Animal Welfare Fund is hiring!
The Animal Welfare Fund (AWF) is hiring 1-3 Program Officers at various levels to evaluate grant opportunities, shape funding strategies, and allocate resources towards high-impact animal welfare initiatives.
- Job Title: Grantmaking Program Officers (Senior, Mid-Level, Junior)
- Location: Remote – Global (Work from anywhere with time zones between US Pacific Time and Central European Time)
- Employment Type: Full-Time
- Application Deadline: February 18, 2026, at 07:00 AM GMT+2
- Salary Range: Depending on seniority and location, from $90,026 to $131,988 USD annually, or equivalent in GBP for UK-based candidates
- Contract Type: Permanent (with possibility for growth and development)
As AWF scales its operations from $10 million to potentially $50 million+ annually, team members will have increasing responsibilities, opportunities for growth, and the chance to contribute to a global movement.
About EA Funds’ Animal Welfare Fund (AWF)
The Effective Altruism Funds (EA Funds) is a grantmaking platform dedicated to allocating resources to high-impact projects aligned with EA principles across various cause areas. The Animal Welfare Fund (AWF) is one of the flagship grant programs focused on reducing animal suffering worldwide.
AWF’s mission is to identify, fund, and catalyze the most effective interventions to alleviate animal suffering across regions and species neglected by current efforts. Since its inception in 2017, AWF has become a leading funder in the animal advocacy ecosystem, distributing over $24.1 million through more than 362 grants.
The fund’s strategic focus includes ending cage confinement for hens, improving aquatic animal welfare, promoting humane slaughter practices, and addressing emerging animal welfare challenges.
The long-term goals include ending confinement systems, scaling effective interventions, and supporting neglected species. AWF also aims to push the frontiers of animal welfare research, scale proven programs, and fill critical gaps in the ecosystem.
The Role: Program Officer at AWF
This is a high-impact role that positions candidates at the heart of decisions that could transform the lives of billions of animals. Successful applicants will evaluate grant opportunities, shape funding strategies, and allocate resources to interventions with the highest potential for impact.
The work involves rigorous assessment of projects, strategic planning, and active engagement with grantees and stakeholders.
The role offers a unique opportunity to directly influence the flow of funding, helping to scale promising initiatives and support innovative solutions to animal suffering.
Key Responsibilities
1. Grant Evaluation & Decision-Making
- Investigate and assess grant proposals for their theory of change, impact potential, cost-effectiveness, and team capacity.
- Critically review and engage with recommendations from colleagues, providing your insights and judgments.
- Recommend high-impact grants aligned with AWF’s strategic priorities.
- Monitor ongoing grants, conduct evaluations, and adapt strategies based on findings.
- Identify promising projects and organizations, sourcing new applications through strategic networking within the animal welfare space.
- Develop relationships with potential grantees, guiding them to submit fundable proposals, and supporting existing grantees to maximize impact.
2. Strategic Portfolio Management
- Manage a portfolio of grants, ensuring they collectively advance AWF’s long-term objectives.
- Identify gaps in funding and develop new opportunities.
- Draw strategic insights from monitoring and evaluation processes to inform future grantmaking.
3. Leadership & Representation
- Contribute to the development of AWF’s strategic direction.
- Represent AWF at external events, conferences, and in collaborations with other funders.
- Support the organization’s fundraising efforts and build partnerships to expand impact.
4. Team Collaboration & Mentorship
- For higher seniority levels, manage and mentor junior staff and team members.
- Actively participate in team discussions, sharing insights and expertise to refine AWF’s approach.
Levels of Seniority & Responsibilities
1. Senior Program Associate (Junior Level)
- Focuses on evaluating grant proposals, conducting monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and sourcing high-quality applications.
- Engages with potential grantees and assists in strategic planning activities.
- Compensation: Total package of approximately $90,026 USD in the US, or £54,159 in the UK.
2. Associate Program Officer (Mid-Level)
- Assumes broader responsibility for managing a portfolio of grants.
- Identifies funding gaps and develops strategic frameworks.
- Draws learnings from M&E to guide future grants.
- Mentors junior staff.
- Compensation: Total package of approximately $109,867 USD in the US, or £66,095 in the UK.
3. Program Officer (Senior Level)
- Shapes strategic priorities across multiple focus areas.
- Represents AWF externally and participates in high-level decision-making.
- Oversees complex portfolios and manages teams.
- Contributes to organizational strategy and external partnerships.
- Compensation: Total package of approximately $131,988 USD in the US, or £79,402 in the UK.
Candidate Profile & Qualifications
Core Qualifications (All Levels)
- Demonstrated analytical rigor in assessing projects or work.
- Effective communicator, capable of articulating complex reasoning transparently.
- Highly organized, reliable, and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Eagerness to learn new evaluation methods and improve judgment.
- Well-connected within the animal welfare or related advocacy space.
- Passionate about effective altruism and committed to its principles.
Level-Specific Qualifications
Senior Program Associate (Junior)
- Developing knowledge of effective animal advocacy.
- Curious and quick learner.
- Some experience in advocacy, research, or related fields is a plus.
Associate Program Officer (Mid)
- Deep expertise in one or more focus areas (e.g., farmed animal welfare, wild animal welfare).
- Proven success in advocacy, research, or grantmaking.
- Ability to develop strategic frameworks and identify promising interventions.
Program Officer (Senior)
- Extensive knowledge across multiple focus areas and strategic thinking.
- Significant experience in grantmaking or senior advocacy roles.
- Skilled in overseeing complex portfolios, managing teams, and setting organizational priorities.
Work Environment & Benefits
This is a fully remote position, allowing flexibility to work from anywhere within the specified time zones. The role involves travel, with approximately 4–6 trips annually, including international travel for team retreats and conferences.
Compensation & Perks
- Competitive salary packages based on location and seniority.
- Benefits include private health insurance (US/UK), flexible working hours, generous professional development allowances, mental health support, extended parental leave, ergonomic equipment, and paid vacation.
- Opportunities for growth, leadership, and increased responsibilities as the organization expands.
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Diversity & Inclusion
CEA is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace. They strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially women and people of color who are passionate about animal welfare and effective altruism. The organization provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities and values equity in the hiring process.
Application Process & Timeline
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications by February 18, 2026, at 7:00 AM GMT+2. Applications should include a CV and cover letter, clearly indicating the level of interest.
The selection process will include several steps:
- Initial application screening
- Test assessments
- Multiple interview rounds
- Reference checks
For more details and to apply, visit the CEA Careers Page.