Program Officer, International Program

Overview:

Carnegie Corporation of New York was founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 and is one of the country's oldest grantmaking foundations. As stated in its charter, our mission is to promote the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.

Today our foundation works to reduce political polarization through philanthropic support for the issues that our founder considered most important: education, democracy, and peace.

About the International Program:

The International Program is rooted in Andrew Carnegie's founding vision—to advance peace as both the absence of armed conflict and the creation of conditions that sustain nonviolent growth and change. In an era of multidimensional crises—ranging from wars and migration pressures to disruptive technologies—the Program seeks to catalyze peace through integrated, evidence-based approaches that bridge knowledge and action. 

About the Job:

The Program Officer reports to the Senior Program Director/Program Director, International Program.  Key priorities of this position are to contribute to the dynamic growth of the program by proactively seeking, developing, and recommending proposals for funding, and administering projects and providing meaningful grant assessments to the Corporation in select program areas. Knowledge of key issues in conflict, peacebuilding, migration, international security, or other related issues is strongly preferred.

The Program Officer will contribute to the dynamic growth and implementation of Carnegie International Program strategy, Advancing Peace in an Evolving World. The position will support efforts to strengthen global capacity for peace by developing and managing a portfolio of grants and partnerships that bridge research, policy, and action. The Program Officer will focus on one or more of the program's three interlinked objectives:

• Preventing and Managing Conflict: Strengthening capacity to anticipate, de-escalate, and resolve violent conflict, including nuclear and technology-driven risks.
• Movements of People: Addressing the political, economic, and societal implications of mass migration and displacement to support peace and governance.
• Non-State Actors: Understanding and influencing the roles of civic, private, and transnational actors in shaping peace and security.
  

Responsibilities:

• Develop, understand thoroughly, and implement, through grantmaking and other activities, the program's goals and supporting objectives.
• Proactively identify, assess, and recommend innovative proposals that advance peace and stability in fragile or conflict-affected contexts.
• Maintain a wide breadth and depth of knowledge on global trends in peacebuilding, migration, conflict prevention, and governance, as well as on regional developments in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and other focus areas.
• Provide intellectual leadership—through public speaking, writing, or convening—on themes relevant to the program's strategy.
• Review, assess, and develop new proposals, including budgets, staffing, workplans, and anticipated outcomes, ensuring alignment with program priorities.
• Present well-analyzed proposals for funding, incorporating external expert input to identify proposal strengths, weaknesses, and risks.
• Assess and monitor active projects, ensuring programmatic learning and accountability.
• Synthesize lessons from grantees and partners to inform future grantmaking and contribute to strategic reviews.
• Represent the program internally and externally, including at Board meetings, professional meetings, public forums, and convenings with policy and academic leaders.
• Manage and mentor staff or consultants as appropriate.
• Perform miscellaneous duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in relevant field (e.g., social sciences, including international relations, peace and conflict studies, public policy, or related disciplines).
• Demonstrated ability to design, manage, and assess grantmaking or applied research portfolios
• Experience managing grants greater than $1 million, including oversight of budgets, financial reporting, and risk assessment
• Proven ability to develop, analyze, and interpret complex financial data and ensure alignment with programmatic objectives
• Experience authoring or contributing to analytical, policy, research, or technical publications on peace and security, migration, governance, or international affairs topics
• Regional and/or overseas expertise/experience in: Africa, the Middle East, Asia, or Europe (We expect to recruit one position with Africa regional expertise/experience and one position with Middle East, Asia, or Europe regional expertise/experience).
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills
• Excellent writing, analytical, and presentation abilities
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, including the ability to engage with diverse partners (academic, civic, policy, and private sector)
• Proven capacity to work independently and collaboratively within a complex institutional environment
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally
• High degree of organization and attention to detail
• Excellent computer skills: MS Office/Outlook and AI tools

Benefits:

• Employer-paid health insurance, including medical, dental, life, and short-term disability, plus a substantial contribution to a retirement plan account, wellness program, and a generous paid time off program.
• Corporate discounts.

Salary Range:

$150,000 - $160,000.  New hires are typically brought into the organization between the minimum to midpoint of the salary hiring range posted depending on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Carnegie Corporation of New York is an equal opportunity employer committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity ("EEOC") laws.  The Carnegie Corporation of New York strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual's race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, height and weight, disability, and any other characteristic protected by law.  The Corporation abides by all applicable rules and regulations in its recruiting and employment practices including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.

Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.