Program Director, Gender Equality (International)

About the role

The Ford Foundation is seeking a Program Director to lead and oversee its Gender Equality work and team. Reporting to senior foundation leadership, the Director sets strategic direction and manages a globally distributed team of Program Officers, working with them to advance gender and sexuality rights across multiple regions. The position is fixed-term for an initial three years, with possible renewals up to 8 years total, and is based in one of eight offices: Bogota, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Lagos, Mexico City, Nairobi, New Delhi, New York City or Rio de Janeiro.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the grantmaking strategy and annual budget for the international Gender Equality work.
• Build, mentor and manage a global team of Program Officers, fostering a shared learning culture and performance delivery.
• Foster partnerships with multilateral institutions, scholars, practitioners, government agencies, NGOs and donors.
• Develop and run evidence-based funding strategies, using data to shift investments.
• Act as an external representative and spokesperson for the Foundation in intergovernmental fora and international initiatives on gender justice, reproductive rights and gender-based violence prevention.
• Guide Program Officers in aligning grantmaking with strategy and approve relevant grants.
• Coordinate with colleagues on domestic gender equality issues in the US and present strategy and progress to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Required profile

• At least 10 years of experience advancing gender and sexuality rights, with policy analysis and implementation, emphasizing the Global South.
• Leadership presence recognized in the gender field, with extensive engagement with Global South networks.
• Ability to lead, partner and build with donors and civil society, and to manage a globally distributed team.
• Strong administrative and fiscal management skills, including budget management.
• Graduate-level degree in a related field (or equivalent education and experience).
• Fluency in a second language is helpful but not required; English is required for public presentations.

What we offer

• Salary range of $269,000-$280,000 for New York City-based candidates, adjusted down by about 10% for permanent international hires; visa/work permit sponsorship may be available.
• Hybrid working model and flexible arrangements.
• Medical, dental and vision benefits from day one, generous time off and parental leave.
• Retirement benefits with employee and employer contributions of up to 13%.