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Program Officer, Racial Equity Initiatives

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is seeking to hire a Program Officer, Racial Equity Initiatives.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Officer, Racial Equity Initiatives (PO) is a member of the Foundation’s Community Impact team, reporting to the Associate Vice President, Racial Equity Initiatives (AVPREI). The AVPREI and PO advance the work of the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable. The Roundtable, formed in 2015, released “The Racial Equity Dividend: Buffalo’s Great Opportunity” in 2016, and since its inception has developed 10 strategies in cooperation with 100s of community partners to achieve systems change and greater racial equity in the region. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review the report and the work of the Roundtable prior to applying, which can be found at www.racialequitybuffalo.org. The Program Officer, Racial Equity Initiatives (PO) also works with the AVPREI, along with others within the Foundation and with external partners/groups to support and advance racial equity projects/initiatives through research, analysis, internal and external communications, project management and meeting and event management. The PO works in partnership with employees and managers across the organization and at times the community. The PO is expected to manage racial equity projects/initiatives from inception to implementation, coordinating with AVPREI, external partners, and internal function teams as necessary. The PO could have overall lead responsibility for an entire project/initiative or be given key functions/tasks related to the programmatic requirements and outcomes of a project.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Works on racial equity projects/initiatives coordinating with internal members, external partners, consultants and others as necessary.
  • Effectively conduct and perform the programmatic work and needed activities for projects/initiatives for which the position has responsibility.
  • Facilitate and/or support initiatives with internal and external groups, teams and community partners and entities.
  • Organize meetings and events around racial equity approved topics involving external individuals, groups, community or organizations.
  • Manage the work of consultants hired for functions related to projects/initiatives including developing and managing requests for proposals and competitive bidding processes.
  • Use project management tools in a standardized fashion, which includes, but is not limited to:
    • Maintaining project calendars and milestones so that projects stay on track according to pre-approved timelines.
    • Manage and control multiple projects through project life cycle
  • Organize, analyze, and present complex information to internal and external groups, teams, community partners and entities.
  • Preserve the Foundation’s established cross-sector partnerships that engage public, private, and nonprofit institutions, as well as residents, in collective action efforts.
  • Maintain a strong knowledge of community issues and extensive engagement and relationships in various community sectors.
  • Maintain a strong network related to the Foundation’s community goals involving a diverse group of citizens, professionals, community stakeholders, and elected officials (including those on the regional and national scene), when appropriate
  • Facilitate the efforts of stakeholders to create shared agendas, common action plans, assessment systems, and sustainability strategies related to projects/initiatives.
  • Work to continually improve the metrics and assessment tools, create and update dashboards useful to the projects/initiatives underway.
  • Work with the AVPREI to deliver key messages about projects/initiatives that are underway so that they reflect the Foundation’s brand and brand promises.
  • Reviews grant applications to determine awards using the Foundation’s grant application system.
  • Conducts research associated with grant applications.
  • Process grantee agreements, award/declination letters and related correspondence.
  • Ensures timely submission of grant documents and reports.
  • Evaluates and follows-up on grants.
  • Responds to grant information requests.
  • All other duties, as assigned.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • None

TRAVEL

  • Generally, travel is primarily within the eight counties of Western New Some domestic travel may be required for job training and professional development.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE/EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree: relevant backgrounds may include planning, public administration, nonprofit management, business, economics, etc.
  • Associates Degree with five years’ experience in philanthropy, community engagement, business consulting, sales, leadership, project management or similar
  • Proven program development and project management experience, prioritizing multiple projects within tight deadlines.
  • Strong interpersonal and team building
  • Working knowledge of the nonprofit sector and experience in leading and facilitating community coalitions.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons of diverse backgrounds and organizations through the Western New York community.
  • Experience in communicating in a persuasive, credible manner, in person, in digital settings, and in writing and presentations.
  • Good negotiating and conflict resolution
  • Strong analytical, evaluative, and managerial
  • Computer proficiency in all Microsoft
  • Technology skills and the ability to use software.

Salary range: $60k – $65k

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION:

For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Community foundations are designed to grow and evolve as our community’s needs change, and new positions are regularly created as a result. As the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo continues to grow, we’re looking for talented people who want to use their abilities to make a lasting difference. If that is you, then please send a cover letter explaining your interest in this position and what you would bring to the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

Send cover letter and resume as a single Word or PDF document via email to: Jobs@CFGB.org.

Please submit responses electronically via email. Response may also be received by U.S. Postal Service if an electronic medium is not available. No calls please.

Application deadline: Open until filled.  We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity, practices inclusion and works to advance equity.