ROLE OVERVIEW

The Program Manager/Program Officer will work with the Grant Programs Team to deliver a strategic and effective Grant Program that enables Comic Relief US to achieve its vision of a just world free from poverty. Through funding across four strategic focus areas, Red Nose Day works to ensure that children in low-income communities in the US and around the world are safe, healthy, educated and empowered. Undergirding each of these four pillars is a cross-portfolio focus on gender and racial equity, building resilience and elevating populations most impacted by poverty.


The Program Manager/Program Officer, in partnership with the Director of Grant Programs, will lead on the development of the Red Nose Day (RND) Grants portfolio and other Comic Relief US grantmaking programs. This position serves as a senior relationship manager for Grantee Partners with regard to Red Nose Day campaign support and year-round Comic Relief partnership and ideally, will have experience advancing health rights and justice for historically underserved communities. The geographic focus of the Red Nose Day Fund is both domestic and international and the Program Manager will hold responsibility for grantmaking in 30+ countries including the United States. The Program Manager will also serve as a key thought partner with the Grant Programs Team and across teams in support of Comic Relief US growth and sustainability goals beyond the Red Nose Day campaign. The Program Manager is a member of the Grant Programs Team and reports to the Director of Grant Programs. S/he will supervise one direct report.


Candidates should be based in the NY metro area.


PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Grantmaking, Strategy and Program Development (40%)

  • Partner with the Director of Grant Programs to design, refine, and implement the Comic Relief US (CR-US)/Red Nose Day (RND) grantmaking strategy.

  • Partner with the Grant Programs Team to fully integrate the Theory of Change (TOC) framework into the grantmaking strategy.

  • Partner with the Director of Grant Programs to manage the expansion of the RND Health pillar strategy, in line with CR-US priorities.

  • Partner with the Director of Grant Programs and the full Grant Programs Team to develop new CR-US funding initiatives; research and identify potential Grantee Partners.

  • Partner with the Director of Grant Programs on expanding RND’s domestic Health grants portfolio in line with CR-US priorities; develop new domestic Health funding initiatives and research and identify potential grantees with a focus on promoting health justice and policy for historically underserved communities.

  • Conduct research and assess concept notes/proposals for new, prospective Grantee Partners.

  • Develop, plan and organize program-related workshops, training and events. 

  • Partner with the Sr. Manager, Grant Management and Programs to maintain and update a financial model for all Grant Programs.


Grantee Relationships(40%)

  • Research trends, interview experts and identify opportunities to extend the reach of high-impact programs serving low-income children and youth domestically and globally.

  • Will serve as Program Officer/Assessor across all domestic Health programs.

  • With the Grant Programs Team, develop strong partnerships with Grantee Partners, grounded in trust and respect; serve as a primary point of contact for Grantee Partners on grantmaking related interactions.

  • Partner with the Director, Grant Management and Programs, manage application and report review process with Grants Team and independent Assessors.

  • Assist grantees with the preparation of grant proposals, grant reports and supporting documentation; ensure all required documentation submitted is in compliance with grantee letters of agreement as well as internal requirements.

  • Continuously improve the quality of applications and reports in coordination with Sr. Manager, Grant Management and Programs and Assessors.
    Support planning of quarterly Grantee calls as well as Grantee gatherings.


Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) (10%)

  • Partner with the Grants Team to design and manage CR USA’s monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) systems.

  • Advocate for trust-based philanthropy across CR USA’s (MEL) systems in a way that ensures efficiency and respect for grantees, and maximizes learning.

  • Support the Director of Grant Programs and external consultants on the development of DEI policies, strategy, and practices as they relate to grantmaking  and grantee partners. Track the progress of grantee partners in relation to the DEI scoring rubric.

  • Monitor the activities of funded organizations and projects; reviewing and analyzing grantee reports; assessing grant program trends, outcomes and impact.

  • Monitor external, internal and programmatic risks to programs; proactively communicate risks to VP of Grant Programs and Grants Committee as needed. 

  • Share learnings with the Grant Team, Assessors and organization at large.

  • Organize, and occasionally participate in, MEL site visits for Grants Team members and Assessors; coordinate agendas and schedules, manage budgets and logistics for site visits; process and share site visit reports.

  • When appropriate, participate in field building and learning opportunities with regard to MEL.

Safeguarding and Cross-Departmental Coordination (5%)

  • Serve as a Safeguarding Compliance Officer.

  • Partner with the Director of Grant Programs to manage safeguarding policies and practices with Grantee Partners throughout the grant cycle.

  • Consult with the Sr. Manager, Grants and Communications and support other CR-US departments in leveraging grantee-provided assets to ensure the dignity and privacy of featured person(s) in CR-US appeal films, and across its digital and social platforms and serve as primary liaison between other departments and the relevant marketing, communications, PR, creative, digital and talent counterparts and Grantee Partners. 

  • Present on grantmaking activities and impact to relevant CR-US teams as required.

  • Monitor external, internal and programmatic risks to programs; proactively communicate risks to VP of Grant Programs and Grant Programs Team.

Impact Communications (5%)

  • Partner with the Director, Grants and Communications to provide input on the development of concise and compelling communications about CR-US grantmaking and social impact that can be used for marketing and public engagement.

  • Ensure the Grant Programs Team provides content needed to produce the RND Campaign and other CR-US campaigns.

  • Provide child safeguarding guidance on filming projects to ensure that CR-US relationships with Grantee Partners are protected and CR-US's impact is portrayed accurately and ethically; working with the Sr. Manager, Grant Programs and Communications, connect filmcrews with relevant Grantee Partners, participate in briefing calls, and attend filming trips as required.

  • Produce or provide feedback on impact-related content; research and write issue briefs/talking points for senior leaders.


Other duties as required.


EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

  • The Program Manager/Program Officer will have a depth of understanding of professional grantmaking in a foundation environment, understanding of work in the nonprofit sector and a strong desire to work with and support the CR-US/RND grantees.

  • A minimum of seven (5-7) years of proven experience funding programs in the non-profit or philanthropic sector in the field of poverty alleviation, particularly in addressing the needs of children, is essential; both domestic and international grantmaking experience is preferred.

  • Experience advancing health rights and justice for historically underserved communities.
    Demonstrated commitment through lived and/or work experience, educational background, and volunteer experience to poverty alleviation and social justice is essential.

  • Undergraduate degree in a related field is required.

  • Master’s degree in a related field – along with fluency in Spanish (or second language) - is ideal.
     

PERSONAL QUALITIES AND ABILITIES

  • Passionate about and committed to CR-US’ mission, vision and values.

  • Brings a strong intersectional analysis to the work.

  • Deep understanding of Trust-based philanthropy practices.

  • Commitment to social change and to learning from and with nonprofit partners.

  • Deep analytical skills in the organizational, programmatic, and financial arenas.

  • Strong participatory leadership, management and organizational development skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams and to cultivate trust and positive relationships internally at different levels of the organization and externally with Grantee Partners and the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

  • Professional with a demeanor demonstrating integrity, humility, respect, cultural sensitivity and flexibility to represent CR-US in diverse forums and partnerships.

  • Strong written communications skills, along with highly effective oral communications and engaging presentation skills.

  • Strength in working in a fast-paced environment, under pressure and meeting deadlines.

  • Ability to travel (~10%) balancing time in the field for MEL site visits and other opportunities as needed.

  • Great sense of ingenuity, curiosity, and humor.


The targeted annual base pay for this role is anticipated to be $75,000 - $85,000.


Comic Relief US values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of individuals of underrepresented backgrounds including race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation.

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