Program Officer, RISE Together 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

TO APPLY

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 [email protected] 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.