Chief Program Officer

Helen Keller Intl
Job Announcement

Chief Program Officer
(NYC; DC; or hosted by a Helen Keller project office)

Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with
communities striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential
building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, we help millions of people create
lasting change in their own lives. Working in more than 20 countries - across Africa, Asia,
Europe and the United States - and together with a global community of supporters, we are
ensuring every person has the opportunity - as Helen did - to reach their true potential.

Helen Keller is seeking a Chief Program Officer to lead a vibrant portfolio and guide our evolution
to a systems approach to developing solutions in food and health, ensuring superior program
quality, and promoting idea generation and innovation to enhance achievement of our mission.

Functional Relationships
Reporting to the President & CEO, the Chief Program Officer (CPO) serves on the Executive
Management Team (EMT) for the global organization and is the primary liaison to the Program
Committee of the Board of Trustees. The CPO also serves on the organization's Funding
Decisions Group, a strategic leadership team that reviews and approves business
development activities. The CPO directly supervises a team of senior technical staff and works
closely with colleagues at all levels of our organization. Helen Keller has a matrixed reporting
structure. Regular communication and a spirit of teamwork among colleagues, both
hierarchically and laterally are essential to make this structure thrive.

Helen Keller's programs require close relations with governments, partner NGOs, private
industry, donors, UN agencies, universities and research partners. The CPO plays a key role
in nurturing and overseeing many of these cooperative relationships and representing Helen
Keller to donors and the international community.

Scope of the Position
As one of Helen Keller's global leaders, the CPO acts as an advisor to the President and CEO
and collaborates with members of the EMT on strategic global development initiatives, and
organization-wide planning and decision making. S/he facilitates and fosters effective
collaboration to ensure healthy and robust information flow and knowledge sharing in our multi-
dimensional organization.

As Helen Keller's top program position, the CPO will drive innovation and program
development, ensure program quality, and position Helen Keller as a thought leader and
implementing partner for systems-oriented solutions to global health and nutrition challenges.
S/he will weave together the pillars of Helen Keller's work in nutrition, neglected tropical
diseases and vision to ensure an integrated approach where appropriate, and the identification
of cross-cutting themes and synergies. In partnership with the CEO, the CPO will forge and

articulate Helen Keller's programmatic vision, strategy and external positioning among all
internal stakeholders in order to communicate it effectively with all donors and external
stakeholders.

The CPO will nurture, oversee and expand Helen Keller's rich mix of partnerships and initiatives
and ensure an inclusive approach to program design, including potential partners and clients in
key aspects of program design from the start. Working closely with program vice presidents,
the CPO will be ultimately responsible for the quality of our technical programs and
implementation research.

S/he will provide and/or ensure high-level leadership and representation of Helen Keller in policy
fora and relevant conferences and meetings both within the regions where we work and
internationally. In addition, the position will be instrumental in efforts to mobilize resources -
both restricted and unrestricted - and to this end will nurture existing donor relationships,
proactively identify new opportunities and drive excellence, innovation and scale in program
design and delivery.

We will consider a flexible location in the US or hosted by one of our country offices.
Regardless of where the position is posted, considerable international travel, including quarterly
travel to NY will be expected.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Vision
* Contribute vision and expert input into organization-wide strategic and annual planning and
decision making.
* Lead the implementation of our recently refreshed strategy which embraces a systems
approach in food and health.
* Promote technological and program design innovations to continually enhance program
impact; and introduce group tools and processes that encourage creative thinking.
* Identify and nurture strategic opportunities and potential partnerships to develop and
expand Helen Keller's leadership in food systems (expanding beyond production and
consumption to include value chain and marketing) and in deploying a health systems
approach to tackling problems in nutrition, NTDs and eye health.
* Identify and nurture strategic opportunities and potential partnerships to advance Helen
Keller's focus on operational research, guiding the prioritization of research to support
organizational strategy.
* Identify and analyze trends and their programmatic consequences (e.g., climate change,
localization, increasing childhood overweight, rising urbanization, other disease burden, etc.)
and search for emerging opportunities that correlate with the mission and expertise of Helen
Keller.
* Build on Helen Keller's legacy of forging a rigorous approach to measuring and sharing our
impact and programmatic outcomes for both internal and external audiences by leading the
continuous improvement of both program monitoring and evaluation, program information
systems, and strategic metrics. Inspire ownership of data and promote its use at all levels,
including ongoing learning and reflection to inform future action.
* Lead the development of program relevant policies, standards and guidelines.
* Lead proactive collaboration and integration of technical staff across program offices and
across departments.
* As primary liaison to the Board Program Committee, work with Committee Chair to prepare
agendas. Present and/or arrange for presentations by other program experts to the Board of
Trustees.
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Management and Quality Assurance
* Provide leadership and oversight of technical quality of all programs, in close collaboration
with the COO who leads program implementation.
* Lead a team of senior staff across technical disciplines to align annual goals with our
strategic plan for program activities and to ensure optimal collaboration and cross-
fertilization.
* Lead a constant cycle of reflection and learning based on evidence generated by Helen
Keller and the global health community.
* Provide guidance and oversight to highly-skilled program and cross-disciplinary teams to
ensure:
o Technically sound and innovative design, high quality implementation and
evaluation of all programs;
o Optimal impact, sustainability, scalability and cost-effectiveness of all programs;
o Inclusive approach to program design, including potential partners and
beneficiaries;
o Compliance with Helen Keller standards, policies and procedures, and processes;
o Compliance with donor requirements, including timely and accurate reporting of
results;
o Presentation of Helen Keller's work and results in peer reviewed or industry journals,
and at key international meetings; and
o The gathering of regular highlights and success stories from programs for internal
and external communications.
* Model collaboration for your matrixed team: effectively consult and inform colleagues to
maximize efficiency and knowledge sharing and integrate guidance and direction from
subject matter experts across the global organization to maximize performance.
* Lead the development of mechanisms to pro-actively solicit partner and beneficiary
feedback.
* Collaborate in the development and implementation of initiatives to enhance efficiency, risk
management, communications and consistency of program operations worldwide.
* Plan and convene and/or attend and present at periodic internal meetings and events
to promote staff development, disseminate best practices, launch new initiatives,
foster innovation, etc.
* Interview, hire and develop employees; plan, assign and direct work; manage
performance of direct reports and support them to effectively manage their own teams.
* Delegate authority, consult with, and guide staff to achieve goals and contribute to an
atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.
* Ensure accountability to beneficiaries, partners, colleagues, and donors by providing
ongoing feedback in a context of mutual respect.

