Senior Program Officer (SPO), Consumer Protection and Suptech

Job Posting Organization:
The Foundation is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Established with the mission that all individuals, regardless of their identity or circumstances, should have the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the Foundation emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various community initiatives. The Foundation is committed to fostering a workplace environment that supports both personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Officer (SPO) for Consumer Protection and Suptech will play a pivotal role in leading and managing the Foundation's Consumer Protection and SupTech portfolio. This position involves collaborating with various stakeholders across the foundation and the financial industry to develop and implement strategies that address consumer protection challenges and enhance market conduct supervision. The SPO will focus on critical areas such as consumer protection issues, regulatory tools for market supervision, anti-money laundering efforts, and technology capacity building for financial regulators in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The role requires innovative thinking to identify and scale best practices while also fostering the development of next-generation technology solutions for risk mitigation. The SPO will work closely with in-country regulators, technologists, and global standard-setting bodies to ensure effective implementation of consumer protection strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Officer will manage a diverse portfolio of grants, contracts, and interventions aimed at implementing the Consumer Protection and SupTech strategy. Key responsibilities include identifying gaps in the consumer protection regulatory landscape, evaluating potential partners, aligning on shared outcomes, co-designing proposals and budgets, and providing insightful analyses and recommendations for funding. The SPO will oversee project implementation, conduct field visits to assess on-ground progress, and seek co-funding opportunities. Additionally, the SPO will advise IFS Country and Usage Program Officers on advancing regulatory elements of their projects, engage with financial regulators and standard-setting bodies, and represent the foundation in international forums. The role requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time, both domestically and internationally.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 10 years of experience advising financial regulators in LMICs on consumer protection regulations or have equivalent experience as a regulator or policymaker. A strong understanding of financial inclusion and consumer protection issues, as well as knowledge of data and information systems, is essential. The ideal candidate will be an innovative problem solver with the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment. Strong relationship-building skills and the capacity to engage with senior leadership in both public and private sectors are crucial. Empathy for the financial needs of consumers and the ability to work collaboratively are also important attributes.

Educational Background:
A graduate degree or equivalent experience in law, economics, development studies, public policy, business administration, or related fields is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of consumer protection and financial regulation.

Experience:
The role requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, particularly in advising financial regulators or working in regulatory roles focused on consumer protection. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of impactful work in enabling consumer protection frameworks in LMICs, showcasing their ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and implement effective solutions.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and oral communication skills. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if it enhances the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in various regions.

Additional Notes:
This position is an 18-month limited-term employment role that can be based in Seattle, WA, or remotely in states where the Foundation is registered to employ remote workers. The salary range for this role is between $169,700 and $254,500 USD, with specific ranges for Seattle and Washington D.C. The Foundation aims to balance competitive pay with its mission, and new hires are typically placed within the salary range based on their skills and experience. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, and the Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring practices.