Project Management Officer for Foundation Initiatives

The Project Management Officer for Foundation Initiatives plays a key role in designing quality project management systems for Initiatives at the Foundation, particularly as they transition from the Development to the Execution phase. S/he works to capacitate and support the relevant Managing Director and teams, with ultimate accountability to the VP Foundation Initiatives who oversees Initiatives in Execution. The PMO works with teams to turn the goals and outcomes of an Initiative into a project management plan that enables significant and measurable impact. As one Initiative’s project management systems are set up, after approximately two months, the PMO will can join another team, and will stay with each team in total for 6-9 months. The PMO partners with other parts of RF including the M&E team, OGM, OFR and HR to ensure effective linkages and consistency in implementing Initiatives, and streamlined and effective processes. Spare capacity of the PMO will be deployed by the VPFI on other Initiatives in Execution and, time permitting, other projects as assigned by the VPSE or other members of the Executive Team.

This position contributes to RF’s strategy and impact by:

Ensuring initiatives in execution have a solid Project Management Plan in place
Ensuring initiatives in execution embed the common elements of RF initiatives in their plan
Assisting MDs and teams to set up their work and monitoring plan in a way that ties back to its Results Based Management (RBM) framework to the team's and the Foundation's strategy, and to the budget
Supporting and facilitating the team and creating capacity for the VP, MD and the team
Standardizing best practices and performance across initiatives and allowing for easier learning across and from previous projects
Creating efficiencies
Helping MDs and VPs deliver initiatives on time and on budget

The PMO must be able to contribute to work that ranges across multiple sectors, topics and fields. To be effective in this role, the PMO must be flexible and willing to adapt and contribute to emerging work of the Foundation in any areas.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working within a team structure, with multiple accountabilities, sharing information and insights, and engaging in ongoing intellectual and management exchanges.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

The main components of this position are to 1) develop a project management plan, 2) build project management skills capacity for the Initiative team, and 3) develop project management tools for the team to use throughout an Initiative’s duration.

The PMO will have a thorough understanding of the specifics of RF’s model and work approach and able to transfer this knowledge to Initiative team colleagues. S/he will build project management capabilities through methodology, tools and training as well as ongoing hand-on support of staff, and have an evolving and maturing understanding of best practice in RF context. The PMO will ensure that outputs related to the common elements of RF’s work are incorporated into the team’s approach, with a work plan and management approach to ensure launch, expansion, replication, scaling up, leverage, and sustainability in a manner aligned with the team’s Results Framework. For example, this could include ensuring stakeholder engagement and convening plans are developed, as well as ensuring risk mitigation is built into the team’s approach.

Over time the PMO will define and maintain standards for project management to standardize and introduce economies of repetition in the execution of projects. The PMO will be the source of documentation, guidance and metrics on the practice of project management. At times the PMO may work with the VP and/or MD to identify and retain consultants and/or term employees to fill specific planning needs, such as theory of change development and results planning. The PMO will play a coordinating role with the M&E team and any planning support to support an appropriate division of responsibility between the planning and M&E functions; enable consistency across teams, using tools and templates developed in conjunction with the Evaluation team; and enable better reporting on program team activities (including but not limited to grants) consistent with the Foundation's results framework and budget.

Qualifications and Competencies:

Leadership: Vision, innovation, thought leadership, collaboration, integrity, accountability and emotional intelligence. Ability to drive progress in ambiguous and changing conditions

People Management: Skills in coaching, mentoring, delegating. Ability to work and manage in a matrix structure.

Innovation: Entrepreneurial mindset to spot opportunities and initiate action. Creativity and courage to generate new ideas and try novel approaches

Strategic Ability: Ability to see opportunities, design innovative approaches backed by strong analysis and planning. Skills focus should be on management support, not on the content, though the PM must be able to engage with the content to inform the work

Execution: Strong project management skills, deadline management, sense of responsibility and accountability and the ability to effectively multi-task. Understanding of and high competency in project management in non-linear work, particularly in the context of diverse path dependencies with a variety of partners, grantees and co-funders.

Decision-Making: Ability to evaluate risks and opportunities, using analytical and strong problem-solving skills. Ability to identify how to fill information gaps, and to appropriately balance discipline with adaptive learning

Integration: Ability to demonstrate inclusiveness, collaboration, respect and broad organizational interests. An appetite and ability for working with and in diverse cultures

Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication abilities; exceptional listening written and verbal skills. Mature presence and the ability to quickly build credibility in new settings

Education, Training and Experience

Minimum of a BA/BS, advanced degree preferred
A minimum of 6 years related working experience
Experience with budgets/financial management
Experience with evaluation approaches helpful
Experience with results-based management approaches for programs designed for social impact
Experience working with a wide range of teams
Special training in project management preferred
The ability to travel extensively both domestically and internationally

Compensation

The Rockefeller Foundation offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The Foundation provides a very generous package of benefits.

The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status or liability for service in the United States Armed Forces.

To apply for this position, go to: http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/about-us/careers/project-management-officer