Program Director, Gender Equality (International)

Ford Foundation; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 269,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Generous paid time off

Job summary

The Ford Foundation seeks a Program Director to lead its Gender Equality program and global team. You will shape strategy, steward grantmaking, and drive alignment across regions to advance gender and sexuality rights.

Reporting to senior leadership, you will build partnerships with international actors, guide program officers, and ensure evidence-based funding that advances social justice and equity in the Global South and beyond.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of gender and sexuality rights work with Global South focus.
• Strong leadership presence internally and externally with Global South engagement.
• Proven track record of shaping policy and program outcomes in Global South.
• Ability to lead, partner, and build with donors and civil society.
• Analytical and data-driven approach to program funding.
• People management of globally distributed teams.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Excellent English written and spoken communication.
• Graduate degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee grantmaking strategy and annual budget for international Gender Equality work.
• Mentor and manage a global team of Program Officers across regions.
• Foster strategic partnerships with multilateral institutions, scholars, practitioners, governments, NGOs, and donor networks to drive impact in gender equality.
• Develop and execute evidence-based funding strategies.
• Serve as external representative for the Foundation in intergovernmental fora and international initiatives.
• Guide Program Officers in aligning grantmaking with strategy and benchmarks.
• Coordinate with US domestic gender equality efforts for cross-learning.
• Present strategy, progress, and insights to leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Skills

Gender justice

Global South experience

Strategic leadership

Policy analysis

Team management

Budget management

English fluency

Public speaking

Education

Graduate degree

Job description

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Ford Foundation seeks a Program Director (Director) to lead and oversee its Gender Equality work and team. Grounded in the Foundation's long-standing commitment to social justice and gender rights, this role will work closely with Program Officers worldwide to achieve strategic programmatic outcomes that advance gender and sexuality rights across multiple regions.

Reporting to senior foundation leadership, the Director provides visionary leadership and strategic direction while managing a globally distributed team of program officers. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with at least 10 years of experience in gender justice, working with diverse sectors, deep experience in the Global South, and demonstrated commitment to supporting the voice and agency of those who have been marginalized from power. They have experience managing complex institutional processes, building alliances across countries and regions, and leading staff through change. They also have a track record of success in achieving specific policy and programmatic outcomes in the Global South. Demonstrating a deep commitment to social justice and equity, they lead with transparency, accountability, and respect while cultivating a healthy, high-performing team environment.

HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE

• Lead and oversee the grantmaking strategy and annual budget for the international Gender Equality work across global and regional programs.
• Build, mentor, and manage a global team of Program Officers across geographically dispersed regions, fostering an enterprise mindset, shared learning culture, and meeting performance delivery goals.
• Initiate and foster strategic partnerships with multilateral institutions, international scholars, practitioners, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and donor networks to leverage positive concrete impact toward common goals in gender equality.
• Develop and execute evidence-based funding strategies that embrace empirical data, rely on evidence to shift investments, and treat setbacks as learning opportunities.
• Serve as an external representative and spokesperson for the Foundation in intergovernmental fora, public discussions, and international initiatives on issues of gender justice, reproductive rights, and gender-based violence prevention.
• Support and guide Program Officers in aligning grantmaking with strategy, attending to grantmaking benchmarks and best practices, and reviewing and approving relevant grants.
• Coordinate closely with colleagues working on domestic gender equality issues in the US to ensure cross-learning and institutional alignment.
• Present strategy, progress, and insights to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience working on advancing gender and sexuality rights in concrete ways, combining policy analysis and implementation experience with an emphasis on the Global South.
• Exceptional leadership presence internally and externally and recognition as a leader within the gender field with extensive engagement with Global South networks.
• Analysis of how power and identity intersect in Global South contexts and a clear track record of ensuring those most affected by inequality help shape solutions.
• Ability to lead, partner, and build with donors and civil society, demonstrating systems thinking ability and a track record of successful collaborations.
• Intellectual agility and ability to analyze evidence, think critically about what actually leads to endurable social change, and understand data directly relevant to programmatic funding areas.
• Demonstrated people management and team management skills, including the ability to build, lead, and coach a globally distributed workforce.
• Strong administrative and fiscal management skills, including experience managing budgets.
• Strong communication skills—active listening, constructive verbal and written skills, and strong public presentation skills in English.
• A graduate level degree in a related field (or equivalent education and experience).

HELPFUL BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Fluency in a second language relevant to the regions in which Ford works.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & TRAVEL

This position is primarily a sedentary role. However, 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, up to 50%; some travel is directly related to grantmaking, but also to attend team conferences, retreats and meetings.

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, [e-mail]

LOCATION

The Director will be based in any of the following offices: Bogota (Colombia), Jakarta (Indonesia), Johannesburg (South Africa), Lagos (Nigeria), Mexico City (Mexico), Nairobi (Kenya), New Delhi (India), New York City (USA), or Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

SALARY

The Ford Foundation is committed to practicing salary transparency. The minimum salary for this position is $269,000-$280,000. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of this range. The base range above represents the good-faith target for candidates based in New York City. For international candidates hired to work permanently in our offices outside of the U.S., the base salary range is adjusted downward by approximately 10%. The final offer is determined by a variety of factors including a candidate’s geographic location, relevant experience and our commitment to internal equity. Local labor laws and required compensation currency are also applicable. We review global compensation on a regular basis to ensure market competitiveness and equity. The hiring range for this position has been carefully crafted in alignment with the market.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

This position may be eligible for employment visa/work permit sponsorship.

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Fixed-term for an initial three years with a possibility of further renewal(s) up to 8 years total.

WORKING AT FORD

• Commitment to creating a culture where everyone feels respected
• A hybrid working model and flexible work arrangement policies offer colleagues the opportunity to engage in meaningful ways and the space to maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Professional development and ample opportunities to build your expertise and expand your network
• Comprehensive benefits package designed for your well-being and work-life needs, including medical, dental, and vision benefits effective on your first day
• Generous time off, including personal, vacation, sick, extended holiday time off, and wellness days
• Generous parental leave policy, including birth, surrogacy, adoptive, foster parents, and resources for backup child and elder care that support our colleagues’ ability to attend to family responsibilities
• Comprehensive retirement benefits options (with employee and employer contributions of up to 13%), allowing you to invest in your financial future with confidence

Learn more about what it’s like to work at the Ford Foundation.

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.