The McKnight Foundation is a fourth-generation family foundation that was established by William L. McKnight and his wife, Maude L. McKnight, in 1953. As an early leader of 3M, Mr. McKnight earned a reputation for spurring innovation and recognizing the creative potential in others—practices that live on at the Foundation and are reflected in its core values.

For over 35 years, The McKnight Foundation’s Collaborative Crop Research Program (CCRP) has worked to ensure a world where all have access to nutritious food that is sustainably produced by local people. This is accomplished through collaborative agroecological systems research and knowledge-sharing that strengthen the capacities of smallholder farmers, research institutes, and development organizations. McKnight takes a holistic, ecosystem approach to agriculture, supporting research and partnerships that lead to increased crop productivity, improved livelihoods, better nutrition, increased equity, and regenerative environmental outcomes in ten countries on two continents. The CCRP grew out of the Foundation’s Plant Biology Program, which was founded in 1983, and reflects the Foundation’s long-time commitment to place-based grantmaking and learning from those working on the ground.

Since its founding, the CCRP has committed more than $134 Million in grantmaking to further collaborative crop research between smallholder farmers, leading local researchers, and development practitioners. Currently, grants support regionally based research projects that are grouped into three communities of practice (CoPs) in the Andes, West Africa and East & Southern Africa with leadership provided by regional consultants in collaboration with the Foundation team. The team also manages a portfolio of multi-region cross-cutting grants that fund research methods support, cutting edge innovations, and collective action/global thought leadership.  

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Program Officer will work at the cutting edge of transdisciplinary agroecological solutions and cultivate a global portfolio of research projects and related investments focused on creating equitable and sustainable options for smallholder farmers and food systems.

A member of the McKnight Foundation’s international program team based in Minneapolis, the Program Officer reports to the International Program Director. Working in close collaboration with the international team, grantees, regional consultants, and partners around the world, the CCRP team develops strategic responses to a range of pressing global challenges including rising population growth and global food security; mitigating agriculture’s impact on climate change and adapting to the impact of climate change on agriculture; and, the tension between regenerative and unsustainable crop production.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for the International Program Officer is $111,600-$117,800. The position is based in Minneapolis, MN (there are no exceptions). While the team is working remotely during COVID, employees are scheduled return to the office part-time in September 2021 and fulltime in January 2022.

HOW TO APPLY

Click here for more information or to apply. The McKnight Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. 

Please submit your resume and cover letter expressing your interest in the position and fit for the role via GoodCitizen’s Candidate Portal link provided. Letters may be addressed to Sarah Meyer. 

The following team from GoodCitizen is assisting the McKnight Foundation in their search:

Sarah Meyer         Mollie Smith
Vice President       Search Associate
206.792.4221.      206.462.6190

[email protected] [email protected]