Job Summary
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a leading philanthropic institution helping communities create the conditions children need to thrive, is seeking nominations and applications for Program Officer for Early Childhood Education. In recent years, the foundation has sharpened its focus on improving conditions for vulnerable children, concentrating on three key factors of success and their intersections: education and learning; food, health and well-being; and family economic security. WKKF partners closely with stakeholders and policy makers to co-create a network of organizations working together to advance racial equity, leadership, and community engagement, while increasing access to quality education, healthy food, and economic stability for children and families in need.
The new Program Officer will identify and nurture opportunities for affecting positive change within educational systems and execute programming efforts that ensure that all young children have access to high quality and equitable education. S/he will screen and recommend grants for funding, prepare funding documents, conduct site visits, and manage and monitor the grant portfolio. The Program Officer will also maintain strong, authentic relationships with grant seekers and grantees and act as a spokesperson for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, effectively communicating the foundation’s goal of partnering with communities to improve the well-being of children and their families.
Responsibilities
The ideal candidate will have comprehensive knowledge of the learning experiences of all young children from birth through eight years who live and learn in underserved communities. S/he will understand the development and application of education policies and funding as they evolve at the national, state, and local level. The new Program Officer will bring an agile and innovative approach to implementing policies and best practices in service to children and families. These policies and best practices include but are not limited to: teacher preparation and professional development, equitable funding, child advocacy, culturally-relevant coursework, and flexible, results-driven assessments. The successful candidate will also be a holistic thinker who understands how to leverage relationships to drive the foundation’s mission forward. S/he will understand how to motivate social change not only as a partner with disparate organizations but also as a connector whose portfolio engages all areas of educational advocacy.
The successful candidate will have a deep and comprehensive understanding of program execution and development. S/he will possess a strong team orientation, a high tolerance for ambiguity, the ability to adapt quickly to change, and success working effectively with persons from diverse cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds. The new Program Officer will be committed to the values and mission of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
How to Apply
The search is being led by Katherine Jacobs and Courtney Thomas of Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, your resume (in Word format), salary history, and where you learned of the position should be sent to: WKKF-POECE@nonprofitprofessionals.com . In order to expedite the internal sorting and reviewing process, please type your name (Last, First) as the only contents in the subject line of your e-mail.
