Washington Area Women’s Foundation (TheWomensFoundation.org) is a Washington, DC-based public foundation, dedicated to mobilizing our community to ensure that economically vulnerable women and girls in the Washington region have the resources they need to thrive.

Our program work consists of:

1. Grantmaking:  Investing through a multifaceted approach in the three core areas of:
   1. Asset building;
   2. Jobs with benefits, career pathways, and family sustaining wages; and
   3. Access to high-quality early care and education.
2. Research and Education: Generating and distributing data about the status and needs of women and girls in the region, and the strategies necessary to address those needs.
3. Advocacy: Raising awareness of the policy issues that affect economically vulnerable women and girls.

The Women’s Foundation is seeking to hire a highly motivated self-starter for the position of Program Officer, Young Women’s Initiative (YWI). The Program Officer will report directly to the Vice President of Programs and work with a deeply knowledgeable and talented team committed to ensuring that economically vulnerable women and girls in the region have the resources they need to thrive.

The Program Officer, Young Women’s Initiative will develop and lead a community-wide initiative focused on young women and girls of color, gender non-conforming youth, and transgender young girls in Washington DC. The Program Officer will provide leadership around advocacy and research efforts related to improving outcomes for young women and girls in the DC metropolitan region; engage various stakeholders, practitioners, advocates, community-based organizations, and others on the issues impacting young women and girls of color; and develop and manage related convenings, advisory committees and working groups related to the Initiative.

The Program Officer, Young Women’s Initiative will also be responsible for setting and executing on the vision for building the long-term economic security and well-building of young women and girls of color, gender non-conforming youth, and transgender young girls in the region, and partnership development and cultivation.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in youth development, policy-advocacy, and organizing multiple stakeholders to drive a collective agenda focused on young women and girls of color.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community Engagement and Partnerships                                                                                     

The Program Officer, Young Women’s Initiative will be responsible for engaging key stakeholders at the local, regional and national level and the foundation’s strategy and vision for improving the economic security and well-being of young women and girls of color. S/he will also be responsible for helping to identify new and maintaining existing strategic partnerships to help increase funding and support of the Initiative.

Specific duties include:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive community/regional engagement strategy and vision for the Initiative that will ultimately help to improve the life outcomes and create new opportunities for girls and young women of color;
• Work to increase the visibility of the foundation, build trust with communities. 
• Engage a broad range of stakeholders, including Grantee Partners, non-profit organizations in the region, local and national Funders, government officials and legislators, businesses, and Foundation Donors;
• Represent the foundation and the Initiative at external community, regional and national events, when invited and necessary to gather information, influence change, and create critical connection to leverage the work of the Initiative;
• Develop, manage, and maintain all related advisory committees, councils, working groups and other ancillary groups related to the Initiative.
• Manage the Young Women’s Advisory Council (YWAC) including develop learning objectives and outcomes; supervise and work to ensure that the lead partner/consultant is meeting goals and objectives of Initiative; and take lead on the development of curriculum for YWAC with support from the lead partner.

Strategic Learning and Advocacy                                                   

The Program Officer, Young Women’s Initiative will be responsible for developing and managing unique learning opportunity for community partners, key stakeholders, practitioners, and advocates related to the issues impacting young women and girls of color in the region. Specific duties include:

• Identify and develop learning opportunities, workshops, convenings, symposia on issues related to and for young women and girls of color in the region;
• Develop and write with support from the Research and Evaluation Program Officer, briefs and reports related to young women and girls of color in the region;
• Develop and manage the GirlsLEAD Summit;
• Develop and manage advocacy agenda and priorities for the foundation related to young women and girls of color in the region;
• Maintain a breadth of knowledge of current trends, emerging issues, policy interventions related to young women and girls, nationally and regionally in order to position the foundation as a thought leader in the field; and
• Identify and lead communications components of any advocacy and research agenda focused on young women and girls of color, in coordination with the foundation’s communication’s team.

Grants Management                                          

The Program Officer, YWI will manage the foundation’s investments to organization’s working to improve outcomes for young women and girls of color in the region.  Specifically, s/he will review incoming grant proposals and reports; conduct site visits and maintain relationships with existing and potential grantee partners; represent the foundation at meetings, conferences or convenings related to young women and girls of color; identify opportunities to increase our visibility and reach; and help identify resources and support fundraising efforts in this priority area.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience (experience working in youth development, nonprofit direct service, advocacy, and/or experience in women's issues or poverty/economic security).
• Clear commitment to racial equity and ability to work with diverse communities across race, class, ethnic, political and geographic boundaries. Specific experience working in/with/for communities of color is particularly important for this position.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Strong project and time management skills and ability meet deadlines when working under deadlines, and be able to problem solve.
• Ability to foster collaboration and contribute to a strong sense of community among staff and board, and with colleagues outside the organization.
• Passion for improving the lives of women and girls in the Washington Metro region.

COMPENSATION:

We offer our employees a total rewards model, pairing a compensation package that reflects our organizational values, culture and mission with meaningful and significant work content, a supportive environment, and work-life flexibility.

Competitive salary and benefits package will be offered, including health, dental, and disability insurance, paid vacation, and 401(K) contribution.

People of diverse communities and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to candidates from the Washington metropolitan area.

TO APPLY:

Please email resume, cover letter, short writing sample, and salary requirements to [email protected] with the subject line “Program Officer, YWI.” Only applications including all of these components will be considered. Applications will be accepted through October 24, 2017.