Steans Economic Opportunity-Policy 3.10.24 - Flipbook - Page 4
POSITION SUMMARY
The Program Of昀椀cer reports to
the Director of Policy and supports a portfolio of work focused
on economic opportunity and
housing policy. The Program
Of昀椀cer will source opportunities
in these issue areas and manage the grantmaking process,
including proposal review,
diligence, and oversight of the
portfolio. The Program Of昀椀cer,
in consultation with the Director
of Policy, will also shape the
strategy and direction of the
Foundation’s policy work in Economic Opportunity and Housing.
The Program Of昀椀cer is expected to develop key relationships with grantees, public of昀椀cials, policymakers, etc.; to stay
abreast of policy developments
at the federal, state, and local
level; and to broker strategic
partnerships to drive the work
forward and accomplish policy
goals. The Program Of昀椀cer
will work closely with program
staff on the Foundation’s placebased teams—North Lawndale and North Chicago—so
as to align and collaborate on
cross-cutting work. The Program Of昀椀cer also contributes
to the ongoing development of
Foundation communications,
operations, and data systems
to support an organizational
culture of mutual support and
continuous learning and improvement.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
n Manages the Policy & Ecosystem grantmaking portfolio
focused on Economic Oppor-
tunity, inclusive of issue areas
such as public bene昀椀ts/safety
net access, housing, wealth
building, economic opportunity,
and community organizing
n Leads the ongoing strategic
development for increasing impact in the Economic Opportunity area of giving, in alignment
with the strategic plan
n Operates closely and in
coordination with the North
Lawndale and North Chicago
programs teams to understand
policy barriers and opportunities
in those communities and develops strategies to address them
n Engages with community-based organizations, as appropriate, to understand policy
barriers and opportunities in
communities and to collaborate
on campaigns
n Maintains up-to-date
knowledge of the federal, state,
and local economic opportunity/housing policy context and
continually builds subject matter expertise for the Economic
Opportunity issue area, and
represents the Foundation at
appropriate policy tables
n Reviews grant application materials and reports
including analyzing organization and program goals,
outcomes, measures, budgets
and 昀椀nancial data, and other
relevant information; drafts
grant reviews and recommendations; conducts site visits;
communicates clearly with
funded grantees as well as organizations that do not receive
support
n Regularly communicates
with grantees and partners to
monitor success of existing
grantees and projects and
identi昀椀es additional supports
or opportunities to strengthen
initiatives
n Builds relationships that
enhance the Foundation’s
knowledge, partnerships, and
ability to sense strategic opportunities or barriers across a
range of issues, environments,
and communities
n Collaborates cross-departmentally to help identify policy
priorities