About GEO

GEO is a diverse community of more than 500 grantmakers working to reshape the way philanthropy operates. We are committed to advancing smarter grantmaking practices that enable nonprofits to grow stronger and more effective at achieving better results. The GEO community provides grantmakers with the resources and connections to build knowledge and improve practice in areas that are proven to be most critical to nonprofit success. GEO does this by developing conferences and peer learning programs, producing original research for publications and other resources, and providing networking tools to connect members with like-minded peers. For more information visit www.geofunders.org.

Position Description

The knowledge and learning specialist plays a key role on the operations team. S/he is responsible for managing internal learning and evaluation activities, identifying and supporting knowledge management needs, managing research and development projects and creating opportunities to listen and learn with nonprofit leaders to gain their perspective on our work. S/he is the lead project manager for real-time learning and evaluation for an emerging initiative, Leading Change in Philanthropy as well as our field survey and member survey. The knowledge and learning specialist has formal training in research, including an understanding of how to design, implement and analyze data from surveys and interviews, as well as the ability to interpret and write-up research results. S/he is a strong project manager with an internal sense of urgency, loves detecting patterns, is a learner by heart, enjoys manipulating information in our database to help meet the needs of members and possesses a spirit of curiosity. S/he is committed to providing excellent customer service, both to external stakeholders (such as GEO members) as well as our internal staff. The knowledge and learning specialist reports to the chief operating officer and is a member of the five- person operations team.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line: GEO Knowledge and Learning Specialist. Applications must be received by July 20, 2015. We will not consider applications without a cover letter. In your cover letter please address the following:

• Where did you see you the position posted?
• Why are you a good fit for this position?
• How you’ve prioritized learning in evaluation?
• What appeals to you about working at GEO?

If you were working with us, here are of the things you would have done last week

• Created the overall conference survey for The Learning Conference 2015 and sent to attendees
• Led staff that were onsite at The Learning Conference in an after action review process to capture highlights and areas for improvement
• Reviewed the final report from our research consultant on the member survey and prepared to lead a staff discussion at the upcoming staff meeting
• Participated in a planning meeting for the Change Incubator as the lead staff person for our developmental evaluation
• Developed a plan to collect feedback from nonprofit leaders to inform a new piece of GEO’s work
• Helped a colleague find a potential speaker for an upcoming webinar using information in our Salesforce database
• Joined the fall picnic committee and began researching potential ideas

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Three to five of years relevant work experience at a nonprofit
• Formal training in research, including experience designing, implementing and analyzing data from surveys
• Familiar with evaluation techniques including theories of change and logic models
• Strong project manager with an internal sense of urgency, loves detecting patterns and is a learner at heart
• Ability to be a self-starter and team player
• Experience using Salesforce database

Salary and Benefits

GEO offers a competitive salary (high $40Ks) and a generous benefits package, including 100 percent employer paid health insurance, three weeks vacation, twelve sick days and a generous employer retirement contribution, along with a Metro accessible location in downtown D.C.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.