ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is the only philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights around the globe. We support brilliant and brave grantee partners in the U.S. and internationally who challenge oppression and seed change. We work for racial, economic, social, and gender justice because we all deserve to live our lives freely, without fear, and with dignity
The first grantmaker to hundreds of organizations, Astraea plays a catalytic role for LGBTQI groups around the world - particularly those led by lesbian, bisexual and queer women, trans and gender-nonconforming folks, intersex people, and people of color. Our grantmaking, capacity building, media and communications, and philanthropic advocacy programs support their work to build powerful movements for justice. A proud public foundation and one of the first women’s funds in the world, Astraea has granted over $46million to LGBTQI activists and artists in our 43-year history.
POSITION DESCRIPTION – Full Time (35 hrs/wk with benefits)
Astraea seeks a dedicated, passionate, and collaborative Program Officer to sustain our international grantmaking and join our Program Team. The Program Officer is responsible for developing country, regional and thematic strategies, manages relationships with grantee partners, engages in capacity building and advocacy in philanthropy, and participates in learning and evaluation of Astraea’s programs. The Program Officer reports to Astraea’s Associate Director of Programs and may be based in their respective location or in Astraea’s New York office*.
* In response to public health guidelines concerning COVID-19, Astraea’s staff is currently working remotely. It is expected that they will continue working remotely at least through 2021. Staff will return to Astraea’s office when restrictions are lifted, and it is deemed safe to return.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Grantmaking
- Develop and manage diverse LGBTQI rights grantmaking portfolios in Latin America, including designing, updating, or reviewing regional strategies and budgets, conducting outreach to applicants, writing and disseminating requests for proposals, soliciting input from activists and advisors, writing grant summaries and recommending grants for approval.
- Contribute to the development of in-depth knowledge and strategic analysis of the regional/thematic portfolio, including current trends, threats and opportunities, and key resource people and organizations.
- Manage relationships with Astraea’s regional and thematic advisors, including recruitment, interview, nomination, support, and communication with advisors.
Capacity-Building and Accompaniment
- Manage relationships with potential applicants and current grantees, including resolving questions and issues, maintaining regular communications, engaging in networking and conducting site visits.
- Provide capacity building and accompaniment support to grantee partners, including through organization of convenings and training, securing their access to technical assistance resources and support with resource mobilization.
Philanthropic Advocacy
- Manage strategic philanthropic and movement partnerships by working closely with partner organizations, consultants, and funder and activist advisory groups.
- Be a key player in representing Astraea at local and international grantmaking and advocacy conferences and donor affinity groups as appropriate to Astraea’s philanthropic advocacy goals and participate in public speaking engagements and support grantee partner access to such spaces.
- Work collaboratively with the International Fund and Program Team leadership, and Astraea’s Development team to help secure and retain resources for Astraea’s programs.
- Coordinate philanthropic advocacy or organizational initiatives, through programmatic oversight, project coordination, budget management, strategy co-creation and implementation as well as liaison with activists, peer organizations and consultants.
Communications and Research
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of issues and trends facing LGBTQI organizations and movements globally, with specific regional expertise and focus, and particularly in Astraea’s geographic and thematic focus areas.
- Collaborate with the Communications Team on media and communications, generating data and reporting to impact philanthropy and develop materials that highlight the work of Astraea grantee partners and support Astraea’s strategic goals.
Learning and Evaluation
- Gather, analyze and document issue-, country- and grantee-specific information to feed into Astraea’s grantmaking, learning and evaluation, and development efforts.
- Participate in the program design, implementation and evaluation processes, including evaluating grantee progress and ability to link analysis, planning and evaluation.
- Support the learning & evaluation activities of the International Fund, including coordinating with Program Team members on mid-term check-in calls with grantee partners and contributing to the review and analysis of grantee reports/program activities.
General
- As a member of the Program Team, be responsible for remaining in compliance and adhering to any/all Astraea Foundation policies and procedures.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned from time to time.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields (e.g., gender studies, international relations, social sciences, public policy, international human rights law) or equivalent work experience required. An advanced degree is a plus.
- At least 5 years’ relevant professional experience in gender and racial justice, women’s rights, LGBTQI and human rights, and/or social justice movements.
- At least 3 years’ experience with grantmaking processes and procedures. Prior experience in participatory grantmaking or philanthropic organization is considered an asset.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated ability to manage and meet multiple deadlines, and develop creative solutions.
- Experience with supervision of staff and overseeing the work of consultants.
- Experience with training, capacity building, and participatory design/popular education a plus
- Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to articulate a clear vision for social justice using a gender and racial justice lens, facilitation and public speaking skills.
- Ability to work and communicate with diverse audiences and multi-stakeholders, including donors, colleague funders, community members and grantees.
- High level of proficiency with computers, databases and other technology. Knowledge of Blackbaud or other grantmaking databases is a plus.
- Commitment to, knowledge and understanding of the needs and issues of global LGBTQI and feminist movements and activists especially in Latin America.
- Prior experience with an international organization, including experience working with remote teams would be considered a plus.
- Fluency in English and Spanish required.
- Ability to travel within the US and internationally up to 25% of work schedule.
COMPENSATION
Astraea offers a competitive salary and benefits for this position, including resources for professional development. The starting annual compensation is $80,000.00. U.S. work authorization is required.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send resume/CV and cover letter to [email protected] with “Program Officer – International Fund (LA)” in the subject line or submit via the form on our website by March 15th, 2021. No phone calls, please. Only applicants being considered for interviews will be contacted.