Position description

The Ford Foundation seeks a Program Director (Director) to lead and oversee its Democracy and the Rule of Law (International) work and team. Grounded in the enduring vision of governments "of, by, and for the people," this role will implement funding strategies and oversee the management of a portfolio of grants that expand belonging, deepen civic participation and voice, and enable people and communities to thrive.

Reporting to senior foundation leadership, the Director provides visionary leadership and strategic direction while managing a globally distributed team of program officers toward achieving programmatic outcomes. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with deep experience in democratic institutions, global systems, and the rule of law initiatives, particularly involving collaborators from the Global South. They are committed to supporting the voice and agency of those who have been marginalized from power, and have experience managing complex institutional processes and leading staff through change. 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 Democracy and the Rule of Law international work across global and regional programs.
Build, mentor, and manage a global team 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 NGOs, practitioners, government officials, scholars, and private sector leaders to leverage positive impact toward common goals.
Develop and execute evidence-based funding strategies that embrace empirical data and treat setbacks and mistakes as learning opportunities.
Serve as an external representative and spokesperson for the Foundation in intergovernmental fora, public discussions, and international initiatives on issues of civic space, democratic values, and the rule of law.
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 democracy issues in the US to ensure cross-learning and institutional alignment.
Present strategy, progress, and insights to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Qualifications

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience working globally with an emphasis on the Global South in the democracy or the rule of law space and/or social justice philanthropy, combining policy analysis, communications, and implementation experience.
Exceptional leadership presence internally and externally and connectivity with Global South networks.
Analysis of how power and identity intersect in a global context 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, 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

Salary: $269,000 – $280,000

Application instructions