The deadline to apply is Friday, December 4th. Please submit both a resume and cover letter to be considered. ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY 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. 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 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, [email protected] LOCATION The Director will be based in any of the following offices: Bogota (Colombia), Jakarta (Indonesia), Johannesburg (South Africa), Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya), New York (USA), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), or Mexico City (Mexico). 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. #Li-Hybrid 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. The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than 80 years it has worked with visionary people on the front-lines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has ten regional offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. We're always looking to grow our talent pool! If interested, please click Get Started to learn more. By providing your personal data during the employment application process, you consent to the processing of your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

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30 Oct, 2026

Fordfoundation

Program Director, Gender Equality (International) 

Leadership

$269k–280k/yr

Location not stated

more at Fordfoundation.

Program Director, Gender Equality (International)&nbsp;

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