The Ford Foundation is currently looking for a Program Officer to work in the Philanthropy Department of their Beijing Office. The Program Officer is responsible for the development of grant portfolios and ensuring all related activities are designed to deliver on the China office goals and strategies. The Program Officer assesses and analyzes the fields in which the office is focused; identifies key organizational “ecosystems” or fields and opportunities to work with various actors to shape and influence agendas to promote social justice; and plays a leading role in shaping specific grant activities. The Program Officer strives to share substantive knowledge with Foundation colleagues worldwide; collaborate broadly with Ford’s China office team; and serve as a ‘connector’ of grantees. The Program Officer works with practitioners, government officials scholars, NGOs, other and corporate sector leaders on issue of common concern to leverage positive impact toward common goals. More specifically, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the China Program Officer will:

1. Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of team strategies, working toward the China office goals;
2. Develop grant making activities in a team-oriented context that are aligned to the strategic goals of the office strategy and designed to achieve significant and scalable impact;
3. Manage, monitor and coordinate a grants portfolio, including: annual grant planning;
4. Reviewing grants for strategic alignment; identifying and working with prospective grantees to develop proposals for grant recommendations (including helping determine the goals for a grant, its activities, expected results, indicators of success and budget);
5. Conducting organizational assessments; undertaking periodic reviews of progress with grantees; and reviewing financial and narrative reporting from grantees; Develop and implement grantee convenings to strategize and review opportunities, challenges and advances;
6. Recommend and participate in evaluation and other learning activities to guide the evolution of programmatic work, working with the office team

Qualifications:

• A minimum of 8 years [relevant experience] working within one or more of the following: the philanthropy sector; government departments specializing in philanthropy/social sector development; Chinese or international NGOs;
• A proven record of experience and knowledge working in the philanthropy sector;
• A proven record of experience and knowledge working in the field of institutional capacity building
• An advanced degree in relevant field of study such as development studies, public administration, or a related field;
• Experience working with a range of actors: government, multi-lateral institutions, think tanks / universities, social organizations, and the corporate sector, desired;
• Experience working in international organizations, desired;
• Deep understanding of the context of China, its cultures and economies, including geopolitical landscape;
• Fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese (both spoken and written);
• Exceptional leadership presence – internally and externally;
• Exceptional communications skills – strong active listening skills, constructive verbal and written skills, strong public presentation skills;
• Demonstrated ability to be a productive member of a community of people at work, respecting differences while working toward shared goals, comfort with periods of ambiguity, constructive participation in ongoing change processes and organizational development at the foundation; and
• Due to restrictions on the number of expatriate visas the foundation is able to secure under applicable law, the candidate must be a Chinese national.