Program Officer - Burgess Group - New York, NY

The Organization:

Established in 1936, our client, the Foundation, is a major private non-profit institution dedicated to the public well-being. It seeks to identify and contribute to the solution of problems of national and international importance. The Foundation’s purpose for over half a century has been to be a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide. Its goals are to: strengthen democratic values; reduce poverty and injustice; promote international cooperation; and advance human achievement.

Through its thematic program categories, the Foundation grants funds to institutions, enterprises and sometimes individuals as a means of accomplishing its philanthropic objectives.

The trustees of the Foundation set policy and delegate authority to the president and senior staff for the Foundation’s grant making and operations. Program officers in New York, and in offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America, explore opportunities to pursue the Foundation’s philanthropic goals, formulate strategies and recommend proposals for funding.

Responsibilities:

Working with the Director of Media, Arts and Culture (MAC) team and other Foundation staff, the Program Officer will be responsible for developing, monitoring, and evaluating the Foundation’s US programming in public service media with a primary focus on news, public affairs and journalism. The Purpose of this work shall be consonant with the Foundation’s mission statement, Knowledge, Creativity and Freedom (KC&F) values of identity, community and creativity, and the unit’s goal to advance media, technology, information resources and policies to strengthen diverse communities and promote democratic values. The position will have several major responsibilities with respect to shaping the Foundation’s work in this area. Building on the knowledge gained from the Foundation’s lines of work in public service media, the Program Officer will reshape and further develop current initiatives that strengthen investigative and in-depth reporting and newsroom diversity; build capacity of community; ethnic and independent media with a special emphasis on financing and infrastructure issues; increase public engagement and media outreach; and strengthen public service media systems. The program officer will also develop a parallel initiative focusing on news media overseas, partnering with Program Officers in offices around the world. Convening technical assistance and capacity building will be used as supporting measures. Individuals with knowledge, interest and experience in journalism and its application in multiple media platforms are encouraged to apply.

The Program Officer will develop grant making strategies; identify prospective grantees; solicit, review and respond to grant proposals; and prepare recommendations for Foundation funding. The Program Officer will also collaborate especially with other colleagues and in the Foundation’s other programs and overseas offices to advance a worldwide agenda around the Foundation’s goals in the Media, Arts and Culture fields.

Qualifications:

An advanced degree in journalism, and/or communications and media, or equivalent experience is required. Substantial professional experience with journalism, public interest media production, distribution and exhibition systems and institutions, including interactive media, in the United States. Substantial experience with issues related to diversifying staffing and programming is also important. Interest in and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues both in the U.S and overseas, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, and Russia. Superior analytical skills and the capacity to write and speak effectively.

Preferred Qualifications:

Interest in working collaboratively and through teams; familiarity and/or experience with business planning and other national media systems overseas.

Location:

New York, NY USA

Salary:

Salary is based on experience and the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is included.

Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at the Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

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