Senior Program Officer, Climate Advocacy and Equity

Founded 18 years ago, Yellow Chair Foundation (YCF) is a Palo Alto-based family foundation that funds local, national and global organizations working in the areas of educational equity, civil rights, climate change solutions, investigative public journalism, maternal health, and women’s rights.

Overview

YCF seeks a Senior Program Officer, Climate Advocacy and Equity to serve as a dynamic, engaged contributor to the overall efforts of the Foundation, working to develop and implement new approaches to promote equity in the environmental and climate equity sector. The Senior Program Officer’s core responsibilities will include developing and implementing strategies and managing the on-the-ground execution of YCF’s environmental equity work through a variety of programmatic approaches.

Responsibilities

The Senior Program Officer’s core responsibilities include developing and implementing strategies and managing the on-the-ground execution of YCF’s environmental equity work through a variety of programmatic approaches. TheSenior Program Officer, Climate Advocacy and Equity will also help build metrics and mechanisms for continuous improvement within the program, analyzing and evaluating information and situations to strengthen program strategy and increase impact.

Specifically, the Senior Program Officer, Climate Advocacy and Equity will:

• Work with the Founders and Managing Director and the broader YCF team to continue to deepen Climate Advocacy and Equity program strategy that leverages the realities and possibilities of environmental and climate advocacy and the social sector, and applies an equity lens to the grantmaking work
• Engage directly in program activities, including performing due diligence on grant applicants, inviting proposals and preparing docket materials to assist the board in making decisions on prospective grants, and advising the Managing Director and Founders on current and prospective grant applications
• Deepen current and developing relationships with a broad range of public, private, nonprofit, and environmental advocacy partners; work collaboratively to identify strategic approaches for equity in climate-related opportunities and outcomes, becoming a trusted presence in the sector and region
• Continually survey the regional, national, and international landscape to identify emerging innovations, policy opportunities, and trends, furthering partnerships in the portfolio’s area of focus and in philanthropy
• Work with applicants and grantees on all aspects of outreach and the grantmaking process
• Participate in developing methods and systems to assess the impact of grants and programs; review and respond to grantee reports
• Provide thoughtful and relevant support and assistance to prospective and current grantees and partners
• Prepare written materials for senior leadership and Board review
• Collaborate and share information with colleagues within YCF and throughout the Pacific Foundation Services portfolio, as appropriate

Profile of the Successful Candidate

Yellow Chair Foundation seeks a Senior Program Officer, Climate Advocacy and Equity who is a content expert in climate change advocacy and environmental policy. The successful candidate will be curious in nature, analytical in approach, and committed to and knowledgeable about trends in environmental and climate equity funding. The successful candidate will be creative and entrepreneurial, combining a collaborative sensibility and work style with the ability to deliver and execute on innovative ideas and solutions that serve the goals of the portfolio and the entire organization. The successful candidate will be able to deepen YCF’s existing work in environmental advocacy and envision additional avenues for impact.

More specifically, Yellow Chair Foundation seeks a professional who embodies the following:

• Significant work experience in the environmental advocacy sector, preferably in a variety of roles
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in implementing effective strategies for promoting equity in climate and environment related policy
• An existing network in the environmental and climate fields – including leaders, practitioners and funders for equity; the ability to develop partnerships with and learn from other funders
• Knowledge of state, national, and/or international climate advocacy
• Working knowledge of best, promising, and emerging practices and innovations in the climate field regionally and nationally
• Experience with both sides of the grantmaking process
• Comfort working with and representing a quickly growing family foundation, and working closely with staff and board to shape programs and practices
• A willingness to challenge conventional thinking coupled with the ability to collaborate effectively and encourage dialogue
• Thought leadership and the ability to guide the YCF team, Board of Directors, grantees and partners on issues of climate equity
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with an appreciation for and understanding of nonprofit organizations and the infrastructure needed to execute the work
• Outstanding relational, interpersonal, and collaboration skills, both internally and externally, with a coaching style and a learning mentality
• A communication style that reflects clarity, authenticity, transparency, confidence, and approachability, along with the ability to balance different perspectives
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; effective, engaging facilitation and presentation skills
• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially and with discretion

Learn More & Apply!

• Yellow Chair Foundation has exclusively retained The 360 Group of San Francisco to assist with this search.
• Please click "Apply on Company Website" below to review the complete position description, which includes detailed application instructions.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; earlier applicants may receive priority consideration.

Note: To be considered, The 360 Group encourages all interested candidates to submit their applications promptly.