ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The Grantmaking Excellence Officer sits within the Office of Strategy and Learning and reports to the Deputy Vice President of Strategy and Impact. The position holds two primary responsibilities: promoting and sustaining good grantmaking policies and practices within the Ford Foundation and supporting institutional strengthening for cohorts of Ford’s grantees.
The Officer helps develop content and facilitates learning for Ford’s FunderMentals program, which supports program staff (directors, officers, and other program team members) throughout the life cycle of their grantmaking roles while overseeing the evolution of institutional practices and policies. In all of their work, they help the foundation balance ambition and risk, providing enabling conditions for mission-driven work within the institution and across the fields in which we work.
For institutional strengthening, the Officer builds out a robust set of external technical assistance and capacity building offerings for the US and Global South. They work closely with program staff to identify grantee needs, ensure quality, and assess/adjust offerings as needed.
HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE
As the Grantmaking Excellence Officer, you will perform the following and/or similar activities:
Curriculum & Onboarding: Develop and co-facilitate grantmaking curricula and onboarding sessions to ground new and existing staff in institutional policies and practices
Process Optimization: Conduct ongoing reviews of grantmaking processes and policies, making recommendations to improve overall excellence, partner engagement, and grantee experience
Policy Leadership: Advise the Program Leadership Team on grantmaking policy and collaborate with Operations to ensure changes are effectively institutionalized
Institutional Strengthening: Lead grantee and internal team support in critical organizational areas, including security, compliance, financial resilience, and leadership development
Program Design Support: Assist program teams in diagnosing challenges facing grantee networks and designing specific programs to meet those identified needs
Grantee Feedback Loop: Manage the Grantee Perception Report process, from preparation to data reflection, and lead the commitment to improving the grantee experience
Data-Driven Insights: Partner with the Data Governance Manager to synthesize and analyze grantmaking data, identifying actionable opportunities for practice improvement
Cross-Functional Alignment: Coordinate with Legal, IT, and Grants Management to ensure all curricula and policies align with broader institutional and operational priorities
Global Philanthropic Influence: Engage with international philanthropic leaders to advocate for and advise on the adoption of multi-year, flexible funding and institutional strengthening models
Thought Leadership & Communication: Produce internal and external communications—including conference presentations—that highlight how social justice principles are embodied in grantmaking
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
At least 6 years of professional working experience in philanthropy/grantmaking and a strong background in social justice issues in the US and the Global South
At least 6 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 security, grants compliance, financial resilience, and/or leadership.
Deep familiarity with philanthropy and grantmaking practices, including multiyear flexible funding, equitable grantee partner-funder partnership, clear and candid communication and planning.
Strong background and experience in facilitating learning for adults
Deep understanding of the regional context and cultures, including geopolitical landscape, in which Ford works
Knowledge of the landscape of technical assistance providers in the US and in the Global South so that they can identify.
Data analysis experience with both qualitative and quantitative methods
Ability to travel domestically and internationally
Exceptional leadership presence – internally and externally
Exceptional communications skills – strong active listening skills, constructive verbal and written skills, strong public presentation skills
Comfort with periods of ambiguity and constructive participation in ongoing organizational development
Ways of working and engaging that aligns with the Foundation’s mission, core values and commitment to creating a culture of excellence
Masters degree in related field or relevant and equivalent experience
HELPFUL BUT NOT REQUIRED
Fluency in a language other than English spoken in one or more of Ford’s regional offices is helpful
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 salary range for this position is between $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: Permanent
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: To be considered for this position, please upload your CV/resume and a cover letter.
WORKING AT FORD
Commitment to creating a culture where everyone feels respected
A hybrid working model and flexible work arrangement policies offer colleagues the opportunity to engage in meaningful ways and the space to maintain a healthy work-life balance
Professional development and ample opportunities to build your expertise and expand your network
Comprehensive benefits package designed for your well-being and work-life needs, including medical, dental, and vision benefits effective on your first day
Generous time off, including personal, vacation, sick, extended holiday time off, and wellness days
Generous parental leave policy, including birth, surrogacy, adoptive, foster parents, and resources for backup child and elder care that support our colleagues’ ability to attend to family responsibilities
Comprehensive retirement benefits options (with employee and employer contributions of up to 13%), allowing you to invest in your financial future with confidence
Learn more about what it’s like to work at the Ford Foundation.
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.