Program Assistant

The Program Assistant will provide administrative, research and grants management support to the Executive Director of the NorthLight Foundation. NorthLight Foundation works to build a world where the Earth’s environment is healthy, protected, and sustained for future generations. Our work focuses on building power across diverse communities to lead on environmental protection, with a particular focus on climate and land conservation. We fund through a lens of environmental justice.

The Foundation invests in five areas of focus, each centering on environmental movement building: leadership development, cross-issue collaboration, Just Transition, public lands, and Alaska. NorthLight Foundation also supports scholarship and education through the John L. Tishman Fund.

The Foundation in its current form was established in the beginning of 2018. As such, it remains a relatively new entity with a mission and grantmaking strategy still in development. In addition to the Executive Director, current staff includes a Program Associate. Additional support is provided by staff of a family office.

The ideal candidate will be a confident and detail-oriented problem solver with strong organizational and people skills, who is committed to the issues on which the Foundation is focused and energized by contributing to a still young organization.

This position is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to learn about philanthropic grant-making and gain a deeper understanding of how strategic philanthropy can deliver results for communities affected by environmental and climate disruption.

Responsibilities

Workflow and Administration:

• Assist in meeting management, including preparation of PowerPoint presentations, coordination of participants and attendees, documenting meetings, managing communications issues and follow-up
• Proofread and edit reports, memoranda, or other programmatic materials
• Manage the Foundation website and assist with other public-facing communications
• Support document management and storage
• Manage some communication with external partner organizations and grantees which may include phone calls, emails, in-person meetings under the guidance of the Executive Director
• Undertake research projects in the Foundation’s areas of interest, as needed
• Plan and coordinate events for Foundation staff and grantees, including travel arrangements, venue management, and administrative logistics
• Provide additional administrative support as needed to the Executive Director including, but not limited to contract management, preparing expense reports, organizing information, data entry, task management

Grant-Related Administration:

• Serve as primary point person for external grants manager (JustFund)
• Request administrative and support information relative to grantee proposals and grant action, as needed
• Establish and maintain appropriate files
• Plan and coordinate logistics for site visits and major grantee meetings
• Maintain grantee contact information in a Foundation database
• Assist with grant-related inquiries, coordinate responses, and maintain correspondence control records

Qualifications

• BA/BS plus a minimum of 0-2 years of relevant office experience or equivalent work experience
• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of environmental and environmental justice issues is important, but topic area expertise is not a requirement
• Highly functioning administrator who is proactive and able to self-manage, prioritize work assignments, problem solve, manage multiple deadlines, and represent the Foundation in any given environment if called upon to do so
• A team player with an ability to work with accountability and responsibility; ability to contribute to a positive, productive, open and supportive environment that motivates everyone to perform at their best
• Strong oral and written communications skills; ability to manage communications tactfully and professionally with high attention to detail and accuracy
• Demonstrated proficiency utilizing online information resources and data tools for information retrieval and data entry; experience undertaking internet-based research
• Detailed knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office and Google productivity applications, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, Slides

Alignment to Culture and Values:

• Commitment to the Foundation’s mission and core values of equity, inclusiveness, diversity, openness, collaboration, trust and accountability
• Personal qualities of humility, capacity for self-reflection, and a sense of humor
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues
• Action-orientated and entrepreneurial self-starter who can work well independently and in teams

Compensation

The NorthLight Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage qualified candidates without regard to race, creed, color, religion or belief, gender identity, sex, age, national, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status, genetic or family history, or any other characteristic or status protected by law.

Salary is commensurate with experience and the Foundation offers a highly attractive overall compensation and benefits package.

While this position is currently remote due to the pandemic, candidates located in the Northeast are preferred.  Travel – post pandemic – may also be required.

Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter to: info@northlightfoundation.org