Program Officer, VCSSA

Helmsley•New York, NY

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Helmsley Charitable Trust seeks a Program Officer (PO) to support the Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa Program’s multi-million dollar annual grant portfolio that aims to improve health and resilient livelihoods in four focus countries. The Program Officer will report directly to the Program Director and will assist with the ongoing development and implementation of the grant program through identifying high-impact grantmaking opportunities and accompanying grantees throughout the grant lifecycle.

Requirements

Completion of an advanced degree (master’s degree or higher) in international development, global health, medicine, or related field.
Minimum 8-10 years of relevant project and/or grant management experience in a non-governmental, non-profit, or philanthropic organization.
Demonstrated experience or technical expertise in global health, health systems strengthening (HSS), innovative health technologies, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), economic development or related discipline; experience in Sub-Saharan Africa preferred.
Familiarity with the types of challenges and opportunities which may arise for grantees and local communities in Helmsley’s programmatic and geographic focus areas in Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zambia).
Experience with grantmaking and/or grant management; working on grants to Sub-Saharan African countries preferred.
Proficiency in reviewing and managing budgets.
Experience with monitoring and impact evaluation, including setting and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to translate concepts succinctly to diverse stakeholders and audiences.
Must be detail-orientated and have strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage priorities on projects with multiple collaborators.
Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgement and initiative, prioritize and accurately complete multiple tasks, and work under deadlines and changing priorities.
Ability to think creatively, encourage innovative problem-solving, and co-create solutions with colleagues and grantees.
Able to maintain confidentiality of information.
Proven track-record of working effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Nice To Haves

Experience living or working in Sub-Saharan Africa a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact and relationship manager with grantees.
Manage the program’s grants through each grant lifecycle, including grant application, due diligence and reporting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and provide ongoing technical support, guidance and accompaniment to applicants and grantees.
Work with grantees to track progress and outcomes.
Identify constructive solutions for grantees when challenges arise.
Work with colleagues and grantees to help identify other implementing partners, donors, technical resources and collaborators working in the same geographies or sectors to optimize the impact of VCSSA grant funding and promote knowledge sharing among Helmsley grantees and partners.
Identify and source new projects and potential grantees.
Review and evaluate proposals and prepare concise and analytical grant recommendations for Trustees.
Contribute to program development and monitoring by organizing, conducting and/or attending meetings, symposia and site visits that further VCSSA program goals, including virtual engagements as well as domestic and international travel (including Sub-Saharan Africa) as needed.
Remain abreast of geopolitical, environmental and contextual issues impacting the geographic and programmatic focus areas of the VCSSA portfolio, advising the Program Director or Trustees as appropriate.
Assist the Program Director with identifying and managing external consultants and contracts.
Effectively communicate information about the VCSSA program and Helmsley’s mission to target audiences, collaborating with and providing support to Helmsley’s Communications department as needed.
Represent Helmsley at external meetings and events.
Collaborate across Helmsley’s other programs and departments (e.g., Communications, Grants Management, Legal).
Amplify awareness of the VCSSA program within Helmsley by serving as a champion of and ambassador for program grantees, projects and strategy.
Perform other duties as assigned.