Seva is a global nonprofit eye care organization that transforms lives by restoring sight and preventing blindness. Since 1978, Seva has provided sight-saving surgeries, eyeglasses, medicine, and other eye care services to more than 40 million people in underserved communities around the world.

Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a vision impairment, and of these, at least 1 billion people have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed. Our programs have been instrumental in making eye care available to those who can't afford it. They are driven by 4 pillars - establishing self sustaining vision centers, eye care for kids, bringing the best in technology, and training & job creation.Seva believes that restoring sight is one of the most cost effective ways to relieve suffering and reduce poverty. When a blind person gets her sight back, she can go back to work, earn and support her family. In more than 20 countries, Seva has helped nearly 5 million people who were blind to regain their sight. 

Position Description

The role is within the Program Department. The Program Department is tasked with the implementation of all program efforts, including the quality of program work, identification of new initiatives, day-to-day management of program activities, building and maintaining partnerships, and evidencing our work.

Within the Program Department, the role sits on the program implementation team. The program implementation team oversees operations, partner relations, fund utilization, new initiatives and measurement of impact. A responsive process of planning, implementing, and assessing guides the program implementation work.

Role

The Program Officer plays a vital role within the Program Implementation Team that supervises an expanding portfolio of programs working with Native Nations. Based in the United States, the Program Officer works under the supervision of the Program Director. The Program Officer represents and grows Seva Foundation’s AISI program. The position ensures ongoing communication and expansion of Seva’s partnerships. The Program Officer is responsible for preparing donor reports and communication, documenting the learning of GSI in the region, as well as representing Seva at key coordination meetings. The Officer will travel to partner clinics and institutions across the region.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Development

• Support partners in region to submit proposals and review proposals as needed
• Oversee funding agreements for new projects and send to partners for review and signature.
• Support grant prospecting and proposal development for the region, including sourcing potential collaborations in other complimentary sectors

       2. Program Implementation

• Monitor progress of program against deliverables
• Strengthen tracking and information management of program progress and achievements across the partner initiatives
• Write, edit, and/or provide substantive feedback on grant reports prior to donor submission and submit reports in a timely manner
• Ensure grant payments are disbursed as outlined in the funding agreements and track spending by partners according to finance reports prepared
• Review the spending for grants pertinent to region on the job report generated by the Finance Director. Flag under/overspending correction. Work with Operations & Finance Coordinator to prepare and submit recodes as needed.
• Conduct field visits to partners to understand progress and learnings and to gather feedback on the program’s successes and challenges
• Support partners in their program improvement and growth

       3. Coordination

• Organize regular (at least quarterly) calls with partners individually and, as relevant, with multiple partners in the region
• Maintain ongoing program communications and facilitate communication across partners and within the Program Department and Seva.
• Lead and/or contribute to documentation of key learning and innovative approaches in eye care throughout the region
• Partner with other regional points to share best practices across the network
• Actively support learning and ensure that promising practices and lessons learned locally are disseminated globally, and vice versa

       4. Representation

• Support the organization’s Advocacy efforts, including sharing programmatic highlights and breaking news from partners
• Ensure external communication about region is accurate and relevant
• Represent Seva and participate in representational visits, events and meetings as requested
• Coordinate with other organizations working in the region, as needed

Attributes:

The Program Officer should be capable of managing multiple and complex tasks; thrive under pressure, time and complexity; have strong people skills - developing strong team spirit; and be capable of interfacing successfully with internal actors, donors and partners to resolve program issues. This person should also feel comfortable in a representational role, speaking on eye health issues with internal and external audiences. Candidates should be well organized and self-motivated with demonstrable writing, management, and creative problem solving skills.

Seva Values:

• Compassion in Action – We do not observe suffering, we address it.
• Selfless Service – Service is its own reward.
• Respect – We believe in the fundamental dignity and value of every person.
• Equity – We serve the underserved to ensure all people have access to quality care.
• Fun – We never take ourselves too seriously. When you stop laughing, you’ve stopped living.

Key Qualifications:

• Demonstrable experience working with and collaborating with Native Communities
• Experience working in eye care, healthcare, and/or in the non-profit sector
• Proven ability to effectively manage relationships
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Ability to effectively liaise with people within and across departments in a multi-cultural environment
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, flexible, good sense of humor
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in culturally diverse environments
• Ability to prioritize and work under pressure in fast-paced, multi-task team environment
• Excellent computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Office and familiarity with project management software
• Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited college or university; Master’s degree desired
• Ability to travel

Our headquarters are in Berkeley, CA; however, the location for this position is open to different geographic locations within the US depending on where the successful candidate resides.

To Apply:

Qualified candidates, please send your resume and cover letter to arubin@hroptions.com.