The Senior Program Officer (SPO) for Black Student Success leads and oversees the strategic direction, planning, and development of strategies and investments for OCF’s Black Student Success Initiative. The SPO designs and implements approaches to support work in Oregon communities to improve educational outcomes for Black students pre-K through post-secondary with a particular focus on the strategies outlined in the State of Oregon’s Black Student Success plan. The SPO has responsibility for identifying, leading development, and implementation of pre-K through post-secondary proactive education initiatives and grantmaking. The SPO initiates and supports dissemination of effective practices and increases networks to help eliminate disparities for Black students in Oregon, facilitates learning communities, and cultivates opportunities to engage voices on behalf of Black students in rural communities.

In collaboration with the Vice President, Equity and Culture, the SPO serves as the Foundation’s statewide resource on issues related to Black student success. The SPO is responsible for actively increasing visibility and engagement in efforts to address Black student success through internal and external communications strategies. The SPO forges partnerships that increase support for Black student success statewide by engaging policy advocates, inspiring new giving to Black student success programs, and building bridges between Black communities and OCF. The SPO communicates the impact of programs to the OCF Education Committee, the OCF Board of Directors, and to the community at large. In addition, the position plays an external role in raising OCF’s profile and deepening OCF’s relationships with education leaders and organizations around the state and nationally.

OCF employees are expected to work a minimum of three days in the office beginning 2/21/2023. We are in the process of assessing eligibility for hybrid work schedules for our positions. After the initial training period, this position may be assessed as having an option to work remotely a portion of the week.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the $1-2 million/year multi-year Black Student Success Initiative, including providing oversight for the activities of the Black Student Success network; creating and implementing grantmaking programs, including a capacity-building grantmaking program; planning convenings for the funders collaborative; etc.
• Develop and execute a communications plan that supports the work of OCF’s Communications department and engages external community stakeholders to increase visibility of OCF’s commitment to the work
• Work with evaluation experts, Oregon Department of Education, and OCF’s Research Team to design a method for evaluation of the impact of OCF’s Black Student Success program. Create and maintain systems to track the progress and ensure that timelines and benchmarks are met
• Collaborate with Donor Relations to develop donor education programs that raise awareness of opportunities to support Black Student Success and Black communities in general
• Collaborate and engage with program staff across the state to maintain high quality programs that address regional needs and collaborate with staff to fulfill the broader, overarching mission and goals of the foundation.
• Serve as primary contact for potential grantees. Respond to inquiries for grants, manage application processes, communicate with grantees, and conduct site visits and nonprofit outreach
• Apply equitable grantmaking practices to ensure accessibility, reach and distribution of funding based on population or community need and intended impact
• Create reports and regular communications that educate key stakeholders across the state about the issues and successful solutions for black students

• Work with OCF staff managing initiatives and grant programs in the birth through post-secondary education sphere to ensure that Black Student Success goals and strategies are integrated in other programs where possible and appropriate

• Develop knowledge and expertise about organizations, people, and issues in related to Black communities across Oregon.
• Keep abreast of research and trends about effective and innovative practices and community needs related to Black Student Success to increase impact and identify opportunities for OCF investments.
• Serve as a resource for OCF Board members, Leadership Council members, community members, foundation partners and OCF colleagues who have broad informational needs related to nonprofit and community needs related to Black Student Success
• Ensure that funds under management by this position are consistently and effectively meeting donor intent, funds are being spent down, and that best practices are performed in grant proposal review

• In collaboration with relevant education staff and the Vice President of Equity, lead strategic investments and facilitate best practices that support education for Black students
• Lead strategic direction, planning and development of strategies and investments for OCF’s Black Student Success Initiative
• Collaborate with others to develop strategies using the breadth of tools available, including grantmaking, advocacy/policy, and community engagement
• Identify policy and advocacy opportunities for OCF to support systems change for improved educational experiences for Black students
• Oversee the implementation of a statewide coalition of leaders to develop and share evidence

based practice and advocacy for Black students

• Engage funders in learning activities and developing investment strategies for Black students in Oregon

• Stay abreast of research related to innovative practices, community needs, and activities in pre-K through post-secondary that improves opportunities for Black students; develop knowledge and expertise about organizations and compile information about people and issues across the state related to Black student education outcomes

• Identify opportunities for OCF proactive investments and oversee implementation
• Work to increase national and regional funder partnerships related to programs and investments that eliminate disparities in educational outcome for Black students
• Conduct fact finding and research related to OCF leadership’s special program interests and grantmaking related to Black students and their families

• Identify opportunities and implement strategic partnerships with private funders, state government agencies, and other key leaders in the education and youth development field to further OCF’s Black Student success initiative
• Collaborate with Philanthropic Services Department to support prospective donors, provide high quality donor stewardship, and support donor engagement in OCF’s priorities
• Act as a public representative and communicate with the Board, Leadership Councils, staff, outside stakeholders, media, etc., about OCF’s Black Student Success Initiative
• Work to increase national and regional funder partnerships to address issues related to Black student success
• Act as a public representative for OCF’s program-related work; attend community meetings; deliver community presentations; and meet with other foundation representatives and community leaders about specific topics and OCF priorities
• Represent OCF at meetings with public agencies, policy makers and other key stakeholders; serve on statewide or regional committees or task forces
• Represent OCF at local and national conferences and events in order to share OCF's work and impact
• Conduct outreach, communicate with, and develop relationships with grant seekers and other constituents statewide about foundation priorities, guidelines, grant opportunities and grant decisions
• Plan, implement and evaluate community engagement strategies to strengthen relationships and establish trust, build capacity, and provide meaningful opportunities for community involvement in OCF's Black Student Success work
• Create reports to externally communicate progress, successes, challenges, and future directions, as applicable
• Deepen our partnerships with other foundations, business, and government to advance OCF's strategic priorities
• Work to collaborate with other foundations and ensure approaches are coordinated when appropriate

