Program Specialist – International Programs (Mexico Team)

THE W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), headquartered in Battle Creek, Michigan, is a leading philanthropic institution that supports thriving children, working families, equitable communities, and the dynamic connections among them. The International Programs Team, based in WKKF’s office in Mexico City, collaborates with grantee organizations, communities, and other stakeholders in Mexico, Haiti, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“The W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports children, families, and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society.”

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Program Specialist – International Programs (Mexico Team) plays an essential role in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with grant seekers, grantees, and internal and external partners by applying Foundation best practices. Through a combination of technical assistance, systems support, and administrative coordination, the Program Specialist helps advance all aspects of WKKF’s programming efforts in Mexico and the broader Latin America and Caribbean region.

This dynamic, detail-oriented position supports the operational and relational needs of community-centered grantmaking. The Program Specialist serves as a key connector between WKKF and its partners, many of whom are grassroots or Indigenous-led organizations operating in historically underfunded regions. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, cultural fluency, and a quality customer service orientation that ensures all partners feel respected and supported as they navigate foundation systems.

Relationship Management and Program Support

• Serve as the first point of contact and liaison with grantees.
• Provide technical assistance and support to grantees, vendors, community partners, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Format and present information across a range of mediums, including reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Assist with the planning and execution of events and team huddles.

Administrative and Operational Coordination

• Coordinate and manage all administrative aspects of the team’s work, including scheduling, meeting logistics, travel arrangements, expense tracking, and administrative planning.
• Prepare internal materials such as presentations and briefings.
• Perform other administrative duties as assigned, including backup support and workload coverage as needed.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of data across organizational programming systems.

Grantmaking and Budget Process Management

• Build and maintain strong, authentic relationships with grant leads, grantseekers, and grantees to ensure effective communication, provide high-quality customer service, and support understanding of the Foundation’s strategic direction, processes, and expectations.
• Partner with program staff to manage the flow and timing of multidimensional funding processes, ensuring critical deadlines and payout targets are met.
• In collaboration with other team members, conduct and synthesize research, analyze data, and contribute to the development and management of key programming reports.

Grant Portfolio Management and Systems Improvement

• Act as a liaison between grantseekers, grantees, and staff respectively, through written and verbal communication to share information and ensure the timely receipt of required documentation.
• Manage the grantmaking process in accordance with organizational policies, including budget and commitment revisions, payment/delivery schedules, and timely grant closure.
• Provide feedback and suggest improvements to data systems, such as Fluxx, and participate in internal pilot groups for systems enhancement.

Contract Coordination

• Support the processing and tracking of program and operations contracts in partnership with designated contract leads.
• Assist in managing amendments, confirming deliverables, and ensuring all payments are completed before contract closure.

This is a critical operational role for someone committed to supporting systems that advance equity and community leadership. The Foundation is seeking candidates interested in a meaningful, long-term contribution to this work. The Program Specialist will be a valued member of a cross-functional and multinational team and must be fully bilingual in Spanish and English, with the ability to collaborate across languages, identities, and institutional contexts. Travel may be required to support the responsibilities of this position. All travel is designed to center the needs of grantees and communities, and the Foundation is committed to supporting a healthy and balanced workplace.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Success in the Program Specialist role will require a passion to further the WKKF mission and a commitment to its core values of diversity and inclusion, intercultural awareness, openness, collaboration, and stewardship. The ideal candidate will bring a relational mindset, strong administrative and project coordination skills, and the ability to navigate systems with clarity and care, especially in support of grassroots and Indigenous-led organizations.

Core Capabilities

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, excellent written and oral communication, and sound judgement.
• Results-oriented, with high attention to detail and comfort managing multiple responsibilities, tasks, and timelines.
• Familiarity with project management tools and workflow coordination across teams.
• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and present data and information clearly.
• Demonstrated agility in day-to-day work and adaptability across audiences and settings.
• Strong customer service orientation; proactive, respectful, and clear in communication.
• Ability to bring people together and facilitate collaboration across roles and perspectives.
• Commitment to supporting the leadership of others, particularly partners and grantees, to succeed and thrive.
• Commitment to equity, cultural humility, and ongoing learning about systemic oppression and its impact on self and others.
• Comfort working in evolving environments and contributing to continuous improvement.

Additional skills and attributes that will be important to the Program Specialist’s success include:

Professional Experience

• Minimum of an associate’s degree and three years of administrative or management support experience; or high school diploma and at least 5 years of directly relevant experience.
• Full professional fluency in Spanish and English is required; proficiency in additional languages, including Maya, Tseltal, Tsotsil, French, or Haitian Creole, is highly desired.
• Experience supporting administrative, grant-related, or operational work in nonprofit, philanthropic, legal, finance, higher education, government, or multilateral settings.
• Prior experience working in multicultural or multinational teams.
• Foundation experience is helpful but not required.
• Familiarity and professional experience working with transnational cultures and social norms in Mexico and/or Haiti is preferred.
• Experience working with partners from diverse, cultural, social, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.

Personal Attributes

• Alignment with WKKF’s values and organizational DNA, including intercultural competence, openness, collaboration, and shared accountability.
• Systems-thinking orientation and ability to navigate change and complexity with grace.
• Listens well, manages ego, values shared accountability and responsibility; follows through on commitments and contributes to a culture of trust.
• Resilient and self-aware; approaches work with reflection, mindfulness, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
• Capable of navigating differences or sensitive situations with professionalism and care.
• Interested in a meaningful, long-term contribution to this role and team.
• Must be based in Mexico City. Individuals with lived experience in the Yucatán Peninsula or Chiapas, particularly those from Indigenous communities, are strongly encouraged to apply.

The salary range is MXN $422,300 – 627,900. The candidate's actual starting salary will be commensurate with the years, breadth, and depth of relevant experience, education, certifications, credentials, special skills, accomplishments, and other factors relevant to the position.

The Program Specialist will be a valued member of a cross-functional and multinational team and must be fully bilingual in Spanish and English, with the ability to collaborate across languages, identities, and institutional contexts.