THE FORD FOUNDATION
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Program Officer
Human Rights
Peace and Social Justice Program
Cairo, Egypt

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Program Officer for Human Rights will be responsible for developing, monitoring and evaluating a program of grantmaking to strengthen respect for and realization of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights in the Middle East and North Africa. The program currently focuses on increasing the effectiveness of human rights protection, improving access to law and legal protection of rights, and promoting the cultural legitimacy of human rights. Building on this, and under the direction of the Representative in Cairo, the Program Officer will develop a program responsive to the current needs of the human rights movement in the region, working to foster independent and professional approaches to securing human rights; strengthening the governance and management of human rights institutions; exploring effective approaches to promotion of human rights; and encouraging exchange and engagement with human rights movements in other parts of the world. The program will emphasize regional and sub-regional collaboration, with a special focus on Egypt and Palestine and exploratory grant making in the Sudan. All programs in the office include a strong focus on gender and justice and on youth.

The Program Officer is responsible for identifying potential grantees, both non-governmental and governmental; soliciting, reviewing and responding to proposals; recommending and monitoring grants and evaluating lines of programming; and offering support and guidance as needed to actual and potential grantees. S/he is expected to develop and maintain close working relationships with existing and potential grantees, relevant leaders in civil society, and other donors in the field. In addition to coordinating the Human Rights portfolio, the Program Officer will contribute to defining the office’s overall strategic direction for the region, and will seek opportunities to cooperate programmatically with other Cairo Office programs. S/he will also collaborate with colleagues working on human rights in the Foundation’s other offices in Africa to support regional initiatives and networks. With colleagues in New York and in other Foundation field offices the Program Officer will work to advance human rights worldwide.

QUALIFICATIONS: Significant human rights working experience in the Middle East and North Africa and sound knowledge of the human rights movement in the region; a university degree; an advanced degree in a relevant topic preferred or demonstrable equivalent knowledge in the human rights field; experience with grant-making organizations an advantage; ability to conceptualize program ideas and strategies; demonstrated analytical, writing and organizational skills; ability to work with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives; fluency in Arabic and English is required.

Salary is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.

Location: Cairo, Egypt Target Date: June 2005

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. Douglas Miller at 320 E. 43rd St., New York, NY 10017, USA, by January 10, 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.