakers bureau, and events throughout the year, employees have many opportunities to develop relationships with organizations that they personally care about.
I have been working at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation full-time (More than 3 years)
Pros
The mission, the BENEFITS, the travel, and the people - it is an amazing place to work.
Cons
Most people in administrative roles are over qualified for their job. There isn't a clear career path at the organization.
Advice to Management
Support the administrative staff in opportunities to connect with the mission.
Helpful (4)
Application
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2+ weeks. I interviewed at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Seattle, WA) in November 2016.
Interview
They referred to it as Social Hiring event. Different! One day in a hotel venue where you participate in 5 different activities. It maybe more but at least 5 activities. I call it survival of the fittest event. All candidates for different positions compete and if you are the type that barely spoke, you may not have made the cut. If you have this vibrant personality and really good at speaking in a crowd, you will most likely make the cut. I'm consentuios and like to process thoughts before taking action or speaking. At times, it's immediate response, and at times, sleep on it. It depends on the situation. I was not a big fan of the hall monitors as I call them. They monitored each person in each activity like a hawk and writing notes fast. Last activity was speed interview where you get 15 minutes with the hiring manager in a room full of people where you can barely hear the conversation. Bottom line - Consulting company that pioneered or sold the process did well for sure perhaps financially.
I came in thinking of a non profit atmosphere where I should feel that all lives are equal. I felt corporate culture - no different than for profit organizations.
I also read all the reviews on Glassdoor, and it confirmed the areas of development for IT org.
Interview Questions
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