Supervisory Responsibilities - Percentage of Time: 5%

• Guide, support, and supervise Associate Program Officer for Black Student Success
• Develop and oversee contracts with consultants associated with OCF's Black Student Success Initiative
• Participate in trainings and opportunities for collaboration with other supervisors periodically

Marginal or Non-Essential Job Duties - Percentage of Time: 2%

• Participate in the Community Grant program and other grant programs by reviewing grant proposals and sharing knowledge about Black communities and leaders in Oregon
• Assist with and participate in OCF outreach events as appropriate
• Communicate with the public, as needed, about the foundation’s work to address Black student success
• Conduct outreach and relationship building with Oregon’s Black/African communities: assist OCF staff and leadership with strategy for relationship building
• Serve as the liaison between OCF and Black communities as equity work evolves
• Lead or participate in statewide efforts to advance department priorities as appropriate

Required Cultural Values: In addition to the specific job requirements for each position, staff are expected to embody certain cultural values to support OCF’s mission: communicate effectively, value one another, demonstrate accountability, embrace possibilities, address conflict, and take action.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for the role.

• 
  Eight or more years’ progressively responsible and relevant work experience in grant making or nonprofit program evaluation, and/or program planning and management, resulting in strong knowledge of nonprofit sector, grant programs, and initiatives
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field; equivalent experience in lieu of degree is acceptable
• Three or more years’ prior supervisory experience – building, leading, mentoring, and inspiring team members to strategize, set priorities, and accomplish shared goals
• Experience coordinating team efforts within an organization or community involving staff, volunteers and/or community members

• 
  Extensive knowledge of education and/or philanthropy, community foundations and/or related fields, with a strong preference for experience in Oregon
• Strong analytical skills including the knowledge and ability to think critically, solve problems, conduct research, analyze program options, implement decisions effectively, evaluate nonprofit organizations’ strengths and weaknesses, including financials. Good planning skills – able to design and present informative, engaging workshops for nonprofits and volunteers
• Outstanding oral and written communication and meeting facilitation skills. Able to make public presentations and facilitate meetings. Able to prepare written materials that convey information clearly
• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills, able to prioritize and manage several projects concurrently, organized and efficient
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain relationships and work collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes. Able to address conflicting needs, able to assign tasks appropriately and diplomatically, and able to effectively supervise and mentor others
• Comfortable with ambiguous and/or complex situations
• Ability to work independently and to take initiative as needed
• Excellent customer service skills to provide service that is courteous and competent, promoting trust and confidence
• Cultural agility skills needed to work with diverse groups of people
• Basic familiarity with nonprofit budgeting and accounting
• Lived experience and significant relationships that lend to success in this role
• Strong knowledge of MS Windows, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and Internet. Previous experience working with integrated database
• Valid driver’s license

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: This job is typically performed under very comfortable working conditions; any disagreeable elements are generally absent during normal performance of the job. Job duties are performed in an office setting or indoor meeting rooms. Requires repetitive use of keyboard and monitor, and ability to sit or stand for long periods at a time. Requires ability to use telephone and standard office equipment. Requires ability to perform site visits and communicate verbally with others. Requires ability to set up for meetings, including adjusting tables, chairs, and transporting meeting materials. Requires ability to lift, pull, reach, carry, push, and drive.

The amount of effort typically applied and the frequency of application: (Whereas, the following refers to lifting, any equivalent effort may be substituted.)

Less than 1 pound – Effort applied 40-70% of time

Between 1 and 5 pounds – Effort applied between 15-40% of time

Between 5 and 25 pounds – Effort applied less than 15% of time

Effort typically applied while sitting, standing, walking, stooping, and bending.

Is required for performance of job duties. Requires ability to travel throughout Oregon to conduct site visits and attend meetings outside regular work hours. Requires up to 300 miles per day and some overnight stay.

Safety: Support a safe work environment by performing work duties safely and according to procedures. This includes reporting all injuries, illnesses or accidents sustained while working to your immediate supervisor as soon as possible after the occurrence or within 24 hours of the injury, illness, or accident, and reporting any accident involving OCF vehicles, equipment, or other property, regardless of the nature of the accident, to your immediate supervisor as soon as possible after the accident.

Attendance Requirements: Regular punctuality and attendance are required. Occasional work outside normal business hours (evenings and weekends) required to attend conferences, convenings, and community events and celebrations.

Compensation and Benefits: This is an exempt, full-time position. The hiring range for this position is $100,000 to $115,000, DOE. Salary offers are determined in conjunction with an internal pay equity assessment.

Our excellent benefit package includes generous paid time off, choice of medical and dental coverage, vision, outstanding 401k retirement plan, commuter and healthcare pre-tax savings accounts, employer-paid disability, and life. Employees have access to an Employee Assistance Plan, paid volunteer leave, professional development opportunities, and much more!

To be considered for this position, please provide a letter of interest addressing how you meet the requirements of this position and a copy of your most recent resume. Apply online at https://oregoncf.org/about/careers/