Program Associate, Francophone West Africa

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Foundation for a Just Society (FJS) envisions a world where all people are equally valued and lead self-determined lives. FJS advances the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQI people and promotes gender and racial justice by ensuring those most affected by injustice have the resources they need to cultivate the leadership and solutions that transform our world.

FJS makes grants to local, national, regional, and global organizations and networks with an emphasis on Francophone West Africa, Mesoamerica, South and Southeast Asia, and the US Southeast. FJS supports efforts that advance long-term, structural change and meet immediate needs that enable women, girls, and LGBTQI people most affected by injustice to be leaders, strategists, and agents of change.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Associate for Francophone West Africa works with grantee partners, provides administrative and programmatic support as well as regional knowledge to support the management and growth of the Francophone West Africa regional portfolio. The Program Associate plays an essential role in supporting the implementation of the regional grantmaking and philanthropic advocacy strategies  and helps to manage relationships with grantee partners in the region.

The ideal candidate for this position is a strategic thinker, strong writer, analytical, highly adaptive, technologically savvy, an independent problem solver, meticulous, collegial, and thrives in a dynamic environment. They have grantmaking experience and a knowledge of women’s rights and LGBTQI movements in Francophone West Africa. This position requires international travel, and is based in New York.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as a point of contact and information resource for grantee partners.
• Assist the Francophone West Africa Program Officer with solicitations for proposals, including gathering additional information from grantee partners.
• Review proposals, reports, and related documents submitted by grantees for accuracy and adherence to appropriate protocols.
• Draft writeups (or funding recommendations) that synthesize funding requests and make the case for funding grantee partners’ work.
• Assist with grants monitoring and ensure that grantee partners submit required documentation on a timely basis.
• Update and maintain the accuracy of grantmaking information including by logging and tracking information in the grants database.
• Contribute to the analysis of progress and final reports from grantee partners as required.
• Help identify grantee partner needs and provide support, as needed, to the Francophone West Africa Program Officer in the grantee partner support process.
• Translate and/or coordinate the translation of proposals and program related materials, as needed.
• Contribute to the development of grantmaking and philanthropic advocacy strategies and portfolio maintenance.
• Maintain current knowledge of developments in gender justice, racial justice, women’s rights and LGBTQI rights in Francophone West Africa through research, site visits, and attendance of convenings and  conferences.
• Compile regional, thematic and grantee partner information, news and analysis.
• Stay up-to-date on relevant grants management policies and compliance requirements and assist program staff to understand, operationalize, and adhere to relevant policies and guidelines.
• Assist in scheduling and coordinating meetings, event planning, technical assistance, and managing travel and site visits.
• Support the Francophone West Africa Program Officer to develop and track the regional budget.
• Provide support, as needed, to the finance teams in processing contracts and payments.
• Identify and advise on ways to improve processes related to grantmaking, including reporting tools and templates, and implement technical improvements for grantmaking processes and team infrastructure.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated commitment to the foundation’s vision and mission, and deep alignment with its values.
• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field (gender studies, anthropology, sociology or international development).
• At least three years of experience in program roles within human rights and social justice nonprofit or philanthropic sectors; proven track record in executing the responsibilities of this position.
• Experience with grantmaking processes, preferably at a public or private foundation.
• Familiarity with gender justice, racial justice; women’s, girls’ and LGBTQI rights; and trends in Francophone West Africa.
• Excellent writing skills in English.
• Bilingual fluency in oral and written French and English.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a small team-oriented environment while also carrying out responsibilities with considerable independence.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong administration and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Effectively manages competing priorities and can re-prioritize tasks, as needed.
• Willingness to embrace critical feedback with a positive attitude.
• Takes initiative, is self-motivated, and has a desire to learn and improve skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with a team.
• Ability to travel internationally (including to Francophone West Africa) and domestically.

• Eligibility to work in the United States.

COMPENSATION AND CULTURE

Salary Range: $72,510 - $90,638 depending on experience.

FJS offers a benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for all eligible employees and their spouses, domestic partners, and eligible dependents.
• 15 Paid vacation days, and office closure Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day.
• 401(k) retirement plan (with employer match).
• 100% employer-paid life insurance, supplemental short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• Generous paid parental leave with full salary continuation.
• Educational support benefits – tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, dependent tuition assistance.
• Supplemental benefits for adoption, reproductive health, surrogacy, and transgender and intersex health.
• Hybrid work environment (based on business or position need)

Covid-19 Guidelines

All staff are expected to be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination on, or before the official start date. Failure to provide proof of vaccination will result in revocation of FJS's offer of employment.

FJS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.