Global Program Officer

Summary

Collaborating closely with the Senior Director of Foundation Operations and Grants  (SDFOG), the Global Program Officer leads program development across the global organization, ensuring the oversight of high-quality projects and grant awards. The role involves actively contributing to the cultivation of strategic relationships, monitoring program and business plans, managing the pipeline, and liaising with country teams and global colleagues to assess program opportunities, facilitate grant award processes, and manage and administer the global program portfolio.

About Us

WomenServe was founded by Nioma Sadler to unlock the potential of women and girls in underserved communities. We support sustainable change by addressing five essential themes that build opportunities, agency, and self-empowerment: community self-reliance; water, sanitation, health and hygiene; education; economic opportunity; and capacity building. WomenServe partners with community leaders and grassroots organizations to create opportunities and environments for women and girls to empower themselves, creating change in their lives and communities. A California non-profit, we are a private operating foundation organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Your Impact

The Global Program Officer provides leadership for the optimization, development, management, and delivery of the global program portfolio, which includes direct capacity-building activities, grantmaking administration, technical assistance, and collaboration. The Officer develops an overall program calendar and project management procedures to track program activity and timelines. Establishes a quality review process and guidelines to ensure grant awards are complete, in compliance, and supporting the Foundation’s mission. The Officer will also develop the grants management database and dashboard, ensure the accuracy and completeness of data, coordinate alignment with the Grants and Finance teams,  and provide reports on program data to the Board of Directors.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development and Strategy

• Develop a deep understanding of WomenServe’s mission, vision, programs (past and present), competencies, and relationships and implement a program and grantmaking portfolio aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term goals. Work with global teams to understand local priorities and needs and ensure intervention design is assets-based and locally owned and driven.
• Work with the SDFOG and Grants team to develop and continuously improve program design, including grantmaking opportunities and directly implemented activities. Continuously seeks opportunities to optimize program impact across the portfolio.
• Ensure program OKRs and grant outcomes map directly to the annual and long-term organizational strategy.
• Work with the Grant managers and the Finance team to develop project budgets aligned with grant and program requirements.

Program and Grants Management

• Ensure the Foundation’s goals and objectives for impact are met by working closely with cross-functional teams and Program team to manage the scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timing for grants and capacity-building program initiatives.
• Oversee the intelligence-gathering and RFP process to identify appropriate grantmaking opportunities from grassroots NGOs and nonprofits, aligned with the Foundation’s areas of investment and geographic focus.
• Collaborate with and assists Program team to monitor and ensure legal and ethical grant implementation as well as ongoing grant-related program, financial, and administrative functions.
• Maintain a systematic and organized approach to managing the grant lifecycle using project management systems, including overseeing grant applications and awards, completing grant agreements, conducting weekly Program management meetings, grant review meetings, and other related processes. 
• Monitor and document the grantmaking workflow processes, forms, templates, reports, and data to ensure full compliance with internal controls and legal requirements.
• Work closely with the Grants Team to assist in troubleshooting and resolving issues or concerns. Identifies areas for improvement and enhancement in grants and program management and provides training as needed.
• Manage Equivalency Determination processes and track renewals.
• Work collaboratively with Program teams to ensure high levels of grantee partner satisfaction.

Communication and Reporting

• Generate reports and data analysis for the Foundations teams.
• Develop high-quality and compelling concept notes, and proposals, and inform the development of program-specific pitches for donor and partner funding opportunities aligned with the Foundation’s coordinated fundraising strategy.
• Maintain close communication with the Finance team on to support program and grant accounting, grant payments, and forecasting if needed.
• Coordinate and assist program staff to ensure consistent quality, timeliness, and content of reporting regarding grant and program monitoring and evaluation.
• Maintain regular communication with Foundation staff, as well as network with professionals in the philanthropic space.
• Provide clear and concise grants administration policies and procedures for the Foundation.

Systems Administration

• Manage implementation of a new grants and program management system and other technology improvements, including development plans and timelines, staff communication, testing and troubleshooting, documentation, training, and release cycles.
• Implement and administer the grantmaking database system, including managing data hierarchy, data quality, data retrieval, coding and reporting, particularly concerning compliance, monitoring, evaluation, and learning. 
• Use data and feedback to improve program and grant implementation management, including processes for reporting. 
• Ensure all staff are aware and knowledgeable of grants management processes and technology to the degree their functions require. This includes designing dashboards and training staff of departments formally and informally. 

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, public administration, business, or similar).
• 5+ years of proven experience in grantmaking and project management, in the nonprofit sector.
• Strong understanding of grant award and management processes, regulations, and compliance.
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills (written and verbal), including a high degree of proficiency in document and deck creation with little or no external input;
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite and G-Suite skills, with proficiency in learning new firm-specific programs and software.
• Ability to work efficiently, juggle multiple projects with appropriate prioritization, adhere to quick deadlines, and adapt to evolving circumstances.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain databases and make improvements where necessary.
• Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to work successfully in a fast-paced, global, multi-cultural, virtual environment across multiple team zones.
• Exceptional interpersonal and cross-cultural skills for building and maintaining relationships with a diverse group of team members and stakeholders.
• Analytical and data-driven mindset for assessing project outcomes and impact.
• Demonstrated interest in gender equality preferred
• Commitment to equity and human rights
• Must bring enthusiasm, friendly and professional demeanor, patience, and a thick skin with a sense of humor and winning attitude
• A willingness to travel to unknown territory in a fast-paced start-up!

What We Offer

• A competitive compensation package.
• Comprehensive benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, generous holidays and paid time off, retirement; laptop and phone provided.
• A highly collaborative yet flexible team culture and work environment.
• Compensation: Depending on experience, starting at $67,000.

Location

• “Hybrid” Remote, based in Wisconsin. “Hybrid” requires a minimum of quarterly travel nationally and internationally to locations including headquarters in Sebastopol, California, and international program sites including India.