Charlotte, NC

Program Officer - Child and Family Well-Being, The Duke Endowment

The Organization

THE DUKE ENDOWMENT

The Duke Endowment was established in 1924 to fulfill the visionary genius and innovative legacy of James Buchanan Duke, one of the great industrialists and philanthropists of the 20th century. Today, the Endowment is one of the nation’s largest 501(c)(3) private foundations with over $5.5 billion in assets and 42 full-time staff. Since its inception, it has awarded more than $4 billion in grants, and more than 80 percent of its total spending goes to grantmaking. It shares a name with Duke University and Duke Energy, but all are separate organizations.

Located in Charlotte, N.C., the Endowment works to help people and strengthen communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds, and enriching spirits. Its grantmaking focuses on four program areas: Child and Family Well-Being, Health Care, Higher Education, and Rural Church, working through community partners and organizations to identify where grant funding can make an effective and lasting impact. In addition to grantmaking, the Endowment shares its knowledge by publishing resources for grantees and other service organizations, including information about what they learn from their work in various publications, reports, and evaluations.

Position Overview

CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING

The Child and Family Well-Being program area takes the approach of a collaborative partner with public agencies and private organizations in North Carolina and South Carolina to prevent, treat and mitigate the effects of child maltreatment and improve child well-being outcomes.

The program area employs three grantmaking strategies:

  • Supporting the active implementation of tested programs such as Incredible Years and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Developing and testing innovative approaches that specifically look at risks and solutions through the lens of race
  • Advocating for child welfare system improvement by using their resources and relationships to support advocacy and communication strategies that speed improvement of the prevention, early intervention, and foster care systems

THE POSITION

The Program Officer is responsible for grantmaking and related activities aligned to Child and Family Well-Being’s strategic priorities.

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Consult with grantees on preparing grant requests; help prepare and present grant recommendations to the Board of Trustees’ Committee on Child and Family Well-Being.
  • Review and analyze information, population trends, and grantee characteristics related to topics of importance and possible new program initiatives
  • Develop new program initiatives and policy guidelines
  • Participate in the comprehensive evaluation of the impact of grantmaking activities and end-of-year grant evaluations
  • Represent the Endowment in relationships with current and prospective grantees, other funders
  • Represent the Endowment at local, state, and national meetings of governmental and philanthropic leaders
  • Assist with convening and facilitating meetings and conferences as needed
  • May assist as a liaison between grantees and local and state agencies, interpreting and communicating Endowment policies and funding priorities
  • Maintain long-term relationships with administrative and governing bodies of grantees
  • Serve on internal Endowment committees/special projects as needed

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: A bachelor’s degree in a program area discipline or allied subject matter; a graduate degree is preferred.

Experience: At least five years of professional “on the ground” experience working in an area relevant to Child and Family Well-Being’s work, knowledge of the child welfare system, and an understanding of the political, legislative, social, and economic environments in which Child and Family Well-Being and its grantees operate.

COMPETENCIES AND ATTRIBUTES

Candidates must be highly motivated, capable of self-direction, detail-oriented, and able to work collaboratively across an organization. They must enjoy working with multiple demands, shifting priorities, and be accountable and outcomes-driven.

The successful candidate will have:

• An understanding of the issues affecting low-income, people of color, and vulnerable communities and the root causes of the disparities

• Ability to think rigorously and analytically about advanced program outcomes and policy issues

• Initiative and a willingness to contribute, share ideas, and translate ideas to action

• Proven success in project management and working knowledge of finance and accounting, and applications to grantmaking

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to relate and communicate effectively with different audiences, including staff, grantees, trustees, and constituents

• Ability to meet deadlines and work independently when necessary

• Expertise, knowledge, and drive to make a meaningful impact

• Ability to travel to meet in person if allowed by health and safety standards or to meet remotely with grantees, stakeholders, Endowment staff, and others to conduct the work of the program area

The successful candidate will be:

• Committed to the work of Child and Family Well-Being and the Endowment

• Intellectually curious, strategic, and a doer

• A relationship builder with the ability to understand and work with individuals who have different viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds

• A thoughtful listener with a willingness to seek and consider multiple perspectives and possible solutions, and a creative problem solver

• Committed to treating others with dignity and respect

• Committed to continuous improvement of self and the Endowment

• Compassionate, trustworthy, authentic, and transparent

• Flexible, adaptable, and pragmatic

How To Apply

The Duke Endowment is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming people to flourish in an open and inclusive work environment. For additional information about the opportunity, please contact:

LISA FISHER
Principal
FISHER ASSOCIATES
Executive Search
lfisher@lafsearch.net

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