Program Officer, Chicago Commitment

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

Possess a strong grounding in Chicago and a commitment to the Foundation’s engagement in its hometown; this element of the position is mandatory

Experience in some of the strategic areas of the Chicago Commitment team’s grantmaking, including Culture, Equity and the Arts;

Civic Partnerships (with a current focus on gun violence prevention); Vital Communities; and Advancing Leadership

Experience promoting the leadership of community-based and other civic leaders, and in implementing effective strategies for leadership development, particularly in the context of building organizational and sector capacity.

Experience in organizational development, strategic planning, capacity building, and / or financial management

Participate in the design, implementation, refinement and / or adaptation of grantmaking strategies and in planning future program strategies;

assist in the design of new initiatives

Identify prospective grant recipients and work with prospective grant recipients to develop proposals that advance grantmaking strategies

Review and evaluate proposals

Conduct background research and due diligence, prepare grant recommendations for administrative and Board consideration, and respond to unsuccessful proposals

Monitor the performance of grants, including research grants, and the implementation of grant strategies; participate in evaluating the grant portfolio

Manage a caseload of active grants, review periodic reports and maintain accurate records and constructive contact with grant recipients

Organize meetings of prospective and current grant recipients, program advisors, and others in relevant fields

Keep abreast of current events, developments, and issues in the field in order to maintain a balanced and objective perspective and approach to grantmaking.

Write extensively for internal and external purposes

Build and sustain relationships with colleagues across the Foundation, and with leaders, actors and organizations in relevant fields, including the public and commercial sectors

Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public events, including as a speaker or panel participant

Experience with participatory grantmaking processes desired but not mandatory

Other Duties and Responsibilities :

Serve on internal Foundation committees as appropriate

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications :

Graduate training and at least five years’ experience working as a policy professional, a researcher, or a practitioner in a relevant field;

previous grantmaking or grant seeking experience is desirable

Solid grounding in the theory, history, and trends in a relevant area of work; a strong grasp of relevant empirical research and theoretical literature;

and a good understanding of the substance and dynamics of public policies relevant to the work of the team

Able to make effective connections among research, policy, and practice and to work productively with community-based organizations, government, and academic institutions;

working knowledge of relevant government policies and programs

Understand how to embed community voices, lived experience, diversity, equity, and inclusion in grantmaking

Able to consider inequities, structural drivers, and power dynamics in the work of the team both internally and externally

Excellent analytical and communications skills, including writing and public speaking

Experience in strategic communications and project management.

Self-confident, collegial, and diplomatic, with an appreciation of the role of a grantmaking institution

Computer literate, with a high level of comfort with new applications

• Other essential skills include : effectiveness in interpersonal relations with a proven ability to work as part of a team;
• the ability to organize and convey problems and issues clearly and succinctly; ease with and openness to people who hold diverse views;

and a talent for managing multiple tasks with significant initiative

The position is hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois.

Annual salary for this for role will start at $120,700.