PROGRAM OFFICER, RISE TOGETHER FUND AND RISE TOGETHER ACTION FUND

ABOUT PROTEUS FUND 

Proteus 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 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, and queer 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 $18 million and reached more than 500 organizations. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Program Officer will help develop, execute, and evaluate grantmaking and program development, strategy in furtherance of RTF and RTAF goals. Specifically, the Program Officer will help oversee RTF’s grantmaking activities, implement grantee program development, technical assistance, capacity and field building efforts and/or other learning opportunities to support the BAMEMSA field.  

This is a full-time (40 hour per week) US-based remote position. 

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee a defined portfolio of active RTF and RTAF grantees. This may include supporting two program strategy goals: grants and programs designed to amplify the impact of historically marginalized communities, including grantmaking to Black and African immigrant and/or Black and African Muslim-led organizations, and grants and programs designed to build the infrastructure and interconnectedness of the broader field through communications, digital security and other field building support.

• Explore opportunities to support new and emerging work in the field by leading RTF and RTAF’s Rapid Response and Opportunity Fund grants program.

• Manage the grant review process, including requests for proposals, researching and evaluating proposals, writing assessments and conducting site visits and regular phone calls with grantees, potential grantees, and stakeholders, as well as evaluating progress and grantee needs.

• With the Program Director, strategically assess the short and long-term needs of the field, and if needed develop programming, training and field 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 ensure a feedback loop to adjust existing or implement new program strategies.

• Support the Strategic Partnership Officer in providing grantee information for funder proposals, reports, and updates and assist in crafting compelling outreach to current and new donors that reflects the needs of the BAMEMSA field. Develop relationships with funder partners.

• With the RTF team, plan and implement the RTF dockets meetings and funder briefings.

• Coordinate closely with program staff to effectively share RTF’s work and impact within philanthropy and the field through promotional materials, blog posts, email blasts, webinars and RTF meetings and other philanthropic events.   

• Partner with Proteus Fund finance team to review and provide direction on the annual budget and monthly reconciliation process alongside the Program Director.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Program Officer has four years + of formal or informal experience leading social justice strategies and/or experience building programming to support the rights and inclusion of BAMEMSA field on a national, state or local level or other equivalent experience. They possess a deep understanding of the BAMEMSA experience and a track record of working with diverse communities. They also have experience in philanthropy or grantmaking in the non-profit sector.

 Additional requirements and experience include: 

• Excellent writing, editing, and research skills. Strong attention to detail.

• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills. 

• 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 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 mission and values of progressive social justice movements and RTF’s commitment to resourcing the BAMEMSA field equitably;

• Cultural responsiveness and an alignment with our values and commitment to equity and inclusion;

• Strong relationship building, high ethical standards, discretion, and tact;

• Personal qualities of humility and empathy.

COMPENSATION 

The salary range for this position is $80,000-$95,000 per year. (Proteus Fund utilizes geographic salary differentials, compensation will be contingent on location).

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

• Twelve paid holidays

• Professional development initiatives for growth

• Paid Family Leave 

TO APPLY

For consideration, please submit a resume and a detailed cover letter by May 30, 2022, that: 1) Describes 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 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 a 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 recruitment@skcmanagement.org.

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Proteus Fund, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Proteus requires its colleagues who are working in an office setting or who will be required to travel as part of their key responsibilities to be fully (3 shots) vaccinated against COVID-19. Where an employee has a medical or bona fide religious reason which prevents them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, Proteus will consider accommodations which may allow employees to safely perform the essential functions of their job.