Program Officer , Firelight Foundation

FIRELIGHT FOUNDATION

Program Officer

Job Announcement

Applications due by September 3, 2013

http://www.firelightfoundation.org/about/jobs/

1.                  POSITION IDENTIFICATION

Job Title:                           Program Officer

Reports to:                      Director of Programs

2.                  BACKGROUND

The Firelight Foundation (www.firelightfoundation.org) is a public charity based in Santa Cruz, California, USA. Firelight Foundation believes in the power of African communities to create lasting change for children and families affected by poverty, HIV, and AIDS. We identify, fund, and strengthen promising community organizations that support the health, resilience, and education of children in Africa. Firelight provides grants of US$1,000 - 15,000 to community-focused organizations that support families and communities to meet the material, educational, and psychosocial needs of children. We strive to make grants that support local initiatives and leadership, strengthen the community’s capacity to address its own needs, and are sensitive to the capacity of smaller groups to absorb and utilize funds. To date, Firelight has made over 1,500 grants totaling $20 million to organizations serving children in sub-Saharan Africa.

3.                  OVERALL FUNCTION

Program Officers manage a portfolio of initiatives designed to facilitate the strategic goals of Firelight Foundation. In managing initiatives, Program Officers hold responsibility for planning and coordinating implementation of all activities. Program Officers lead the process of identifying a portfolio of organizations to implement community-based programs that align to the goals of the initiatives. They work closely with Program Assistants to maintain relationships with partners and monitor their programs. Program Officers manage the design and delivery of technical assistance provided by Program Consultants and Lead Partners. They have responsibility for supporting the learning and evaluation within their portfolio, documenting the lessons learned and synthesizing the knowledge gathered from Firelight’s support of community-based organizations. In order to execute their responsibilities effectively, Program Officers must maintain an in-depth knowledge of the priorities, strategies, and funding criteria aligned to Firelight Foundation’s strategic goals. 

Firelight Foundation operates with a small, creative staff in Santa Cruz, California. The foundation values flexibility, innovation, and collaboration in its grantmaking, capacity building, as well as learning and evaluation. The programs team works closely with the Advisory Council and Program Consultants in Africa to supports local expertise and enhances community capacity to support vulnerable children and families. Staff actively collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to engage in strategic problem-solving that enhances our impact.

4.                  PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Develop, plan, and manage implementation of initiatives focused on improving access to quality education at early childhood, primary and secondary levels.  

·         Guide review and evaluation of funding inquiries and proposals to build portfolio of grantee-partners that deliver on objectives of each initiative.

·         Manage ongoing relationships with grantee-partners, including review of final reports and renewal proposals, to inform funding recommendations to the Advisory Council and Board of Directors.

·         Manage the work of Program Consultants and Lead Partners in the assessment of partner capacity and in providing technical assistance to grantee-partners.

·         Work in collaboration with the Learning and Evaluation Manager to develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation plan, including development of frameworks, guiding the data collection, and data analysis.

·         Document best practices and outcomes of the initiative and interpret data analysis findings. Facilitate application and external sharing of knowledge generated.

·         Manage donor relationships, including ongoing communication as well as collaboration with grant writer on proposals and reports.

·         Maintain and develop relationships with peer foundations and other key constituencies as necessary to support partners and support the goals of the Foundation.

·         Lead special projects or take on additional tasks as assigned.

·         Supervise Program Assistant or Program Associate as assigned.

5.                  QUALIFICATIONS

·         Bachelor’s Degree or Masters’ degree in education or other relevant field.

·         Competency in project management, including planning and managing implementation to achieve objectives.

·         Strong time management skills with ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize to meet deadlines.

·         Insight and sound judgment in evaluation of leadership, organizational capacity, and education program design of grassroots organizations.

·         Ability to maintain timely and meaningful communication with a wide range of grantee-partners and other collaborative partners.

·         Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.

·         Intellectual curiosity completed by sound analysis and critical thinking skills

·         Excellent interpersonal and team skills.

·         At least 5-7 years work experience with progressive responsibility in program management.

Preferred

• Background or work experience in education programs in Africa.
• Knowledge and understanding of key issues facing vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Ability to maintain fairly rigorous schedule during Africa travel; ability to travel up to 20% of time.
• Familiarity with Mac applications, and relational databases, such as Filemaker Pro.

·         Authorization to work in the United States.

• Strong work ethic.
• Good sense of humor.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Send updated CV, cover letter, and writing sample by September 3, 2013 tojobs@firelightfoundation.org or by fax to 831-429-2036 (e-mail submissions preferred).  Please note “Program Officer” and your full name in subject line of e-mail or fax. Firelight Foundation does not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Only persons short-listed for interviews will be contacted.  No phone calls please.

COMPENSATION 

This is a full-time position. Salary is commensurate with experience. 

Full benefits include: medical/dental/vision/acupuncture/chiropractic coverage, generous vacation, life insurance and a retirement plan.

 The Firelight Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.