Based in New York City, the Program Officer will implement grant making activities in the More and Better Learning Time initiative, which supports the reinvention of secondary education in communities of concentrated poverty by promoting the redesign and expansion of the traditional school day and year. The initiative is grounded in the conviction that the traditional school calendar, with its six-and-a half-hour day and 180-day year, was designed for a bygone era. As a consequence, promising 21st Century innovations remain shackled to a 19th Century school day and year. The current schedule and calendar are particularly limiting in neighborhoods of poverty, where schools have narrowed their curricula, denying many youth a well-rounded, personalized education – including time for science, history, civics, languages, arts, music, drama and sports. For these young people and their families, the benefits of more and better learning time go far beyond education. The hours between three and six can be very risky for young people on their own and a huge source of family stress. Schools with more and better learning time provide the opportunity to do something profound--transform entire communities for the better for our most vulnerable young people.
Working closely with the Director and the team of Program Officers in the Education and Scholarship Unit, the Program Officer will develop grant-making and other activities that 1) support effective and scalable designs of “more and better learning time” in Los Angeles, metropolitan Denver, Detroit, Newark, New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia; 2) systematically implement and sustain such schools in challenged neighborhoods in three-to- five major U.S. cities; and 3) build a national campaign to place more and better learning time at the top of the nation’s school reform agenda.
Specifically, the Program Officer will formulate plans to implement grant making in the initiative; solicit, review, and respond to grant proposals; prepare recommendations for Foundation funding; and work with other Foundation staff to monitor and promote effective communication of project results; and develop learning strategies related to the achievement of the portfolio’s goals. The Program Officer also will be expected to provide intellectual leadership in the field of equitable education and to work closely with Program Officers throughout the Foundation whose work relates to the initiative’s central mission. The Program Officer is also expected to collaborate broadly with scholars and practitioners, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other donors on issues of common concern.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate has knowledge of education practice and policy, including schooling in neighborhoods of poverty and racial isolation. Candidates should demonstrate excellent analytical, conceptual and organizational ability; outstanding writing and speaking skills in English (knowledge of a second language would be an asset); strong interpersonal skills; and the ability to effectively engage with governmental and non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutions, funding agencies and other institutional partners. Candidates should also have a demonstrated record of successful work as a team member. Skills in convening diverse groups and facilitating the accomplishment of clear outcomes are essential. A sense of humor and humility are a must. An advanced degree in education, public policy, law, business or a relevant discipline is preferred.
Salary
Salary is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided. The position will be located in New York City.
The Ford Foundation has retained the services of Isaacson, Miller. Nominations, inquiries, or application materials including a letter of application, resume and references may be sent in strict confidence to Jane Gruenebaum, Vice President & Director, and Christopher Rucker, Associate, Isaacson, Miller, 1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 2009; Telephone 202-682-1504; Fax 202-682-1272. Electronic submission of materials is strongly preferred; Apply to 4442@imsearch.com
Program Officer, More and Better Learning Time
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