THE FORD FOUNDATION
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

PROGRAM OFFICER
Higher Education
Johannesburg, South Africa

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Program Officer will be responsible for the conceptualization and management of the Foundation’s program activities in South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. S/he will be expected to support efforts to address higher education’s role in a rapidly changing environment. Programming will focus on helping higher education institutions broaden their missions, in particular in building the capacity of higher education institutions to be relevant and responsive to the social and economic needs in Southern Africa. The key areas of engagement are:

· Widening access to higher education institutions – both for 18 to 24 year-olds from marginalized communities and for adult learners who have not had an opportunity to participate in formal learning.
· Renewing the higher education sector in the context of rapid socio-political changes in the region including the development of new kinds of institutions, new curricula, and administrative reforms.
· Strengthening the research capacity of Southern African universities and other higher education institutions with the aim of enhancing their capacity to build new knowledge to strengthen social and economic development
· Encouraging connections between higher education and other post-school institutions at different levels of the education continuum, including the support of the tertiary sector’s capacity to strengthen K-12 education and other “pipeline” concerns.

The Program Officer is responsible for identifying prospective grantees; soliciting, reviewing and responding to grant proposals; and preparing recommendations for Foundation funding.

QUALIFICATIONS: Required qualifications include an advanced academic degree in a relevant field, preferably with administrative and teaching experience in an institute of higher learning and demonstrated capacity in influencing policy environment in higher education. An aptitude for working with institutions as they adapt to new circumstances would be especially valuable; a thorough understanding of the context of higher education transformation in Southern Africa would be desirable. Familiarity with grant making institutions is welcomed. Strong conceptual, organizational, and writing skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues are essential attributes.

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

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) to Mr. Douglas Miller at 320 E. 43rd St., New York, NY 10017, USA, by August 1, 2004.

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.

June 2004