Program Associate

~ The David and Lucile Packard Foundation (Foundation) is a family foundation that is guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Lucile and David Packard, who helped found one of the world's leading technology companies. ~

Their approach to business and community participation has guided our philanthropy for over 50 years. Today, their children and grandchildren continue to help guide the work of the Foundation. The Foundation makes grants at the local, state, national, and international level.

The Foundation works on the issues their founders cared about most, which are improving the lives of children; enabling the creative pursuit of science; advancing reproductive health; conserving and restoring the earth's natural systems; and supporting and strengthening an array of local nonprofit organizations.

A staff of 120 conducts the day-to-day operations and a Board of Trustees oversees the work of the Foundation. For 2016, the Foundation expects to make grantmaking awards of over $300 million. David and Lucile Packard passed on to the Foundation the following core set of values: integrity; respect for all people; belief in individual leadership; commitment to effectiveness; and the capacity to think big.

The Conservation and Science Program is focused on the challenge of sustainability, finding development paths that meet human needs while protecting and restoring the ecological systems upon which all life depends. We invest in action and ideas that conserve and restore ecosystems while enhancing human well-being.

The Foundation supports initiatives to secure public policy reforms and changes in private sector practices, and scientific activities that develop knowledge and tools critical for addressing current and future priorities. Within the Conservation and Science Program, the Climate and Land Use (CLU) subprogram's goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with land use. We support grantees who work on policy reform, carbon markets, and supply chain approaches that reduce emissions from agriculture and deforestation in targeted regions around the world.

Position Overview

We seek an experienced program associate who will report to the program officer responsible for program operations and will provide associate-level program support for the CLU program officer and program director. Duties will include, but not be limited to, the following: 

• Maintain positive and productive relationships with a wide range of organizations and individuals; meet with grantees and partners and attend conferences as appropriate
• Know and understand the CLU subprogram strategy; participate in strategy refinement and monitoring, evaluation, and learning support as needed
• Work closely and interact with the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA) according to its processes and timeline requirements
• Coordinate and contribute to the timely preparation of the monthly President Approved Grants, quarterly grant docket, and strategy dashboard documents and processes
• Create and maintain grant files according to Foundation and CLUA polices; use Fluxx to manage grant information
• Monitor the subprogram grant budget and maintain the subprogram grant tracking system
• Facilitate the development and management of the subprogram administrative budget
• Meet Foundation, Conservation and Science Program, CLU subprogram, and CLUA deadlines while producing work that meets or exceeds quality guidelines
• Compose, proofread, and correct documents such that no further checking is required
• Monitor grants for Foundation legal, financial, and program compliance requirements
• Proactively research and assemble relevant information for correspondence, reports, and meetings
• Participate in and lead meetings to produce collaborative work products and improve processes; as needed take notes, keep records, and track and implement action items
• Respond in a timely, professional, and courteous manner to inquiries and other requests for information from applicants, grantees, and staff
• Compose meeting minutes, progress reports, general correspondence, denial letters, and other documents
• Track meeting expenses and work with staff to ensure attendees are reimbursed in a timely fashion
• Organize and maintain departmental electronic and paper files
• Coordinate and schedule on-site and off-site meetings for both internal and external participants
• Work closely and effectively with other members of the Conservation and Science program support team
• Other duties and projects as assigned 

Qualifications  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge and understanding of and interest in issues pertaining to the mitigation of climate-changing emissions from agriculture and other land uses would be a plus
• Meets deadlines and completes tasks (both internal and external) with a high degree of accuracy and dependability
• Highly effective written and oral communications skills; actively participates in group meetings
• Detail-oriented with excellent proofreading skills
• Able to multitask with well-developed organizational skills
• Manages and prioritizes own time and uses strong judgment skills to handle non-routine matters
• Able to anticipate information needed by others as situations and projects develop
• Consistently interacts with others in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner; maintains a positive attitude and good working relationships
• Works well with colleagues, consultants, funders, and grantees across many diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to suggest and implement process improvements when needed
• Works independently and as a productive team member in varied activities and projects
• Flexible and able to work with humor and grace under pressure
• Excellent skills and strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Willing to learn and become proficient at computer applications including Fluxx and Microsoft SharePoint
• Consistent and dependable for full-time work and willing to work overtime when occasionally required by the team
• Able and willing to occasionally travel to conferences and grantee meetings both domestically and internationally 

Physical Demands: 

• Candidate must have the ability to communicate via voice telephone, read and understand written communication, and generate written communication manually and using a computer
• Candidate must also have the ability to sit at a desk for 2-3 hours at a time, lift and move documents and supplies not to exceed 25 lbs., and bend to file and retrieve documents

Education and Experience: 

• College degree or equivalent education and experience; and a minimum of 4 years of administrative experience 

Compensation: The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with education and related work experience. The position is full-time and nonexempt. It is located in downtown Los Altos, CA. 

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your resume and one-page cover letter explaining how your skills and work background fit the position.
• Please referrence job number 16-08-6720R in the subject line.   

~ The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of applicants. ~