ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Ford Foundation seeks a Program Officer within the Building Institutions and Networks (BUILD) — a 12-year, $2 billion initiative that supports organizations and networks through multiyear flexible funding and institutional strengthening. To date, the BUILD program has supported more than 500 organizations and networks in 44 countries. BUILD is in the final phase of this Board-approved initiative through December 2027. The benefits of BUILD are well documented, and a clear priority is to ensure that these forms of good grantmaking practice are integrated into our broader work. 

Reporting to the BUILD Director, the Program Officer has primary responsibility for a body of work that practices and embeds good grantmaking practices, including trust-based grantmaking practices and beyond-the-grant support. Beyond-the-grant support is an integral part of BUILD’s value. The BUILD Program Officer will identify trends and emergent learning to be responsive to grantee needs and to connect disparate parts for cohesion and adaptation.

As the ideal candidate, you will have familiarity with philanthropy and grantmaking, social justice issues in the US and Global South, and a deep understanding of organizational development. You will possess expertise and experience in one or more of the following areas for institutional strengthening: cybersecurity, safety and security, compliance, financial resilience, leadership development, and human resources and organizational culture.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE

1. Develop and curate partnerships with providers on key issues of institutional strengthening: risk mitigation, cybersecurity, compliance, financial resilience, leadership
2. Work closely with program teams, assess challenges facing grantee organizations and networks to design programs that meet identified needs. 
3. Guide institutional strengthening efforts for grantee partners and internal teams across various organizational development areas; this requires staying current on equity-centered organizational development practices and practitioners for resources and referrals. 
4. Collaborate closely with 5-7 assigned program teams to support BUILD grantmaking, particularly at critical intervention points, such as strategic BUILD nominations, consideration of grant size, on-boarding new BUILD grantees, and ensuring smooth transition plans and communication following BUILD grants
5. Facilitate grantmaking accompaniment for new program staff, as well as provide ongoing support to those further into their tenure.
6. Contribute to embedding BUILD principles and practices throughout the foundation’s programs.
7. Practice thoughtful, effective, change management strategies to support colleagues and teams in a time of change and uncertainty.
8. Work collaboratively across multiple program teams, both in the US and internationally, to inform and support program strategies to achieve significant and scalable impact.
9. Identify and facilitate areas of emergent learning and key areas for a learning agenda for internal adaptations and external funder engagement on philanthropy practice.
10. Engage with aligned philanthropic leaders in the US and internationally on how best to support and strengthen grantee partners. Influence and advise on adaptation and adoption of multiyear, flexible funding and institutional strengthening.
11. Present at conferences and engage with peer funders on grant practice 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

1. At least 8 years of experience in institutional strengthening and organizational development as a service provider, grantmaker, or through leading an organization through growth and change. Proficiency in key issues of institutional strengthening: especially risk mitigation, cybersecurity, compliance, financial resilience, and/or leadership. Familiarity with social justice issues in the US and Global South is also essential.
2. Deep familiarity with philanthropy and grantmaking practices including multiyear flexible funding, trust-based philanthropy, equitable grantee partner-funder partnership, clear and candid communication and planning
3. Exceptional leadership presence – internally and externally
4. Exceptional communications skills – strong active listening skills, constructive verbal and written skills, strong public presentation skills
5. Comfort with periods of ambiguity and constructive participation in ongoing organizational development 
6. Deep understanding of the regional context and cultures, including geopolitical landscape, in which Ford works
7. Ability to travel domestically and internationally
8. Ways of working and engaging that aligns with the Foundation’s mission, core values and commitment to creating a culture of excellence 
9. A master’s degree or equivalent work experience

HELPFUL BUT NOT REQUIRED

1. Fluency in a language other than English spoken in one or more of Ford’s regional offices

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

This position is primarily a sedentary role. However, the person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to liaise with internal staff, access files, office machinery and a copy machine/printer.

The Ford Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, the Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact, talentacquisitionhr@fordfoundation.org  

SALARY: The Ford Foundation is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $173,000 and the maximum is $185,000. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of this range. The final offer is determined by a candidate’s relevant experience and our commitment to internal equity. We review global compensation on a regular basis to ensure market competitiveness and equity. The hiring range for this position has been carefully crafted in alignment with the market.

LOCATION: This position is based in the foundation’s New York office. We operate in a hybrid model and require staff to be in the office three days per week.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: This is a term-limited position, starting with a 3-year contract with the possibility of renewal.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: To be considered for this position, please submit your CV/resume and a cover letter by Monday, July 7th. We look forward to reviewing your application!

https://fordfoundation.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/FordFoundationCareerPage/details/Program-Officer--Building-Institutions-and-Network_R1207