Business Development
* Proactively nurture existing donor relationships and actively scope and identify new
partnerships and collaborative opportunities that may lead to new concepts, and
differentiation of Helen Keller's offerings to drive new business development and/or
enhance the quality, depth and reach of Helen Keller's work.
* Ensure the highest quality technical components and innovative program design in all
proposal development.
* As a member of the EMT, monitor effectiveness of the organization's business
development activities and work with leadership to address issues that impede
successful business development outcomes.

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Representation, Research, Advocacy and Policy
* Leverage public health and development expertise to ensure Helen Keller maintains a
position of technical excellence and prominence.
* Partner with Helen Keller's CEO and Director of Advocacy to maximize the organization's
ability to influence relevant policy and funding decision, both with western donors and in
countries where Helen Keller works.
* Identify operational research needs and opportunities for partnerships and funding to
address these, and publication of results.
* Lead or support partnerships for research in Helen Keller program areas with organizations
under the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR), such as the
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Potato Center (CIP)
and HarvestPlus; relevant universities and academic programs, including those from the
global south; and other scientific and academic institutions as appropriate.
* Engage with and/or guide engagement with key global and regional bodies and fora to
maintain visibility and leadership of Helen Keller and to foster a supportive policy, planning
and funding climate, including the regional offices of bi- and multilateral donor groups such
as FAO, UNFPA, UNICEF, USAID, WFP, WHO and the World Bank; International Agency
for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB); Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network; International
Coalition for Trachoma Control; ESPEN; ASEAN, WAHO; NEPAD; ECOWAS; ESCA-HC,
and African Union; the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement; among others.

Qualifications
Seeking a recognized public health professional with a proven track record of leadership and
multifaceted expertise, and a weight of experience as demonstrated by the following:

Experience
* Minimum of 15 years progressively responsible management positions in public health, plus
an advanced degree in a relevant field of study, or equivalent combination of education and
experience.
* Direct field experience in public health programming, including significant experience living
and working in Africa and/or Asia, preferably in food systems and/or health systems, with a
focus on nutrition, NTDs and/or eye health.
* Deep understanding of working with relevant institutions and partners in global public health
- candidates are expected to bring their own network of relevant partners.
* Proven track record leading successful public health business development and proposal
efforts that have secured substantial funding from government, non-government and private
donors.
* Strong background in the management of complex programming and operations.

Key Competencies and Attributes
* Demonstrated strategic mindset with the ability to resourcefully adapt, plan and innovate.
* A deep systems-thinker with strength and experience in knowledge management and
knowledge sharing.
* Strong scientific and research skills (as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and
presentations at international conferences).
* Ability to manage a thought-leadership and external networking agenda.
* Entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.
* A committed life-long learner who will support all knowledge-sharing and learning initiatives
within Helen Keller.
* Tech savvy in advocating for and using cutting-edge practices and technology in
programming and operations.
* Strong financial management acumen.
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* Current knowledge of the funding landscape in areas aligned with Helen Keller's mission;
* Demonstrated writing ability and superb communication skills to make effective, persuasive
speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public
groups, and/or boards of directors.
* High level of fluency in French, speaking and writing, a strong plus.
* Willingness and ability to undertake international and field travel to the developing world
(approximately 30%).

Social Intelligence and Management Acumen
* In regard to internal Helen Keller stakeholder relationships, the ability to embrace and thrive
in a matrixed structure through building respectful relationships of trust and collaboration;
* In regard to the teams and staff that you directly supervise, the ability to foster a creative,
professional, "open door" management culture; to empower senior staff, managers and staff
members to fulfill their potential; and to encourage staff to challenge assumptions;
* In regard to leadership on the EMT, the ability to go above and beyond to support the work
and roles of your senior colleagues;
* In regard to the Board of Directors, the ability to support the CEO and the EMT in ensuring
excellence in communications, engagement and partnership;
* In regard to external donors and partners, the ability forge innovative and productive
relationships across sectors, industries and borders based on mutual credibility and trust
and to successfully negotiate policy changes, memoranda of understanding, partner
commitments, etc.

To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to HKI.Recruitment@hki.org
noting the job title in the subject line.

In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller is dedicated to
building an inclusive workforce where diversity in all its forms is fully valued.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender
identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a
qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or
interview process, please contact us at the email above or call: +1 646-356-1789.

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