Program Officer (Mars Impact Fund)

At Mars, we believe the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the people and communities we touch. The newly formed Mars Impact Fund is in the process of building a program team to work alongside the Executive Director. Specifically, we are hiring two Program Officers (POs) who will develop and manage a portfolio of partnerships aligned with the Impact Fund’s initial focus areas, which include improving farmer livelihoods and resiliency in our sourcing communities; building the pipeline of food scientists and veterinary professionals; and improving companion animal well-being. The two POs will play a pivotal role in developing the Fund’s strategies, designing breakthrough programs and managing relationships with non-governmental, non-profit, academic, and other impact organizations, and developing and implementing the Impact Fund’s grantmaking and reporting processes. The POs will work collaboratively across Mars businesses, sustainability teams, and other foundations/charities within Mars to ensure alignment, coordination and advance best practices. The POs will also represent the Mars Impact Fund with external audiences 

What are we looking for? 

• Bachelor’s degree 

• At least 12 years of direct experience in global, strategic philanthropy, partnership design, and program management 

• Significant experience in at least one of the Impact Fund’s focus areas (e.g., farmer livelihoods and community resilience in low- income countries, science education; animal welfare, disaster response) 

• Experience designing community-centered programs, pilots, and initiatives that drive significant impact at scale  

• Experience working in complex, global supply chains  

• Experience in global, corporate and/or foundation philanthropy 

• Proven ability to cultivate and manage relationships with diverse stakeholders, including NGO’s, governments, higher education institutions and private sector partners. 

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to articulate a compelling vision  

• Ability to translate social impact concepts into business language 

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action 

• Experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning  

• Knowledge of the nonprofit/NGO sector, international development 

• Experience in grants management and reporting 

What will be your key responsibilities? 

• Partnership development:  Lead the identification and cultivation of breakthrough impact partnership and program opportunities.     

• Partner engagement: Build and lead trusting, long-term partnerships with NGOs, nonprofits, academic institutions, and international development organizations to deliver positive outcomes across our priority focus areas. 

• Grantmaking: Manage the grant application and due diligence process; develop written grant recommendations for the Executive Director and the Board of the Mars Impact Fund. 

• Monitoring, evaluation and learning: Develop and implement evaluation and learning practices that help refine the work and increase impact; establish and maintain relationships with field experts. 

• Budget management: Develop and manage annual and 3-year rolling grant budgets for select focus areas. 

• Project management: Contribute to the development of the Fund’s strategy; drive the development of annual implementation plans, including goals, workplans, and budgets; contribute to the annual reporting process; complete special projects as assigned 

• Grant operations and reporting: Implement and manage a new grants management system, develop grant agreements, and ensure accurate financial and impact reporting. 

• Internal engagement: Develop and maintain productive working relationships with Mars peers working in adjacent areas (e.g., philanthropy/charitable giving, sustainability, R&D, people and organization, corporate affairs) at the corporate and segment levels. 

• External engagement: Represent Mars at external events; collaborate with partners to build and strengthen the nonprofit and international development sector in relevant areas of work; collaborate with the Executive Director and Mars External Communications to share the Fund’s goals and the impact of its work with key stakeholders. 

What can you expect from Mars? 

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles. 

• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today. 

• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University. 

• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus. 

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