Full-Time Program Officer
Job Description
Trusted Election Fund
Position Title: Program Officer
Location: Remote, some travel
Reports to: Project Director
Hours per week (average): 40
Salary Range: USD 110,000 – 120,000
Overtime Status: Exempt
About TEF
The Trusted Elections Fund is a pooled donor fund, housed at New Venture Fund, that convenes grantees to help map the field and identify solutions, makes grants, engages the donor community, and coordinates actions to prepare for, and respond to, high-risk threats to U.S. election systems and our democracy. TEF works across fields to support the organizations and entities best positioned to create a more just, inclusive and resilient democracy, ensuring that our nation and its communities are prepared to address emergent threats to the integrity of our election system and our democracy. Leading up to the 2020 Election, the Fund prepared for and responded to election crises that fall outside of politics as usual – including disputes over election results, interference with vote tallies, political violence, and candidate refusal to accept legitimate results. In a time of unprecedented threats, our interventions over the next three years seek a country in which a healthy US democracy is perfected, protected and promoted, inspiring trust and confidence in fair and legitimate elections, democratic institutions and practice.
Employment at TEF is through New Venture Fund, our fiscal sponsor.
Position Summary
The Trusted Elections Fund is seeking a proactive, experienced Program Officer to support efforts to prepare for, prevent, and respond to election crises in the U.S. 2022 and 2024 elections. We are seeing new efforts to delegitimize election systems, appoint partisans to positions who will be responsible for overseeing the process, normalize violence toward elected and election officials, and pass laws to make it easier for election results to be overturned without cause. The donor community, civil society, and the election infrastructure are not well equipped to deal with these risks. The Program Officer will manage a grant portfolio and work with grantees, donors, and consultants to develop and deploy approaches that address these and other emerging threats. The Program Officer will provide regular written program updates and offer grant recommendations based on the evolving election-related landscape.
While an employee of New Venture Fund, a 501 (c)(3), this position splits time between the Trusted Elections Fund (TEF), and the Trusted Elections Action Fund (TEAF), a project of the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a 501(c)(4). NVF and Sixteen Thirty are public charities that are proudly dedicated to supporting an entrepreneurial, creative, and ambitious start-up culture in the nonprofit advocacy world.
About you
The ideal candidate will be a self starter that can take initiative, with a proven ability to think analytically, strategically and with agility. They will also have the ability to translate ideas and insights into action by executing programs and educating donors about election crises and emergent threats to democracy. The ideal candidate must have a proven commitment to and passion for building a more just and true democracy, with a demonstrated commitment to racial and social equity. The ideal candidate will have the ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse organizations, leaders and stakeholders from across the political spectrum.
The Program Officer position is an excellent opportunity to have a leadership role in the urgent efforts to prepare for election-related crises, protect elections from sabotage, and strengthen the rule of law.
Responsibilities and Tasks
The Program Officer, reports to the Project Director and is responsible for the following:
Working with the Program Director, the Advisory Board, the Board of Directors, and other staff and stakeholders to develop convenings and research plans, grants, and contracts that further TEF’s three principal goals:
Countering election sabotage: Securing and safeguarding elections processes and holding accountable those who undermine the integrity of our election system and democracy;
Building resilience to election-related political violence: Reducing the risk of significant political violence – especially to communities most likely to be harmed – by fortifying local resilience to violence and fostering civic participation; and
Building field infrastructure to prepare for crises: Developing capacity across civil society, government, business, faith leaders, grassroots, and the donor community to prepare for and respond rapidly, effectively, and in a coordinated manner to election crises.
Facilitate increased dialogue and collaboration in the field by convening grantees, experts, academics, change-makers, and leaders.
Build and manage the partner network through convenings and events, as appropriate.
Monitor the field and implement proactive outreach plans to develop a pipeline of new grantees who can help meet the goals of the strategy as the landscape shifts.
Manage a portfolio of grantmaking with other program staff, including identifying, shaping, and preparing grants for consideration by the Program Director, Advisory Board, and Board of Directors.
Build and foster meaningful relationships with current grantees and support them in successful implementation of approved grant programs.
Monitor, engage, and capture learnings from grantees and contractors as they execute their grants and help share findings across the field.
Strengthen philanthropic partnerships by maintaining strong relationships with partner funders, developing new relationships, and advising donors and foundations.
Draft grantmaking recommendations for donors that prefer aligned giving
Collaborate with the Project Director and team to support overall efforts, including project and organizational strategy and management, fundraising, and budgeting.
Represent TEF publicly at events and in partnerships in a manner consistent with our mission and values.
Cultivate and support an organizational culture that is highly collaborative, positive, and productive.
Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Ability
We’re seeking an experienced leader committed to building a more just and inclusive multi-racial democracy.
Minimum of 7 years’ experience in elections or other democracy-related field, including but not limited to campaigns and advocacy, litigation/legal services, countering political violence, etc
Proven self-starter with the ability to think analytically, strategically and with agility to translate ideas and insights into action through coherent and viable program work
Ability to work in a bipartisan field with unlikely allies, such as corporations and people from across the political spectrum, in an effort to respond to crisis
Demonstrated commitment to promoting racial and social equity, with experience working effectively as part of a team and with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
Ability to build relationships with, and analyze and assess, organizations and their contributions to the fields in which we work
Significant experience working with a range of individuals in nonprofit organizations, government, foundations, and private sectors
A track record of effective written and verbal communication for various audiences and in various contexts
Previous grantmaking experience is valued but not necessary
Ability to travel periodically for work as industry and pandemic policies allow it
The salary range for this position is $110,000-$120,000. Comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance; 3% employer match on 401(k) contributions; pre-tax transportation benefits; and paid holiday, vacation, sick, and volunteer time off.
How to Apply
Please apply here and complete the accompanying screening questions:
Why are you interested in this role? (250 words or less)
The work at Trusted Elections Fund typically means responding to crises, which as we know can be challenging. Can you tell us how you approach tough situations and challenges that may arise? (250 words or less)
TEF was founded to provide direct financial support in the fight to protect our democracy. How do you see the role of racial and social justice in this work? (250 words or less)
Hiring Statement
The Trusted Elections Fund is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.
How to Apply
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