The Ford Foundation’s Inclusive Economies (IE) thematic area seeks a thoughtful, curious and engaged Program Officer to help shape and drive the foundation’s social justice work in the US and globally. Reporting to the Director of Inclusive Economies, and as part of the Inclusive Economies (IE) team, the Program Officer will assess opportunities in the US and globally, identify key ecosystems interventions and work with various actors to analyze challenges and opportunities, identify levers of change, and play a leading role in shaping specific grant activities—particularly around Quality Work and Economic Security. The Program Officer will share substantive knowledge with Foundation colleagues; collaborate broadly across IE and other Foundation teams; serve as a ‘connector’ of grantees; promote thoughtful learning; and work with practitioners, government officials, scholars, NGOs, other donors and corporate sector leaders on issue of common concern to leverage positive impact toward common goals.
BACKGROUND:
Addressing inequality is a key focus of the Ford Foundation. The overall goal of the IE thematic area is to advance an inclusive economy, where opportunity and prosperity are widely shared regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or caste.
The Foundation believes that government, business, investors and civil society each have a role and share a responsibility in creating an inclusive economy that benefits everyone. We seek to increase investment capital for social impact. We work to promote workers’ rights, fair labor standards, consumer financial protections, and highroad business practices. We also strive to ensure strong social and economic protections that are inclusive and support today’s changing family structures and nature of work.
The IE Program Officer will work with other Program Officers, Program Assistants, Grants Managers and the IE thematic Director to analyze trends and opportunities, further strategic planning, make and monitor grants, lead projects and manage relationships.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Core Program Officer responsibilities span several areas including program leadership, strategy and management, communication and people management and development. They include but are not limited to:
- Working collaboratively with other team members to refine and implement program strategies to achieve significant and scalable impact toward team goals.
- Managing a grants portfolio, including: long-term grant planning; identifying and working with prospective grantee; conducting organizational assessments; undertaking periodic reviews of progress with grantees; performing site visits and reviewing/approving financial and narrative reports. Promote engagement with grantees and key stakeholders to review opportunities, challenges and advances and encourage collaboration, learning, exchange and strategic partnerships.
- Collaborating with peers, directors and officers of the foundation to promote learning, exchange and strategic partnership.
- Representing the Foundation and its work to the government, media, academic, business, philanthropic, and civic leaders, and serving as a thought leader in the field through meetings, updates, speeches, blogposts, briefings and interviews, with guidance from the IE Thematic Director.
- Developing and implementing grant-making approaches that support the use of strategic communications as part of the program strategy.
- Contributing to the thinking and work of colleagues in the IE team and foundation overall including supporting and advancing team building and team effectiveness.
QUALIFICATIONS and CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS:
- A minimum of 8 years leading cross-cutting social justice strategies and/or subject-matter expertise related to Inclusive Economies— particularly the topics of quality work and economic security (required) including experience with public policy related to consumer financial security (preferred).
- A master’s degree in relevant field of study such as public policy, development, business, finance, or a baccalaureate and equivalent experience.
- Experience working/and or living in Asia, Africa or Latin America, or globally on these issues strongly preferred.
- Exceptional leadership presence and peer collaboration skills—internally and externally.
- Demonstrated understanding of organizations and network as well as systems-thinking ability.
- Problem solving orientation including ability to find and evaluate innovative solutions (no matter their source) and demonstrated mature and sound judgment.
- Exceptional communications skills – strong active listening skills, constructive verbal and written skills, strong public presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to be a productive member of a community of people at work, respecting differences while working toward shared goals, comfort with periods of ambiguity, constructive participation in ongoing organizational development.
- Written and oral fluency in English (required) and other world language (preferred).
ALIGNMENT TO THE MISSION AND THE CULTURE OF THE FORD FOUNDATION:
- Commitment to the Foundation’s mission and core values of equity, fairness and diversity
- Personal qualities of humility, capacity for self-reflection, and a sense of humor
- Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues
- Action-orientated and entrepreneurial self-starter who can work well independently and in teams
