The Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa Program (VCSSA Program)

The Helmsley Charitable Trust funds holistic programs that improve the health and well-being of children and families across four focus countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zambia.

Improving health outcomes and building resilience is at the core of our grantmaking. To achieve these mutually reinforcing goals, we aim to increase access to quality healthcare, support the health and wellbeing of mothers and children, eliminate neglected tropical diseases, and advance economic development to build resilient livelihoods, with a focus on rural communities.

Working closely with grantees who collaborate with local implementing partners, community leaders and government authorities, Helmsley ensures that our grantmaking is responsive to community needs while building a foundation for long-term sustainability and local ownership.

To date, Helmsley's VCSSA Program has made over 150 grants totaling $500 million towards this vision of more healthy, resilient and thriving children and families across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Position Summary

The Helmsley Charitable Trust seeks a Program Officer (PO) to support the Vulnerable Children in Sub-Saharan Africa Program's multi-million dollar annual grant portfolio that aims to improve health and resilient livelihoods in four focus countries. The Program Officer will report directly to the Program Director and will assist with the ongoing development and implementation of the grant program through identifying high-impact grantmaking opportunities and accompanying grantees throughout the grant lifecycle.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The VCSSA Program Officer will be a key member of the VCSSA team, working closely with colleagues to support the Program Director and Trustee with all aspects of developing and implementing the VCSSA grantmaking strategy, including responsibilities for grant and relationship management, program development and monitoring, and internal and external engagement.

Grant & Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact and relationship manager with grantees.
• Manage the program's grants through each grant lifecycle, including grant application, due diligence and reporting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and provide ongoing technical support, guidance and accompaniment to applicants and grantees.
• Work with grantees to track progress and outcomes.
• Identify constructive solutions for grantees when challenges arise.
• Work with colleagues and grantees to help identify other implementing partners, donors, technical resources and collaborators working in the same geographies or sectors to optimize the impact of VCSSA grant funding and promote knowledge sharing among Helmsley grantees and partners.

Program Development & Monitoring

• Identify and source new projects and potential grantees.
• Review and evaluate proposals and prepare concise and analytical grant recommendations for Trustees.
• Contribute to program development and monitoring by organizing, conducting and/or attending meetings, symposia and site visits that further VCSSA program goals, including virtual engagements as well as domestic and international travel (including Sub-Saharan Africa) as needed.
• Remain abreast of geopolitical, environmental and contextual issues impacting the geographic and programmatic focus areas of the VCSSA portfolio, advising the Program Director or Trustees as appropriate.

External Engagement

• Assist the Program Director with identifying and managing external consultants and contracts.
• Effectively communicate information about the VCSSA program and Helmsley's mission to target audiences, collaborating with and providing support to Helmsley's Communications department as needed.
• Represent Helmsley at external meetings and events.

Internal Collaboration

• Collaborate across Helmsley's other programs and departments (e.g., Communications, Grants Management, Legal)
• Amplify awareness of the VCSSA program within Helmsley by serving as a champion of and ambassador for program grantees, projects and strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

• Completion of an advanced degree (master's degree or higher) in international development, global health, medicine, or related field.
• Minimum 8-10 years of relevant project and/or grant management experience in a non-governmental, non-profit, or philanthropic organization.
• Demonstrated experience or technical expertise in global health, health systems strengthening (HSS), innovative health technologies, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), economic development or related discipline; experience in Sub-Saharan Africa preferred.
• Familiarity with the types of challenges and opportunities which may arise for grantees and local communities in Helmsley's programmatic and geographic focus areas in Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zambia).
• Experience with grantmaking and/or grant management; working on grants to Sub-Saharan African countries preferred.
• Proficiency in reviewing and managing budgets.
• Experience with monitoring and impact evaluation, including setting and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to translate concepts succinctly to diverse stakeholders and audiences.
• Must be detail-orientated and have strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including the ability to manage priorities on projects with multiple collaborators.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgement and initiative, prioritize and accurately complete multiple tasks, and work under deadlines and changing priorities.
• Ability to think creatively, encourage innovative problem-solving, and co-create solutions with colleagues and grantees.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Proven track-record of working effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Experience living or working in Sub-Saharan Africa a plus.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Salary, Health, Well-being, and Living Our Mission

Helmsley is committed to offering competitive and equitable compensation commensurate with experience. The targeted starting salary range for this position is $180,000-$193,000.

Comprehensive benefits currently offered to employees (subject to change) include:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families
• Generous 401(k) employer contribution
• Hybrid work schedule (up to two remote days a week)
• 23+ paid vacation and sick days
• 13+ paid holidays
• End of year office closure
• Summer Fridays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Personal and team professional development opportunities

Application Information

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume (in Word or PDF format) to the posting listed on the Helmsley Career Page. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact [redacted].

The position is based at Helmsley's main office in New York City. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Helmsley currently permits a hybrid schedule requiring employees to work onsite in-office [at least] 3 days per week and 2 days remote with specific schedules determined by manager. The ability to work onsite and collaborate in person with colleagues at Helmsley's office is an essential function of this job.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required for the position. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.