The Spencer Foundation seeks to hire an Associate Program Officer to work with Foundation staff to implement goals in all aspects of its programmatic work. The Foundation’s purpose is to foster the development of new knowledge about education with the aim of educational improvement.
The successful candidate must be capable of working collaboratively with Program staff on developing and sustaining its research, fellowship and communications programs. Responsibilities include writing analytic reviews to support the development of research programs; these reviews may be based on literature reviews, conversations with leading researchers, conference proceedings, and findings from recent grantmaking. Other responsibilities include planning and organizing conferences with grantees and scholars; representing the Foundation at meetings and conferences and preparing reports and presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Duties also include working with Foundation staff, external committees and reviewers on the process and management of submitted proposals and grants, including reviewing grant proposals and facilitating external reviews; providing comments on proposals; preparing and presenting proposal recommendations; writing summaries of progress reports from grants and coordinating, monitoring and evaluating activities and outcomes for a portfolio of programmatic work.
In addition, program staff are entitled and encouraged to participate in the Foundation’s research time program that permits them to devote up to 20% of the workweek to their own research.
The Associate Program Officer will report to designated members of the Program staff. The appointment entails a three-year non-renewable contract. An additional one-year non-renewable term may be considered.
Qualifications:
• A PhD, EdD or other comparable graduate/professional degree with substantial concentration in education or a related social science field is preferred.
• Evidence of continued engagement with scholarly work in her/his field.
• Evidence of strong research and analytic skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and competing demands and to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in a role requiring collaboration within an organization, as well as a demonstrated ability to work with efficiency and diplomacy.
Salary commensurate with experience. The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Mail a letter of interest and current resume by November 30, 2013 to:
Director of Personnel
The Spencer Foundation
625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60611