Senior Program Officer (Northern & Western Europe)

The Senior Program Officer will implement the regional funding programs serving Wikimedian communities in Northern & Western Europe.  Roles and Responsibilities Funding Strategy & Portfolio Management Implement the Community Resources grantmaking strategy while taking into consideration community needs, opportunities, movement trends, and the regional geopolitical and cultural context. Analyze regional and global patterns to shape funding rationales and priorities. Design program activities with colleagues to achieve significant, scalable impact. Manage, implement and monitor the regional grant portfolio to ensure alignment with strategy, criteria, and impact goals. Lead annual grant planning: identify and support prospective and returning grantees, review proposals, co-develop funding rationales with the regional funding committee. This also includes conducting organizational assessments (financial and narrative) to inform funding rationales.  Work collaboratively across Foundation teams to support implementation of funding program and team objectives. Represent the Foundation internally and externally as an ambassador for regional knowledge, priorities and insights. Committee Development  Build, onboard, and develop regional funding committees aligned with regional needs and opportunities to enable transparent decision-making as part of participatory grantmaking approaches. Set agendas for committee discussions (priorities, financial analysis, partner and regional insights) and facilitate inclusive funding deliberations. Provide context, analysis, and synthesis of committee feedback into funding recommendations and decisions. Provide constructive feedback to applicants and grantees on outcomes and expectations linked to funding decisions. Community & Funding Partner Management  Build and sustain trust-based relationships with communities, grantees, and applicants across the region; act as primary liaison between WMF and partners. Understand community needs, dynamics, and challenges; support conflict resolution or sensitive discussions when required. Support institutional strengthening of grantee partners; connect them with relevant and needed best practices and resources. Design and support convenings, collaborations, and knowledge sharing to enable learning amongst partners within the portfolio, with the community and ecosystem. Engage regional philanthropic spaces and leaders to strengthen grantee support and advance meaningful and mission-aligned philanthropy practices. Evaluation and Learning  Review grantee progress through conversations, reports, and site visits and share insight reports.  Reviews and approves grant reports, following up when necessary to ensure completeness, discussing concerns, and offering appropriate guidance and support. Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities from grantmaking data to inform the grant strategy, regional priorities and resource allocation. Share learnings with colleagues, committees, and movement partners; contribute to strategic conversations on resource allocation. Skills and Experience: The right person is better than the right set of experiences. These are the traits we’ve identified that make great additions to our team so far. Solid knowledge of trust-based philanthropy or community-based grantmaking; Experience in participatory decision-making structures Experience in grantmaking, particularly in an international context Experience in nonprofit capacity building as a funder, consultant, or nonprofit leader; Strong strategic and analytical skills and creative problem-solving ability; Excellent organizational skills and judgment; ability to prioritize work, manage time and multiple priorities, and meet deadlines; attention to detail and accuracy; the ability to set realistic goals and objectives; Proven ability that would translate to creating constructive partnerships with the Wikimedia community, stakeholders, and fund-seekers: skills in facilitating engaging, motivating, coordinating and supporting volunteer communities, and in negotiating the sometimes chaotic and contentious nature of free-thinking communities An open and transparent communication style; ability to engage and have dialogue with individuals in a public setting and in a non-polarizing way Experience managing high complexity projects and stakeholders Willingness to accommodate scheduling requirements of frequent interactions across time zones, with individuals and organizations across the world Proven English proficiency in written and spoken communication, including speaking in front of large groups and reacting publicly in high-pressure situations, and comfort in producing widely distributed written material Demonstrated commitment to and belief in equity, inclusion, and diversity A global perspective, with significant experience living or working internationally This position may require 1-3 international trips each year when circumstances allow.