Program Officer, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to fighting poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves the chance to lead a healthy and productive life, the foundation emphasizes diversity among its employees to reflect the populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, and opportunities for employee engagement. The foundation is committed to fostering a supportive work environment that promotes personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The Program Officer (PO) for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WSH) will play a crucial role in leading priority investments and supporting strategic execution within the WSH Market segment and Industry Development portfolio. This position involves collaborating with senior program officers and deputy directors to manage day-to-day portfolio operations. The PO will focus on advancing the WSH strategy aimed at commercializing and scaling transformative sanitation technologies. Responsibilities include managing a portfolio of grants and contracts, engaging with industry partners, and identifying opportunities to strengthen partnerships and accelerate market formation. The role demands strong critical thinking, rigorous portfolio management, and effective partner engagement, requiring the PO to synthesize input and learning across the portfolio to inform strategic decisions and actions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Program Officer will be responsible for backstopping portfolio leads in daily management and execution of the portfolio. This includes partnering with senior program officers and program leadership to translate market and industry development priorities into actionable investments and partner engagements. The PO will coordinate deliverables and manage processes that track progress and performance across the portfolio and individual grants. They will lead their own grants from development through closeout, reviewing progress and making recommendations to enhance impact. Building and maintaining trusted relationships with partners is essential, as is aligning diverse priorities around shared goals. The PO will also synthesize evidence and learning across investments, support decision-making, and collaborate with various foundation teams to ensure effective execution. The role may require up to 25% travel.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, particularly in project or portfolio management and client-facing roles. A proven track record of translating strategic objectives into concrete actions is essential. Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills are required, along with the ability to manage multiple investments and partners effectively. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to build trusted relationships with external partners and navigate complex conversations. Collaboration and influencing skills are crucial, as is the ability to work across various internal functions and adapt to different work styles. Familiarity with market dynamics for new products or technologies is advantageous, especially in emerging markets.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree is required, with a preference for candidates who have experience in project or portfolio management. Relevant fields of study may include public health, international development, or related disciplines that provide a strong foundation for understanding the complexities of water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives.

Experience:
Candidates should have a background in project or portfolio management, with experience in managing partnerships and client-facing roles. A history of translating strategic priorities into actionable plans and demonstrating strong grant and project management skills is essential. Experience working across different countries and cultures is preferred, as is familiarity with the dynamics of bringing new technologies to market.

Languages:
While English is mandatory, proficiency in French is considered a plus, particularly for candidates working in diverse cultural contexts and regions where French is spoken.

Additional Notes:
This position is an 11-month limited-term opportunity based in Seattle, WA, offering foundation benefits and a flexible/hybrid work schedule. Relocation assistance is not available for this role. The salary range for this position is between $143,000 and $214,400 USD, with higher ranges for specific locations like Seattle and Washington D.C. The foundation aims to balance competitive pay with its mission-driven approach, and new hires typically fall between the minimum and midpoint of 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 providing an inclusive hiring experience for all candidates.