SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
The Ford Foundation seeks a dynamic and creative leader and strategist
for this newly created senior management position, directing one
of the seven thematic areas that will define our programming. Reporting
to one of the three Program Vice Presidents, the Director will be
responsible for overseeing the two lines of work that will define
this thematic area, supported by a team of grant makers and a program
investment officer. Additionally, the Director will be responsible
for managing key support staff (program associates, financial analyst,
program assistants and department coordinator) who are based in
this thematic area.
The Foundation's overall aim is to disrupt the drivers of inequality
via seven (7) mutually reinforcing thematic areas of programming:
Civic Engagement and Government; Creativity and Free Expression;
Equitable Development; Gender, Racial and Ethnic Justice; Inclusive
Economies; Internet Freedom; and Youth Opportunity and Learning.
Inclusive Economies will work through government, business, and
civil society to help create economies that are fair, accountable,
and provide broadly shared prosperity and opportunity. The foundation
has defined these seven areas through an intensive strategic planning
process, now giving directors and their teams significant room to
shape specific programming priorities and approaches (See "What's
next for the Ford Foundation").
Specifically the two lines of work the Director will be responsible
for are: Quality Work and Economic Security and Impact Investing.
(See "Our Approach Inclusive Economies"). Illustratively,
the Foundation's most recent work in this area includes enhancing
job quality in rapidly changing labor markets, improving and accelerating
financial inclusion, promoting rural livelihoods through inclusive
value chains tied to leading global companies, piloting and scaling
innovative forms of social protection, promoting "high-road"
business practices and models, making impact investments, and advancing
the practice of impact investment.
The Director will be responsible for targeted collaboration with
and among the other six (6) Thematic Area Directors. Their teams
will pursue and integrate a variety of creative, but rigorous approaches
to achieving impact, from research and policy advocacy to demonstrations
(creating "proof points"), cultivating transformative
learning and innovation networks, building implementer capacity,
deploying capital as impact investment, building awareness and constituencies
for change, and working to directly advise key decision makers in
the public, private and nongovernmental sectors.
The Director will also work in concert with the Foundation's Representatives,
who manage our 10 overseas offices across Asia, Africa and Latin
America. The work is both domestic and global, and our work outside
the U.S. is focused on the global South.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Help refine and advance the strategic goals
and global outcomes for Inclusive Economies and work with teams
across the world to develop specific approaches for achieving
social change objectives. Among internal partners, collaborate,
in particular, with other Thematic Area Directors working to
advance change worldwide.
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Ensure that strategic and operational objectives
are aligned with the Foundation's overall thematic goals and
region-specific priorities.
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Approve and oversee the alignment of grants
worldwide to thematic area strategy, consulting with Representatives
and supervising VPs on overseas grant making.
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Incorporate the Foundation's commitment to
strengthening mission-critical institutions into an integrated
strategy that achieves the specific objectives of the Inclusive
Economies thematic area.
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Develop and oversee evaluation and learning
plans for Inclusive Economies lines of work, with support from
the Strategy and Learning office and colleagues worldwide.
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Continuously review the overall strategy,
revising the strategy as needed based on learning from the grant
monitoring and evaluation processes and other sources of evidence,
and respond to new challenges and opportunities. Partner with
other thematic area directors and the Strategy and Learning
office to ensure cross learning.
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Lead regular strategy reviews with Program
VPs.
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Partner with regional Representatives on
regional strategy and alignment.
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Provide thought partnership to the Program
VPs and President on the effective deployment of discretionary
funds managed by them to (a) advance innovation and cross-theme
priorities and (b) play a "search light" function
for the field.
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Direct line management of grant makers (program
officers) and the program investment officer who runs the Program-Related
Investment Fund, in addition to program associates, program
assistants and department coordinators.
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Serve as an exceptional manager of team leads
and team performance, set annual performance objectives for
team leads, and provide timely feedback, coaching and mentoring
for performance and career development.
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Manage all aspects of U.S. and global program
and operations, including budgets and all human resources needs
(e.g. travel, consulting needs, and hiring and promotion).
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Promote a collaborative working environment
within the team and across teams that maximizes the diverse
backgrounds, perspectives and skills of staff that contribute
to the development of the Inclusive economies strategy.
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Serve as ambassador of work internally and
externally, a relationship builder, connector, and source of
leverage.
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Represent the foundation and its work to
all potential partners - the government, media, private sector,
academia, and philanthropy - through meetings, updates, speeches,
briefings and interviews.
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Help develop and lead external communications
strategies to advance the goals of the Inclusive Economies strategy
and the Foundation as a whole.
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Assist in developing strategies for disseminating
the impact of the Inclusive Economies work, both within and
beyond the foundation.
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As appropriate, lead planning and execution
of strategic convenings to advance the objectives of the Inclusive
Economies strategy.
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At least 10 years of professional
experience working on issues related to economic growth and
development, the role of business in society, employment, wealth
and poverty, and income security or other social protection
systems.
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Knowledge and application
of globalization, governance and public policy, cross-sector
partnerships, advocacy and research, and systems thinking and
development approaches to advancing solutions to important societal
problems.
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Advanced graduate degree
in economics or another behavioral science, public policy, political
economy, management, planning, law, or other relevant fields.
A strong foundation in economics is strongly preferred.
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Significant strategy development
and management expertise with knowledge and experience in applying
evaluation methods and metrics.
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Highly skilled experienced
people manager in a global and matrixed context.
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Experience working with
a range of individuals in civil society, government and the
private sector in the U.S. and globally.
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Familiarity with the use
of information and communications technologies to promote social
justice.
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Demonstrated experience
working effectively as team leader and as part of a team, with
colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
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Excellent interpersonal
and communication skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence.
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Excellent analytical, oral
presentation and writing skills.
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Fluency in written and
spoken English essential and fluency in a second language preferred.
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Familiarity with economic
and social development issues globally. Varied overseas work
experience, along with working knowledge of U.S. history and
domestic challenges, is strongly preferred. Working knowledge
of philanthropy will be helpful.
ALIGNMENT TO THE MISSION AND CULTURE OF THE FORD FOUNDATION:
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Commitment to the Foundation's
mission and core values of equity, fairness and diversity
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Personal qualities of humility,
capacity for self-reflection, and a sense of humor
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Discretion and ability
to handle confidential issues
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Action-orientated and entrepreneurial
self-starter who can work well independently and in teams
Location: New York, NY
Salary is based on experience and on the Foundation's commitment
to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.
Deadline to apply: Until filled.
To apply: Please visit http://www.fordfoundation.org/careers/
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 preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship,
disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic
as established under law.
January 29, 2016.
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