Job Title — Program Officer

Department — Children’s Anti Poverty Program

Reports to Program Director

Location — Washington, DC

Status — Full Time

FLSA Status (OT eligibility) — Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

Wellspring Advisors, a private philanthropic consulting firm, seeks a Washington D.C.‐based Program Officer to join its Children’s Anti‐Poverty Program. The mission of the Children’s Anti‐Poverty Program is to reduce the number of children and families experiencing poverty in the United States.

The Program Officer will work alongside an existing Program Officer and under the direction of the Program Director.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy

Under the guidance of the Program Director, develop strategic grantmaking approaches that respond to established priorities and proactively investigate and describe grantmaking opportunities and challenges.

Monitor developments in the field to identify emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities.

Write strategy and background papers to present and explain sets of proposed grantees and levels of funding.

Work with Wellspring’s Research and Evaluation staff to integrate measurement and evaluation as well as capacity‐building and technical assistance throughout the program internally and among grantees.

Partner with staff from related Wellspring program areas.

Grantmaking

Undertake initial screening of potential grantees; manage grantee relationships; analyze and assess background information; conduct site visits; solicit and develop funding proposals; determine appropriate funding levels (in compliance with Wellspring guidelines); prepare docket materials; monitor active grants and review progress reports.

Ensure adherence to internal grantmaking processes via appropriate documentation, grant budgeting, and reporting.

External Relations

Educate donor clients on issues related to strengthening national and state‐level policies to strengthen economic security for low‐income children and families.

Engage with the community of donors and NGOs working to advance the mission of the Children’s Anti‐Poverty Program.

Identify appropriate partners and collaborations to advance grantmaking strategies including, as appropriate, actively participating in conferences and workshops.. 

Organizational engagement

Actively participate in the advancement of organization‐wide initiatives.

Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of seven years of experience with a non‐profit or foundation focused on poverty alleviation in the United States.
• An advanced degree is in Public Policy, Political Science, or relevant field preferred.
• Ability to think strategically and establish goals and priorities that will be included in a multi‐year workplan for the program.
• In‐depth knowledge of advocacy strategies.
• Ability to establish and maintain close, collegial working relationships with colleagues and grantees of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Ability to work independently and manage own time.
• Ability to plan and manage multiple priorities on different timelines.
• Ability to learn quickly when confronting new issues and priorities.
• Ability to identify and extract critical information for communication within Wellspring and with donors‐clients.
• Ability to handle confidential donor‐client client information with complete discretion.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Superior writing and analytic skills.
• Ability to travel domestically frequently (25%).
• Good judgment and a good sense of humor.

ABOUT WELLSPRING

Established in 2001, Wellspring is a private philanthropic consulting firm that coordinates grantmaking programs that advance the realization of human rights and social and economic justice for all people. Wellspring has offices in New York, NY, and Washington, DC.

Wellspring’s work is rooted in respect for the dignity and worth of every human being and is informed by the following beliefs:

‐‐ Social institutions and structures should promote the full realization of human rights and human potential, and should be accountable to these ends.

‐‐ The rights of all people are advanced when the rights of the most marginalized and vulnerable peoples are protected.

‐‐ Social justice movements should employ means that are consistent with their ideals, and should give agency to the people whose interests they seek to advance.

‐‐ As responsible stewards, we must strive to maximize the impact of our charitable investments.

The firm’s services include: working with donors to develop, implement and administer giving programs that meet their philanthropic goals; conducting research and education tailored to the interests of our donors; managing programs, administering grants and monitoring grantee performance; and working to promote the effectiveness of programs that receive donor funding.

Wellspring Advisors, LLC, hires, promotes and retains employees based on their professional qualifications, demonstrated abilities and work performance, as well as on the degree to which these qualities are required in the employment positions made available by the Firm’s service needs and business requirements.

All personnel decisions are made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital, status, domestic partner status, military status, sex, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all our activities, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, discipline and discharge. This policy also bans discriminatory harassment.

Wellspring offers competitive compensation and a generous benefits package including 24 days of paid time off during the first year of employment, 100% of employee health coverage (and 80% for spouses/domestic partners and family members), and a contribution/match to a 401(k) plan.