SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
The Ford Foundation’s China Office seeks a dynamic Program Officer to help drive and shape the strategy of the China Office. The Program Officer should have proven experience and knowledge of aspects of US-China relations, China’s global engagement, including in the Global South, China’s development finance and environmental policies, and/or global governance. The ideal candidate will also be knowledgeable about topics at the intersection of China’s global engagement and social justice, and understand the roles that policy advocacy, organizing, research, narrative shifts, and philanthropy play in advancing social change.
BACKGROUND
Addressing inequality is a key focus of the Ford Foundation globally. China plays a critical role in many global issues consequential to addressing inequality, from technology and society to climate change. China has also become an important global actor and Ford therefore seeks to work with Chinese academics, policymakers, and nonprofits to ensure that China’s impact in the world is equitable and sustainable. Ford also seeks to strengthen the domestic ecosystem for philanthropy and impact investing to mobilize China’s growing wealth for social good.
For decades, the Ford Foundation has been supporting work related to China’s relationship with the United States. As US-China relations have evolved, so have the foundation’s efforts to ensure that the two countries are able to productively engage, especially on issues of global consequence. The office’s grantmaking will support efforts to ensure that China’s economic and political power in the world is better understood, is leveraged to reduce inequality and address global issues where possible and is held accountable to shared international standards roped in values of transparency, accountability, expression and participation. The Program Officer will be based in the Ford Foundation’s Beijing office, report to the Ford’s Regional Director and will build relationships with colleagues in China and the foundation’s other regional offices.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Officer is responsible for the development and implementation of a grant portfolio and ensuring all related activities (grant making, convenings, thought leadership) are designed to deliver on the China office goals and strategies. They will assess and analyze the fields in which the office is focused; identify key ecosystems and opportunities to work with various actors to shape agendas that promote social justice. The Program Officer shares lessons with foundation colleagues worldwide; collaborates broadly with the China Office team; collaborates with other members of the global teams; and serves as a ‘connector’ of grantees. They work with leaders in a variety of sectors (practitioners, government officials, scholars, NGOs, other donors, and corporate sector leaders) on issues of common concern to leverage impact towards common goals.
More specifically as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the China Office Program Officer will:
QUALIFICATIONS
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This position is primarily office based. It requires behind the desk administrative work related to grant making. The person in this position may need to occasionally move about inside the office to liaise with internal staff, access files, office machinery and a copy machine/printer. Additionally, domestic/international travel will be expected (approximately 20%) to visit grantees and attend discussions, convenings, workshops, retreats and conferences.
The Ford Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, the Foundation will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact [email protected].
LOCATION: Beijing, China
TARGET START DATE: Third/Fourth Quarter 2024
SALARY: Salary is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.
Submit your cover letter and CV/resume to be considered for this role
Alignment to Culture and Values
Benefits
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/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law. The Ford Foundation does not discriminate against formerly incarcerated individuals.