Program Manager, ELCA World Hunger- International

Description

This posting will close September 18, 2026, at 11:00 pm central time. 

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation. We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About the position

Churchwide Organization – Chicago, IL. Through the Service and Justice unit, the ELCA CWO fosters and facilitates this church’s engagement in service and promotes efforts to call and act for justice. Its work includes engaging in mission, service, and justice in accompaniment with churches and organizations in other countries; engaging with communities, coalitions and networks, congregations, and synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church; and providing guidance to members on matters of social justice.  

This position is responsible for the quality and accountability of ELCA World Hunger-International active grants and ensures proper grant close-out. Build processes for successful coordination with Development Communications (DevComm) for stories for publications, situation reports and collaborate with the Philanthropy team on special reports to donors.  Assists the ELCA-WH Director in accompanying the Area Desks and ecumenical partners in supporting diaconal and sustainable development initiatives. Lead research and analysis on meta data and trends and work with ELCA-WH Director on integrative approach across teams. 

This is a full-time, regular, exempt, Chicago-based/hybrid position. The person in this position will be expected to in the Lutheran Center office a minimum of 2 days each week and more as the work may need.

The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

1. Manage the active WH-international  grants for quality and accountability with acumen in EGM. This includes reviewing narrative and financial reports to ensure project activities are conducted as planned. This includes developing project summaries to track grants. Follow up with the area desks and ecumenical partners for inquiries related to reports and recommend the next tranche of payment (if applicable) or grant close out. 

2. Assist the ELCA World Hunger   Director in promoting Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (PMERL) and narrative analysis   focused on outcomes, changes, and results through case studies, production of   quotes, anecdotes, testimonies, storytelling, and stories of transformation.   Ability to build capacities for grant recipients to report on project outcomes and impacts.

3. Lead research and analysis on   quantitative and qualitative meta data / trends identified within World   Hunger grants, accompaniment, and programs. Draft and guide pipeline   development of research findings to publish and utilize across S&J teams   and to inform WH programs, Global Mission coordination, and Development Communications.

4. Assist the   ELCA World Hunger Director in accompanying area desks in supporting diaconal and sustainable   development initiatives. This includes using   accompaniment methodology to identify opportunities for st