Deputy Director, Partnerships & Sustainable Finance, Washington D.C.

Position Description

About PADF  

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger—more healthy, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For over 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region.

Position Overview 

Founded as the private sector engagement arm of the Organization of American States (OAS), PADF seeks to vigorously pursue private sector and other strategic partnerships for development impact and sustainability. Note PADF views sustainability as being social, financial, and environmental. PADF is seeking a proactive leader to sustain and expand PADF’s portfolio of strategic, foundation, public, and private-sector partnerships in service of our mission. Reporting to the Director of Partnerships & Sustainable Finance (PSF), the Deputy Director will drive progress across three pillars of private sector engagement (PSE):

• Pillar 1: Traditional corporate philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility; bulk of current PADF PSE with short cycles of funding.
• Pillar 2: Private Sector’s innovation, expertise, and market-based solutions, which are increasingly critical for United States Government funding.
• Pillar 3: Market-based solutions and sustainable financing for leverage and greater impact.

These pillars are in line with USAID’s approach to private sector engagement, allowing PADF to streamline our collaboration with private sector actors across both public sector and non-public sector opportunities. In addition, the PSF team works on developing and implementing programs across the Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods (PSL) Goal Area including Education, Economic Opportunities and Climate Resilience. All these areas of work offer tremendous opportunities for PSE.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The Deputy Director, PSF will support the development of new and sustainable business models, while leveraging our portfolio of US government funded programming, and advise PADF leaders hemispherically on both PSE and PSL. The Deputy Director, PSF will be responsible for overseeing implementation of all PSF projects, while also serving as a resource for projects implemented by other PADF leaders that have strong PSE activities. Across the three pillars outlined above, and aligned with PADF’s Strategic Plan 2025-2027, the Deputy Director, PSF will provide leadership on:

New Business Development:

Partner with colleagues across the PSF team and the broader organization to draft, edit, submit, and win high quality, creative and well-written expressions of interest, concepts, grant proposals, applications for Grand Challenges and other resource development opportunities with relevant donors and partners, establishing PADF as a partner of choice.

• • The Deputy Director (in partnership with Technical Leads and Country Directors) will lead the development of proposals for both public and private donors for promoting sustainable livelihoods, bringing partnerships and innovative ideas around education, employment, entrepreneurship, and the environment.
  • The Deputy Director (in collaboration with the PSF Marketing Manager and other PADF leaders), will guide or support the identification, outreach and cultivation of revenue generating, innovative or value-added partnerships throughout the hemisphere.
  • The Deputy Director (in partnership with the PSF Marketing Manager) will lead or guide PADF efforts to build and maintain high-level donor/client relationships in and for the region.
  • Work closely with PSF team members to develop and maintain dossiers on top private sector and other potential partners and track major corporate and other investments in the LAC region.
  • Work closely with PADF leaders to implement the diversification and innovation strategies in PADF’s strategic plan.
  • Represent PADF at events, meetings and donor-facing forums to help position PADF and its affiliates as the partner of choice.

Ensure Excellence in Program Implementation and Learning:

• • The Deputy Director will lead effective implementation for PSF team projects, providing guidance and mentoring to PSF and country-based project team members.
  • Oversee key project activities, timelines, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure excellent and efficient project implementation and reporting.
  • Oversee program staff as needed, either directly or indirectly. Develop initiatives to train staff and build team cohesion.
  • Develop learning agendas around private sector engagement, leverage, and blended finance models for PADF programs.

Key Competencies

• Drives Results – Consistently achieves results even under tough circumstances. Makes good and timely decisions that keep new partnerships and the organization moving forward.
• Effective Communicator with Executive Presence – Uses verbal and written communication skillfully for expression, influence, and results. Excels at communicating at all levels and with all audiences: internal and external, Board/executive level, and beyond. This includes outstanding verbal and written communications skills.
• Proposes Creative, Pragmatic Solutions – Able to propose and develop new and innovative approaches, concepts, and practical solutions that focus on results. Able to synthesize and distill information to its essence; brings a fresh perspective to both project implementation and new business development.

Personal Characteristics

• Action Oriented – Takes on new opportunities and challenges with high energy, a sense of urgency and enthusiasm. Loathes losing but loves to learn from losses.
• Proactive – Champions ideas and courses of action. Takes the initiative to lead and act. Steps up to address difficult issues. Meets tough situations head on.
• Collaborative – Works across functions and geographies to tap into talent and expertise to develop and win proposals, and to implement the programs resulting from those wins.

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate brings a strong sense of mission and values, yearns to be part of a mission-driven organization, and possesses the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, public policy, economics, or a related field. Master’s degree or equivalent post-graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in developing new proposals, maintaining donor relations, and implementing programs with public or private donors.
• Experience presenting concepts, pitches and ideas to donors and partners and securing buy-in.
• Deep understanding of development challenges and opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Knowledge of USAID’s Private Sector Engagement Policy and its applicability to private-sector partnerships.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English. Fluency in Spanish highly desired.
• French or Portuguese is a plus.

The Deputy Director, Partnerships & Sustainable Finance is a hybrid position. Regular travel (~30%) will likely be required.

Salary Range: $85,000 – $100,000.

A candidate’s salary is determined by multiple factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, and internal organizational equity.

More About PADF  

PADF is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1962. www.padf.org

PADF’s core values. “H-E-A-R-T” = Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.

Diversity. PADF is strong because we are diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. PADF does not discriminate based on ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of cultures, languages, socio-economic backgrounds, and perspectives on the world.

PADF is committed to safeguarding employees and those we serve, addressing inappropriate behavior, discrimination, and harassment. We take an intersectional approach, promote gender equality, and follow our Global Code of Conduct emphasizing our H.E.A.R.T. values. The code covers various aspects, including anti-trafficking, PSEAH (Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment), whistleblowing, and online safety. 

PADF is an Equal Opportunity Employer