Ford Foundation
Summary Description
The Ford Foundation Office for India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, based in New Delhi, seeks a collaborative and innovative Program Officer to help drive the Foundation’s regional work on strategic philanthropy. The Foundation’s India Office has two other portfolios: Civic Engagement and Government (CEG) focusing on farmer livelihoods and well being, and Gender, Racial and Ethnic Justice GREJ) focusing on safe public spaces for women, both offline and online.
This position will work with the program team to drive stewardship for inclusive philanthropy in the region, strengthen the domestic philanthropic ecosystem and galvanize catalytic resourcing for areas including the Foundation’s core initiatives (civic engagement, centering gender) and principles (institution building and trust-based philanthropy). The focus of this portfolio would be to build salience for philanthropy’s possibilities to drive transformative social change in the region and forge collaborative partnerships towards addressing underserved spaces including organizations, geographies and critical causes that address systemic inequality.
The ideal candidate should have proven experience in, and knowledge of how philanthropy, think tanks and civil society operate in India and the region. The candidate will also have a track record in enabling institutional capacity and financial resilience of civil society and grassroots organizations through networks and collaborative platforms.
Responsibilities
Program Officers are responsible for developing and managing grant portfolios, ensuring alignment with India office and global goals through activities like grantmaking, convenings, and field building. They assess the organizational landscape, identify key issues and partners, and shape agendas to promote strategic outcomes through grant allocation. POs track contextual shifts to inform grantmaking strategies and act as networking catalysts, sharing knowledge with colleagues, collaborating with the India office team, and coordinating with international programs. They build partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and community leaders, to leverage resources and achieve common goals.
More specifically, as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Program Officer will:
- Contribute to ongoing development and adaptation of the strategic philanthropy strategy, working toward India Office goals, including identifying relevant opportunities for the sector and at the intersections of the civic engagement and gender justice programs
- Design and lead grant making to achieve significant and scalable impact, aligned with local strategic opportunities and in partnership with the global team.
- Manage, monitor and coordinate a grants portfolio, including annual grant planning, identifying and working with the Foundation’s grantees to develop proposals for grant recommendations, undertake periodic reviews of progress with grantees, perform grantee site visits, review financial and narrative reporting from grantees.
- Develop and implement grant-making approaches that support the role of broad coalitions, strategic communications and narrative change
- Conceptualize and implement convenings amongst domestic and international funders
- Identify ways to support partners in the portfolio to become more durable, more resilient, and more effectively networked with each other. This includes support for strategic vision, leadership, management systems, financial stability, and organizational diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Recommend and participate in learning activities to guide the evolution of programmatic work, promote exchange and strategic partnership. Learn from and collaborate with key stakeholders inside and outside the Foundation.
- Represent the foundation and its work to the government, media, academic, business, philanthropic, and civic leaders with guidance from the Regional Director.
- Play a leadership role on the team, encouraging and modeling team collaboration, team building and team effectiveness. Serve as a mentor and coach to more junior staff.
- Support the team in assessing contextual risks to program impact as well as opportunities to further advance regional strategy and outcomes.
- Work in collaboration with the India office’s program team and with stakeholders in international and domestic foundations, intermediaries, research institutions, civil society and private sector partners active in the region.
- Engage with the global strategy related processes and support global/regional initiatives as required.
Qualifications
- Experience of 6 years or more leading impact-driven strategies and/or subject-matter expertise in philanthropy and related areas; with specific expertise and validated experience in areas ranging from strategy development to funder collaboratives.
- Deep understanding of the social, cultural and political context of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and the geopolitical landscape.
- Clear experience in coalition building and demonstrated experience as a ‘connector’ and ‘convener’ across funders, grantees, practitioners, government officials, scholars, NGO and corporate sector leaders, on issues of common concern.
- Experience leading on issues related to philanthropy; demonstrated collaboration with civil society and a perspective informed by the global context.
- Ability to align global goals with local strategy and lead grant making from this perspective.
- Demonstrated success in program development, evaluation and management.
- Ability to analyze evidence, think critically, and understand interdisciplinary frameworks for evidence and evaluation, relevant to programmatic funding areas.
- Fluency in English required.
- A post-graduate degree in a relevant field of study or relevant and equivalent experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Significant experience in engaging/leading/researching philanthropy trends, regulatory context, best practices, networks and power structures
- Demonstrated ability to amplify solutions/resources for work that addresses gender inequality through multiple stakeholder engagement
- Experience with grantmaking is desirable but not necessary
Physical Requirements
- Domestic/international travel will be expected, approximately 30%; some travel would be directly related to grantmaking, but also to attend team conferences, retreats, and meetings.
- The Foundation moved to a hybrid working model in 2022 and there is a requirement to work from the office at least 3 days per week.
Location: New Delhi, IndiaSalary: is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.
To apply:
Alignment to Culture and Values
- Commitment to the Foundation’s mission and core values of equity, openness, collaboration, trust, accountability and urgency
- 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
Benefits
- Hybrid Workplace and Flexible Work Arrangement policies
- Medical and dental benefits for employee and immediate family on first day of work
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions of up to 13%
- Three weeks’ paid vacation in first year of work; four weeks in subsequent years
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Office closed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Professional development initiatives for growth
- Generous parental leave (maternal and paternal) during new child’s first year (born into family or adopted)
Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at The Ford Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law. The Ford Foundation does not discriminate against formerly incarcerated individuals.
The search is being managed by The Taplow Group. Please send your CV and cover letter directly to them via email: apply@taplowgroupindia.com. Please write "Ford Foundation India PO" in the subject line.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 21st 2024
