Job  Board

Deadline to Apply: May 19th 2023 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Ford Foundation’s Technology and Society thematic area seeks a globally focused, dynamic, strategic, and collaborative Program Officer to join a team working together to ensure that the internet and digital technologies are increasingly equitable; designed and governed to advance social and economic justice, particularly for those experiencing persistent discrimination. Reporting to the Director, the Program Officer will largely manage a grantmaking portfolio that advances meaningful free expression online, counters unjust surveillance and algorithmic harms, and challenges power asymmetries and inequities in the current structure of internet access and the data economy, with a particular focus on international internet governance systems. The ideal candidates will be grounded in the broad field of technology rights and justice. They will be deeply knowledgeable about topics at the various intersections of technology and social justice, particularly outside of the U.S., and understand the roles that policy advocacy, litigation, organizing, research, narrative shifts, and philanthropy play in advancing social justice. RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work independently and collaboratively to further develop existing grantmaking strategies and to manage, monitor and coordinate a grants portfolio of approximately $7 million annually, which includes: long-term grant planning; identifying prospective grantees; soliciting, reviewing and responding to grant proposals; (including helping determine the goals for a grant, its activities, expected results, indicators of success and budget), conducting organizational assessments; undertaking periodic reviews of progress with grantees; and reviewing financial and narrative reports
• Provide intellectual leadership in areas related to the technology rights and justice field
• Contribute in the ongoing development of the Foundation’s Technology and Society strategy which aims to ensure that social justice organizations are equipped to access the benefits of technology and to minimize its risks
• Support convening, collaboration, and networking among grantees and other relevant peer organizations, including collective learning, joint campaigns and initiatives, coalition building, and networking across different fields of the social justice movements
• Develop and implement grant-making approaches that support the use of strategic communications and narrative change as part of the program strategy
• Continually scan the fields related to technology and society in the US and globally, follow key developments and debates, keep abreast of the academic and popular literature, share key findings and lessons among colleagues and the field
• Build relationships with other donors to increase philanthropic coordination and contributions to the field
• Promote and participate in fostering open-mindedness and a culture of learning – including learning and evaluation activities to guide the evolution of programmatic work
• Work collaboratively with Technology and Society team members to develop, define and implement program strategies to achieve meaningful and measurable impact towards team goals
• Represent the Foundation and its work in key venues through participation in relevant meetings, public speaking, writing, speeches, briefings, blog posts, and interviews
• Help to manage all aspects of grants processing and compliance. Work collaboratively with the Technology and Society Program Associate and co-manage a Program Assistant to ensure effective support to grantees
• Co-manage and provide support and development to a Program Assistant

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 8 years leading social justice strategies
• Exceptional leadership – internally and externally — and ability to lead high level engagement with donors and engage in strategic conversations throughout the field
• Exceptional communications skills - strong active listening skills, constructive verbal and written skills, strong public presentation skills
• A strong understanding of coalition building within the social justice sector and how to apply economic, racial, class, gender, and disability analyses to strategy
• Strategic thinker with an understanding of the various mechanisms and venues through which philanthropy and our grantees can affect change
• Proven track record of working closely with communities that have been historically marginalized in systems that affect their lives
• Demonstrated experience as a connector and convener across relevant sectors, including grantees, practitioners, government officials, academics, private sector representatives, and civil society representatives
• Superb analytical skills and ability to strategize, plan, prioritize and identify/assess opportunities, challenges and institutions with which to engage
• Demonstrated ability to engage with a broad variety of stakeholders and in coalition with others; openness , humility, and curiosity about new approaches and different points of view
• Ability to navigate a large and complex institution; willingness to participate constructively on organizational priorities beyond the immediate focus of this portfolio; comfort with institutional change and periods of ambiguity
• Experience working with international policy making institutions related to internet governance, data economy, digital policies.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people across different cultural backgrounds, geographic locations, legal systems, and political contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to be a flexible, collaborative, team-oriented, productive member of a community of people at work, respecting differences while working toward shared goals, comfort with periods of ambiguity, constructive participation in on-going organizational development
• Master’s degree in a relevant field of study or equivalent experience
• Written and oral fluency in English is required
• Written and oral fluency in Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic are a plus
• Experience with or in international regulatory bodies is a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 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. Additionally, domestic/international travel will be expected when it is safe to travel, approximately 20% of working time. Some travel is directly related to grantmaking, but also required to attend team conferences, retreats and meetings. 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 $165,000 and the maximum is $185,000. 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