Senior Program Officer — Workforce and Training

Senior Program Officer — Workforce and Training

Senior Program Officer — Workforce and Training 150 150 mstilwell@stbfoundation.org
Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
Published
March 27, 2020
Location
Omaha
Job Type
Contact Name (not public)
Molly Bartlett

Description

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation (STBF) is a private grantmaking foundation based in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. We work towards a world in which every woman controls her reproduction and all reproductive decisions are treated with dignity and respect. Toward this end, our core mission is to prevent unintended pregnancy and ensure access to safe abortion.

 

Position Title: Senior Program Officer – Workforce and Training

Reports To: Director of Global Programs

Job Location: Omaha, Nebraska – may be flexible, including for those not able to work in the U.S.

Classification: Exempt

 

Background | STBF’s Global Programs (GP) strategy invests in sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world. At the core of our strategy is the central tenet that our funding will lead to permanent change: We want our funding to help build the systems, organizations, and institutions that will outlive our grantmaking, so that women and girls will continue to receive services when our funding comes to an end. In order to deliver on this ambitious strategy, the GP team is expanding thoughtfully, adding strategic and grants management capacity in key areas. Compared to the size of its grant-making, the GP team is small in staff size, though growing globally. We aim to identify opportunities for impact by questioning, piloting, reflecting, learning, and putting learned information to effective use. We are not afraid to fail or change our approach in light of new learnings. We regard our investments as partnerships and regard our grantees as our partners. One of our current priorities is to develop a comprehensive strategy to strengthen systems and institutions to prepare and grow the future workforce for SRHR in the Global South.

 

Position Description | The Senior Program Officer (SPO) – Workforce and Training will report to the Director of GP, and lead efforts to develop and manage implementation of this new strategy, in alignment with the GP’s broader program strategy and the Foundation’s goals. They will play a critical role in building a forward-looking global strategy for our investments in this area, as well as managing and monitoring existing grants that may fit within this portfolio, and scoping and developing new investments. The SPO will also play a critical role in modeling the mind-sets and behaviors of a collaborative and inclusive team culture, contributing to overall implementation of GP’s ambitious strategy. They will demonstrate adaptability with regard to managing and addressing the needs of different stakeholders, both internal and external. The SPO will see themselves as a leader who embraces the opportunity to positively influence — through curiosity, empathy, humor and assistance — their colleagues in the development and vetting of proposals and the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programs.

 

The Ideal Candidate | This position is right for you if you are:

  • Experienced in clinical training | You have extensive experience in clinical training or healthcare education. You have experience with pre- and in-service training and how to strengthen such curriculum in a range of institutions, as well as with building systems and strengthening institutional capacity. You have a strong grasp of medical or hospital systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and how they can and should function most effectively.
  • A training and curriculum designer | You have experience scaling training and educational programs. You have designed and facilitated trainings, understanding how to best support the development of a workforce through formal, informal, and in-service training – preferably having done so in low- and middle-income country settings.
  • Thrive in complexity and ambiguity | You are comfortable in the grey and can find ways to take meaningful steps forward toward clarity amidst a changing backdrop. You seek clarity and guidance when needed, yet remain solutions-oriented and self-directed. You aim to create clarity, not add to complexity.
  • An effective communicator | You know that individuals give and receive messages differently and, therefore, adjust your communication tactics — regarding content, technique, and tone — to land your ideas effectively in a global and remote team. You are committed to transparency and visibility to ensure alignment with the Director and to support an effective, collaborative team. You remain aware of cultural context and power dynamics, thoughtfully communicating to bring others in and along — even in hard conversations. You take the time to listen and understand diverse ideas and opinions.
  • Adaptable with a good sense of humor | You are able to manage up, down, and sideways with relative ease. You keep sight of the end-goal and are flexible in how that is achieved, ready to pivot as needed. You aren’t out for ownership and credit, but to facilitate a smooth and results-driven workflow to serve the mission. You see yourself in service to the mission always, and as part of a team working to realize an ambitious vision.
  • A leader | You are self-aware — embracing continuous learning and leveraging your ability to influence. You understand that energy — positive and negative — is contagious and consciously create collaborative, inclusive, and rich working dynamics. You look for opportunities to develop yourself, coach and mentor other team members, and provide thoughtful and appropriate management of grantees.

 

Responsibilities | Primary responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

 

Strategy Development and Management

  • Lead on the development, management, analysis, and refinement of GP workforce and training strategy
  • Contribute to refinement of Global Programs team’s evolving program strategy

 

Grants Management

  • Develop and manage grants in alignment with new strategy, providing guidance to grantees throughout proposal development and program implementation process
  • Assess grantee performance, program progress, and strategy alignment through written communications and in-person visits
  • Represent the Foundation thoughtfully to past, present, and potential grantee partners, and in external meetings and events

 

Team Leader

  • Exhibits a leadership mind-set; is always leading self, a project, or peers
  • Supports, mentors, and cultivates the growth of junior staff
  • Is an engaged, committed contributor to team initiatives, efforts, and activities

 

 

Requirements

Qualifications | Skills and knowledge the candidate must possess:

  • Health education and/or clinical research background in low- and middle-income settings, focus and experience in SRHR a strong plus
  • Experience with clinical training in range of global settings
  • Strong passion to positively influence global sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls
  • Proven track record designing and leading program strategy to improve outcomes for women and girls
  • The ability to create positive relationships with stakeholders through the appropriate management of their expectations and agreed objectives
  • Excellent written and interpersonal communications skills with diverse audiences
  • Superior organizational and planning skills to balance multiple activities and projects
  • Strong initiative with the ability to work independently and solve problems
  • Attention to detail as well as an ability to take a big-picture perspective
  • Collaborative work style and eagerness to continually learn and grow
  • Patience, flexibility, situational adaptability, and a sense of humor
  • Ability to travel internationally; if not based in Omaha, expect to travel a minimum of 50% of the time to Omaha when not in the field

 

Education and Experience | A range of professional experiences or educational preparation will be considered. Clinical training experience will be prioritized over SRHR but SRHR knowledge is a strong plus.

 

 

How To Apply

Benefits and Compensation | The annual salary range for this position is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. The Foundation offers a full and generous benefits package, including medical/dental insurance and a retirement program.

 

Application Process | Send cover letter and resume or CV to internationalprograms@stbfoundation.org with subject line Senior Program Officer – Workforce and Training. Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed. References, writing samples and other information may be requested. Position finalists will be invited to interview in-person at the Foundation in Omaha, Nebraska, United States.

 

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.