Job Description

Summary:

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.

The Foundation is seeking a Cross-Foundation Program Officer to provide programmatic support to multiple areas of work on an as-needed basis as back-up for, or in addition to, current program staff. This Program Officer is one of a team of three and will apply their expertise across multiple subject areas to develop and implement grantmaking strategies. In this role, the Program Officer will be called upon to deliver under pressure, and consistently produce high-quality work; build effective peer relationships throughout the Foundation; work with other departments proactively; anticipate potential issues and propose solutions; offer assistance and service to colleagues; and present ideas for improvement and be able to create a project plan to execute these improvements.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in the design, implementation, refinement and adaptation of grantmaking strategies and in planning future program strategies, as needed

• Assist in the design of new initiatives

• Identify prospective grant recipients and work with prospective grantees 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 and the implementation of grant strategies

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

• Organize meetings of prospective grantees, grantees, program advisors, and others in relevant fields

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

• Write extensively for internal 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 speaker or panel participant

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, researcher or practitioner in a relevant nonprofit or academic field preferred; previous grantmaking or grant seeking experience is desirable

• Seasoned generalist with the ability to work across multiple subject areas

• 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 program(s)

• Able to make effective connections among research, policy and practice and to work productively with government, community-based organizations, and academic institutions, and working knowledge of relevant government policies and programs

• Excellent analytical and communications skills, including writing and public speaking

• 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 Program Officer must be willing to travel occasionally.

The position is currently hybrid and based in Chicago, Illinois.

Annual salary for this role will start at $120,700. We offer a generous total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and a comprehensive benefits package to support your life, health, and well-being.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The work environment is an office setting.  Intermittent physical activities will include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours.  Requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job.  Reasonable accommodations are also available during the interview process.