Program Officer, RISE Together Fund

ABOUT PROTEUS FUND

Proteus Fund connects philanthropy to the frontlines of social justice. We strive to advance the interconnected goals of racial, gender, queer and disability justice and an inclusive, fully representative democracy. To do our work effectively and with significant impact, Proteus Fund creates dynamic relationships between progressive philanthropists, movement leaders, and other allies that go far beyond transactional grantmaking. Our trusted position among funders and field actors enables us to support, both through collaborative grantmaking and other efforts, a broad array of strategies to achieve social justice victories. Our donor collaboratives are best-in-class models for bridging responsive philanthropy and cutting-edge social justice movements for deeper impact, aligning resources to address critical needs, and shaping strategy alongside our partners. Through our fiscal sponsorship program, Proteus Fund partners with initiatives which play a powerful role in the larger ecosystem for social change, providing them with tailored and comprehensive organizational support.

To date, Proteus Fund, and its affiliated 501c4 organization, the Proteus Action League, have distributed $250 million in grants, and provided other essential tools to support activists, advocates, networks, coalitions, and issue-specific campaigns at the local, state, and national level. Proteus Fund is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Amherst, Massachusetts. Our staff is based across the entire United States.

ABOUT RISE TOGETHER FUND AND RISE TOGETHER ACTION

The RISE Together Fund (RTF) and RISE Together Action Fund (RTAF) support cutting-edge Black, African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (BAMEMSA) field-led work. RTF bolsters its national grantmaking with programming, field building, and technical assistance to build and expand the capacity of the BAMEMSA movement toward racial, gender, queer, and disability justice and a fully inclusive and representative democracy. Since 2008, RTF has funded directly impacted voices to lead policy and social change in BAMEMSA communities. RTF is the first and only national donor collaborative dedicated to supporting the critical work of BAMEMSA individuals and organizations facing anti-Muslim targeting, hate crimes, and xenophobia. In 2021, RTF’s grantees spanned 18 states and since 2008, RTF has granted more than $22 million and reached more than 500 organizations.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Under the supervision of the RISE Together Fund Program Director, the Program Officer develops, executes, and evaluates grantmaking and program development strategies in furtherance of RTF and RTAF goals to build BAMEMSA community power toward a just and inclusive multiracial democracy through civic engagement and policy advocacy efforts. Specifically, the Program Officer brings community power building and civic engagement knowledge and skills to manage our growing grantmaking portfolio of national, state, and local BAMEMSA organizations. The Program officer will develop and implement programming to build policy advocacy and civic engagement infrastructure, including technical assistance, capacity and field building initiatives, and/or other learning opportunities in coordination with RTF program staff, and engaging with philanthropic partners to raise funds to support this program. They will also participate in planning and implementation of field and funder-wide programming, including convenings, briefings, and other strategies.

This is a full-time (40 hour per week) U.S.-based remote position.

Proteus Fund welcomes everyone to our team. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, women, non-binary people, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee a defined portfolio of active RTF and RTAF grantees. This includes supporting the program strategy goal of community power building through policy advocacy and civic engagement.
• Explore opportunities to support new and emerging work in the field by leading RTF and RTAF’s capacity building programming and technical support, and coordinate rapid response and opportunity fund grants.
• Manage the grant review process, including requests for proposals, researching and evaluating proposals, writing assessments, tracking progress and grantee needs, and conducting site visits and regular phone calls with grantees, potential grantees, and stakeholders.
• With the Program Director, strategically assess the short and long-term needs of the field, and if needed develop programming and training support geared toward individual organizations or the overall field.
• Build and maintain expertise on the substance, dynamics, and priorities within the BAMEMSA field, including issues of racial justice, gender justice, civil rights, and civil liberties.
• In partnership with the RTF’s Program Director, develop internal and external evaluation measures to adjust existing program strategies or implement new ones.
• Support the Strategic Partnership Officer in providing grantee information for funder proposals, reports, and updates. Assist in crafting compelling outreach to current and new donors that reflects the needs of the BAMEMSA field. Develop and steward relationships with funder partners toward grant commitments.
• Plan and implement the RTF funder meetings and briefings along with the RTF team.
• Coordinate closely with program staff to effectively share RTF’s work and impact within philanthropy and the field through promotional materials, blog posts, thought pieces, email blasts, webinars, RTF meetings, and other philanthropic events, including conferences.
• Partner with the Proteus Fund finance team to review and provide direction on the annual budget and monthly reconciliation process alongside the Program Director and other team members.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Program Officer has four years+ of formal or informal experience leading social justice strategies and/or experience building programming to support field wide power building, civic engagement, and policy advocacy goals of the BAMEMSA field, or other equivalent experience. They possess a deep understanding of the BAMEMSA experience and a track record of working with diverse communities. Experience in philanthropy or grantmaking in the non-profit sector is a plus.

Additional requirements and experience include:

• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent writing, editing, and research skills. Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple high-priority tasks and responsibilities under tight deadlines and schedules while inspiring others to do the same.
• Ability and willingness to adapt as goals and community needs shift.
• Strong financial acumen to review and manage budgets.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills, including the ability to facilitate disagreement.
• Experience with identifying and stewarding new relationships, especially along lines of difference.
• We value candidates who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role.

Alignment to Culture and Values

• Commitment to the vision and mission of Proteus Fund as a progressive social justice organization.
• Cultural responsiveness and an alignment with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Strong relationship building skills, high ethical standards, discretion, and tact.
• Personal qualities of humility and empathy.
• Commitment to the mission and values of progressive social justice movements and RTF’s commitment to resourcing the BAMEMSA field equitably.

COMPENSATION

The starting salary for this role is $104,824 - $126,837 and is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, geographic location, skill set level, years of previous/applicable experience, and Proteus Fund's commitment to ensuring pay equity within the organization. The recruiting team will share more details regarding salary bands based on the candidate's specific geographic location as well as the other factors noted above. Salary is one part of the total compensation that Proteus Fund provides to employees.

BENEFITS

• Medical and dental benefits for employee and eligible dependents available on first day of work
• Retirement savings account (401k) with an organization contribution of 10% of annual salary
• Three weeks’ paid vacation in first year of work; four weeks in subsequent years
• Fifteen sick days per year
• Three personal days per year
• Fifteen paid holidays
• Professional development initiatives for growth
• Life Insurance
• Paid Family Leave, short-term, and long-term disability

For consideration, please submit a resume and a detailed cover letter by March 22, 2024 that describes: 1) Your interest in the position and RTF/RTAF, 2) Your experiences that satisfy the requirements and qualifications listed above, and 3) How you learned of this position. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.

Proteus Fund believes that one of the greatest strengths of an organization is the rich diversity of its staff and board and is committed to providing equal employment and promotional opportunities based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, ethnicity, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under the law. Proteus Fund’s policies and practices are to reflect Proteus Fund’s commitment to nondiscrimination in all areas of employment.

Proteus Fund is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Proteus will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at jobs@proteusfund.org or 413-256-0349 option 3. Additionally, throughout this document, use of the pronoun “they” is intended to be inclusive of humans who identify as non-binary as well as those of gender expansive identities and experiences.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Please note, in an effort to maintain and safeguard staff's health, well-being, and safety, Proteus Fund requires all employees to be vaccinated prior to their employment and adhere to the regular upkeep of COVID-19 vaccination requirements as per CDC recommendations while employed. Proof of the CDC-recommended level of COVID-19 vaccination is required as a condition of employment with Proteus Fund.