Job Description

Summary: The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the largest independent foundations in the United States. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities.

In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.

The MacArthur Foundation’s Nigeria Office is finalizing a new five-year strategy that will begin implementation in 2026.A centerpiece of this new work will be the intersection of technology and society, including a focus on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies and we are seeking a Program Officer to lead the grantmaking in these new areas of work The Program Officer will apply their expertise in partnership with the Nigeria and Chicago offices to develop and implement grantmaking strategies and to manage portfolio of grants. We are looking for a person with the skills to translate complex technology issues into a clear research and policy agenda.

The Program

Officer must be comfortable working with governments, civil society, research, and policy institutions at the national, continental, and global levels.

This role is time-limited for an initial period of 5 years, with the possibility of an extension.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in the design, implementation, refinement, and adaptation of grantmaking strategies and in planning future program strategies
• Identify prospective grant recipients and work with prospective grantees to develop proposals that advance grantmaking strategies
• Review and evaluate proposals and grantees’ work
• Conduct background research and due diligence, prepare grant recommendations for administrative and Board consideration, and respond to unsuccessful proposals
• Monitor the performance of grants and the implementation of grant strategies
• Manage a caseload of active grants, review periodic reports, and maintain accurate records and constructive contact with grantees
• Co-organize meetings of prospective grantees, grantees, program advisors, and others in relevant fields
• Keep abreast of current events, developments, and issues in the field to maintain a balanced and objective perspective and approach to grantmaking
• Write extensively for internal purposes
• Conduct research projects and monitor the performance of research grants
• Build and sustain relationships with colleagues across the Foundation, and with leaders, actors and organizations in relevant fields, including the public and commercial sectors.
• Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public events, including as a speaker, panel participant, or event