Marine Ecosystems Program Officer

The Walton Family Foundation, based in Bentonville, Arkansas is seeking a Program Officer for their newly established Environment and Conservation Program. The Program Officer will be responsible for developing and leading the Foundation's work in marine ecosystems.

About the Walton Family Foundation

Headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, the Walton Family Foundation was founded by Sam M. Walton, founder of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and his wife Helen R. Walton. Their purpose in establishing the Foundation was to focus the Family's philanthropic efforts to assure that their charitable giving would have the most positive impact.

The Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations for K-12 education reform, community development in the Northwest Region of Arkansas and the Mississippi River Delta Region of Arkansas and Mississippi, the environment and other areas of special interest. A family-based Board of Trustees provides overall direction for the program areas. A current staff of fifteen conducts the day-to-day operations. 

Environment and Conservation Program

The goal of the Environment and Conservation Program is to address marine and freshwater conservation/restoration issues at a meaningful scale, with preference given to market-based strategies that utilize the best available science and economic rewards for sustainable resource use.

To date, the program's objectives have been to:

• Dramatically improve fisheries management practices worldwide through the creation of economic incentives for sustainability
• Ensure efficient and rapid restoration of targeted freshwater systems (with initial emphasis in the Mississippi River and Colorado River watersheds)
• Conserve selected, biologically important marine areas through the establishment of networks of protected areas and the sustainable use of marine resources

Foundation strategies and objectives will continue to be refined over time based on lessons learned from its grantmaking experience. The Program will continue to actively explore ways to sharpen its strategic focus for more concentrated impact.

Position Overview

The Program Officer will be based in Annapolis, Maryland, and report to Scott Burns, Director of the Environment and Conservation Program. The Program Officer should be comfortable and familiar using market-based reforms in the field of marine conservation, with knowledge of U.S. and international marine conservation and fisheries reform.

The broad goals for the Program Officer include:

• Provide strategic program direction and leadership, expanding the Foundation's focus in marine conservation.
• Lead the development of long-term program strategies based on the evolving interests of the family and the results of current grants.
• Work closely with the Foundation's Executive Director, Program Director, Board members and program consultants in continuing to shape the marine program.
• Actively partner with grantees and other stakeholders, holding them accountable for results.
• Assist individual Board members with charitable programs of special interest related to the environment.
• Provide leadership to the marine conservation community and facilitate collaboration and leverage where appropriate.
• Represent the Foundation at professional meetings and to the broader community.

Responsibilities:

• Develop effective overall grant making and campaign strategies based on family interests, which give preference to market-based approaches.
• Manage external and internal program evaluations, based upon clearly established, measurable goals.
• Make recommendations for grant and program-related investments to the Board.
• Work with grantees to develop proposals, make site visits, and establish specific, measurable desired outcomes.
• Work closely with staff and consultants to manage grants and administrative budgets.

Qualifications:

The position calls for a sophisticated, comprehensive understanding of marine conservation and fisheries reform issues. This position will require knowledge of and preference for the use of market-based tools for conservation.

The role requires self-direction and decisiveness combined with flexibility and a capacity to give and receive feedback graciously. The Foundation seeks to recruit an individual with superior interpersonal skills, a respectful attitude for the work of grantees, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team.

The Program Officer should ideally possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

• A passionate commitment to the goals of the Walton Family Foundation's Environment and Conservation program and the ability/willingness to adapt as those goals evolve.
• At least 5 years experience in natural resource management, policy or advocacy, with strong emphasis on marine ecosystem issues.
• Graduate degree in a related field preferable.
• Demonstrated experience in program development and ability to involve and mobilize interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge and preference for applying market-based mechanisms for conservation.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to relate to many different public policy, private sector, nonprofit and community leaders.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a team as well as independently.
• Intellectual agility and the ability to analyze, think critically, and understand emerging issues that are directly relevant to programmatic funding areas.
• Unquestionable ethics and personal integrity.

Compensation: The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

Please email or mail a cover letter and a resume.

California Environmental Associates,
423 Washington St, 4th Floor,
San Francisco, CA 94111

The Walton Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.