Employment

General Summary:

•Responsible for grantmaking related to development and education, with special responsibility for the Foundation’s initiative on Girls’ Secondary Education within the International Programs.

•Will assess ongoing work in the field, identify prospective grantees, plan and convene meetings related to grantmaking, prepare grant recommendations and monitor grant activities. Stay abreast of current issues in the field.

•May be involved in other aspects of development beyond education, which would also include conducting research, arranging convenings of experts, and helping draft concept papers and strategies, and preparing recommendations for grants across International Program areas.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

•Manage a roster of active grants.

•Evaluate letters of inquiry and grant proposals, respond to grant proposals and prepare grant recommendations for funding.

•Maintain accurate records, monitor grant performance and assess progress on an ongoing basis and participate in the evaluation of grantee work and program area strategies.

•Stay current in the field and maintain an open, even-handed approach to diverse perspectives.

•Investigate opportunities and develop strategies for future grantmaking, including cross-cutting work within the International Programs and across the Foundation.

•Represent the Foundation at meetings in the fields of education and development as assigned.

•Travel domestically and internationally in connection with Foundation duties; this portfolio requires regular international travel.

•Seek and track opportunities for strategic alignment with the funding and policies of U.S. International education, bilateral, and multilateral actors.

•Coordinate with relevant MacArthur country offices to support GSE objectives and programming.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

•The job of the Program Officer entails a significant outreach component. In addition to crafting grant recommendations and supplementary analysis, the Program Officer is expected to engage actively with prospective and existing grantees and with a wide range of experts in the field, so as to help formulate feasible grant strategies and facilitate successful achievement of grant objectives.

•Background research for new work as assigned.

•Participate in Foundation-wide initiatives related to strategy development, monitoring and evaluation, and grants management, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

•An advanced degree in a field relevant in international economics, development and/or education.

•At least five years’ professional experience.

•Expertise related to the secondary education of girls’ in the developing world desired.

•Capacity for regular international travel is essential.

•Must have superior analytical and communication skills, excellent organizational abilities, and the capacity to meet tight deadlines.

•Must also be able to work collaboratively with colleagues and adapt to changing priorities.

•Strong interpersonal skills and a demonstrated capacity for sound judgment while also being open to diverse views and effective at cross-cultural problem-solving.