Job Description

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation is a nonpartisan, global philanthropy committed to helping people, communities, and the planet flourish. For nearly six decades, the foundation has supported creative thinkers and problem solvers working on some of the world’s most pressing challenges—from climate change and economic inequality to threats to democracy and gender injustice.

With assets of approximately $12.8 billion and annual grantmaking exceeding $600 million, the foundation invests in long-term, trust-based partnerships with organizations across the U.S. and around the world. Its approach centers on collaboration, learning, and equity, with a deep commitment to racial justice and strengthening the effectiveness of philanthropy itself.

The Gender Equity and Governance Program seeks a Program Officer for its Global Reproductive Equity (GRE) strategy which focuses on ensuring that all people and especially women and girls facing the greatest barriers – in East Africa and Francophone West Africa – can seek, access, and use comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including safe and legal abortion care, to support their health, well-being, and life aspirations. The role may evolve over time to be inclusive of other areas of work in the gender, rights, governance, and global development field.

The position is based in Menlo Park, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Hewlett Foundation offices at least 2-3 times per week when they are not traveling. The salary range for this role is $195,000 - $223,000. Program Officers of the Hewlett Foundation serve an eight-year term.

About the Gender Equity and Governance Program:

The Gender Equity and Governance Program (GEG) supports people—especially young people, women, and girls—to advocate for their needs and shape their futures. It funds efforts to build inclusive societies by strengthening the systems, policies, narratives, and practices that promote gender equity and responsive governance. The program operates across five interconnected strategies:

• Global Reproductive Equity
• U.S. Reproductive Equity
• Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Inclusive Governance
• Evidence-Informed Policymaking

GEG works in East and West Africa, the Americas, and at regional and global levels. It supports civil society organizations, grassroots movements, and advocacy networks that advance sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice (SRHRJ), and promotes equitable, and inclusive approaches to governance and economic and social development.

The Gender Equity and Governance Program team is comprised of 20 staff, including nine Program Officers.

The Opportunity: Program Officer, Global Reproductive Equity:

The Program Officer will lead the Global Reproductive Equity (GRE) strategy, which focuses on ensuring that all people and especially women and girls facing the greatest barriers – in East Africa and Francophone West Africa – can seek, access, and use comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including safe and legal abortion care, to support their health, well-being, and life aspirations.

Reporting to Gender Equity and Governance Program Director Mallika Dutt, the Program Officer will have primary responsibilities within the Global Reproductive Equity strategy and will collaborate with colleagues across the program. They will contribute to the foundation's interest in and practice of outcome-focused philanthropy, developing and updating strategies, identifying benchmarks and milestones to assess progress against these strategies, and planning and commissioning evaluations to contribute to learning and better understand impact.

This is a dynamic and evolving role that invites bold thinking, deep listening, and collaborative action. The Program Officer will work closely with grantee partners, peer funders, and other stakeholders to co-create solutions, strengthen networks, and amplify voices in the field. They will also contribute to shaping the future of the GEG Program as it undergoes a strategic review in 2026 and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

• Grantmaking & Strategy Implementation
  Manage and evolve a portfolio of grants aligned with the GRE strategy. Support the transition to refreshed programming and contribute to strategy development, learning, and evaluation.
• Field Building & Ecosystem Strengthening
  Engage with diverse actors – grantee partners, funders, researchers, advocates – to assess needs, identify gaps, and promote collaboration. Commission research and learning initiatives to explore catalytic approaches.
• Partner Support & Capacity Strengthening
  Build trust-based relationships with grantee partners. Identify opportunities to support organizational resilience and amplify their work through storytelling, convening, and connection.
• Cross-Program & Cross-Foundation Collaboration
  Work with colleagues across the GEG Program and the foundation to identify shared learning opportunities and foster a healthy, inclusive organizational culture.
• Knowledge Sharing & Influence
  Represent the foundation in donor collaboratives and philanthropic fora. Share insights through speaking engagements, and other platforms to elevate grantee voices and field learnings.

Who You Are:

You are a strategic, curious, and collaborative leader who thrives in emergent spaces. You bring a deep commitment to reproductive equity, social movements, and equitable philanthropic practice. You are energized by co-creating with others and navigating complexity with humility and creativity.

You will also bring:

• 8–10 years of experience in global development, health, or reproductive rights, especially in African contexts.
• Lived or professional experience in Francophone West Africa and/or East Africa.
• Comfort working on abortion rights and navigating diverse perspectives with diplomacy.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across cultures and sectors.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice in your work.
• Working proficiency in French (fluency preferred).
• Experience with civil society organizations, grassroots movements, and advocacy networks.
• Familiarity with philanthropic practice centered on trust, equity, and feminist principles.

Work Environment & Travel:

• Based in Menlo Park, CA, with hybrid work expectations (2–3 days/week in office).
• Flexibility to work remotely for up to 4 weeks/year.
• Travel up to 35% of the time, primarily to East and West Africa.

Compensation & Benefits:

The Hewlett Foundation is committed to providing compensation that is competitive within the philanthropic sector. We offer a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits.

The salary range for this role is $195,000 - $223,000. Offers are based on the candidate's years of experience and our practice of maintaining salary equity within the foundation. This position is exempt and full-time. Program Officers of the Hewlett Foundation serve for an eight-year term.

To Apply:

To learn more about the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation please visit: www.hewlett.org.

This search is being led by Allison Kupfer Poteet, Alejandra Villa, and Robert Diggs of NPAG. Candidates may submit an application including a resume and cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications via NPAG’s website (open link in a separate tab).

Prospective candidates may sign up to learn more via Microsoft Bookings. Nominations may be submitted via this link.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation embraces the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, both internally in our hiring process and organizational culture, and externally, in our grantmaking and related practices. We are an equal opportunity employer, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

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