The Ford Foundation Seeks Director of the Democratic Participation and Governance Unit
The Director is responsible for fostering learning and evaluation within and across Initiatives, and collaboration and communication among US-based staff and with Representatives and program officers in the Foundation’s overseas offices.
Deadline: May 30, 2014
Location: New York
Organization: Ford Foundation
Summary Description:
The Ford Foundation seeks a dynamic, creative and innovative leader to serve as its Director of the Democratic Participation and Governance unit. Building on Ford’s rich legacy in and longstanding commitment to promoting democratic participation globally, the Director will manage the Foundation’s activities and oversee the programming on increasing civic and political participation, promoting electoral reform and democratic participation, and fostering transparent, responsive and accountable governance systems.
The Focus of The Work:
Lasting social change depends upon the ability of people to help shape the policies that affect their lives. The Foundation’s work focuses on increasing public participation in this decision-making, primarily through supporting robust and inclusive civic organizations that bring diverse people together and give them a voice in the democratic process. The global work focuses on promoting transparent, responsive and accountable governments and strengthening the right of people to assemble and advocate, including strengthening civic organizations and the infrastructure and regulatory environments on which they depend. The Foundation supports policy development to create a legal and fiscal framework through which civil society can flourish and hold governments accountable, particularly in relation with the rights of the historically marginalized.
In the United States, through initiatives on Increasing Civic and Political Participation, Promoting Electoral Reform and Democratic Participation, and Promoting Transparent, Effective, and Accountable Government, the focus is on increasing the participation of historically marginalized communities at all levels of civic and political life and on ensuring that governments are responsive to their interests. This work includes strengthening organizations and networks that build and mobilize the grassroots base for social change and advancing systemic reforms that protect every individual’s right to participation in the political process, from ensuring an accurate census count and fair redistricting to full access to voting. This works also includes efforts to ensure that government policies and resources are sufficient to promote equity and opportunity.
Role and Responsibilities:
Reporting directly to the Vice President of the Foundation’s global Democracy, Rights & Justice program, who manages annual grant-making of more than $140 million in the U.S. and the Foundation’s 10 overseas offices, the Director is a senior program leader of the Foundation, responsible for program development and grant making activities. As part of a matrix organization, the Director manages a set of thematic Initiatives with staff in New York and in the Foundation’s overseas offices. S/he supervises a unit that includes a team of program officers and administrative staff. The Director is responsible for fostering learning and evaluation within and across Initiatives, and collaboration and communication among US-based staff and with Representatives and program officers in the Foundation’s overseas offices. The Director represents the Foundation externally to a diverse set of global stakeholders and communities. S/he will partner with other Directors to advance the Foundation’s mission and objectives.
Qualifications:
- Substantial professional experience working on issues of governance, political equality and participation
- Advanced graduate degree in law or public policy, or other relevant fields
- Record of leadership, planning, and management success
- Experience working with a range of individuals in civil society, government and the private sector in the U.S. and globally
- Familiarity with the use of new technologies to promote social justice
- Demonstrated experience working effectively as part of a team and with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
- Excellent analytical, oral presentation, writing and interpersonal skills
- Fluency in English, and a fluency in a second language is preferred
- Familiarity with philanthropy and nonprofit sector issues in the U.S.
For more information and to apply, visit the website.