THE FORD FOUNDATION
Community and Resource Development and Economic Development
Asset Building and Community Development Program
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Program Officer will develop and manage program activities in Vietnam that draw on the fields of Environment & Development and Development Finance. The program focuses on promoting asset building by individuals and groups in durable ways that reduce poverty and disadvantage by enabling low income people in Vietnam's Uplands to gain access to natural assets and build the productivity and value of those assets through the growth of community-based and small scale enterprises and markets, while safeguarding the environment. It will also seek to create opportunities for people living in conditions of poverty in urban and rural areas to develop and sustain micro enterprises by providing them financial services. Support will also be required for programs to train field workers in approaches and tools of asset building and community development.
Working with the Representative and other Foundation staff in the Hanoi office, the Program Officer will be responsible for shaping and implementing a grantmaking strategy; identifying prospective grantees; soliciting, reviewing and responding to grant proposals; preparing recommendations for Foundation funding; monitoring grants made and assessing outcomes and lessons learned. The Program Officer will also work closely with Foundation colleagues worldwide in both the Environment & Development and Development Finance fields.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Thorough knowledge of and experience with strategies and development trends in Environment & Development and Development Finance and with institutional models in community-based enterprise development and financial services to low income households. Significant experience in microfinance in two or more countries, especially in operations of or technical assistance to retail service providers, including newer institutions. Graduate degree in economics, business administration or social sciences. Strong conceptual, analytical, organizational, and financial analysis skills. Ability to communicate easily and concisely in both written and spoken English. Willingness to learn Vietnamese. Excellent facilitation skills.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Fluency in Vietnamese is highly preferred. Previous grant-making and related experience is also desirable.
LOCATION: Hanoi, Vietnam
TARGET DATE: October, 2005
Salary is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.
To apply for the position visit www.fordfound.org/employment or send full application materials (consisting of substantive cover letter, c.v., and a 5-20 page sole-authored writing sample in English) to Mr. D. Miller at 320 E. 43rd St., New York, NY 10017, USA, by May 27, 2005.
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.
April 2005 #999