JOB TITLE: Organizational Effectiveness Research Associate
LOCATION: San Francisco, CA
FULL/PART TIME: Full-time
REGULAR/TEMPORARY: Appointment for one year with potential to renew
EXEMPT/NON-EXEMPT: Exempt
BACKGROUND
The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation is focused on advancing a productive, vibrant, and sustainable California. Because California faces many challenges that need attention now, the Board of Directors decided to invest all of the Foundation’s resources by 2020 in order to spur significant, meaningful change — sooner rather than later.
The Foundation’s two program areas are Education and Environment. The Education Program works in the areas of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and Character in both in school and out-of-school settings. The Environment Program includes Water and Land sub-programs. In each of these arenas, the Foundation hopes to leave stronger fields, anchored by enduring, well-run organizations and supported by research and evaluation findings that enhance understanding of effective policy and practice.
The Foundation’s Organizational Effectiveness team serves as an internal consulting unit, working with Program teams on grantmaking strategies and practices and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, innovation, and strategic risk-taking.
The OE Research Associate will report to the Director of Organizational Effectiveness and work primarily on grant monitoring and evaluation, grantee capacity-building, and documenting the Foundation’s spend-down process.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The OE Research Associate will serve as an internal resource on projects that enhance grantmaking effectiveness and impact. S/he will:
Support program staff in analyses of closed grants and cluster reviews to draw lessons from past grantmaking.
Support grant monitoring and evaluation including review of narrative and financial reports and preparation of written analyses.
Collaborate with the OE and Program teams to support grantee capacity building efforts as assigned.
Support the OE Director in the development and enhancement of tools for effective grantmaking to be shared with the field.
Assist in the development of reports and updates to the Foundation’s Management and Board, as requested.
Plan and manage meetings, including logistics.
Stay current on topics related to philanthropy and nonprofit organizational effectiveness.
Other projects as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Bachelor’s degree and 2 years relevant experience required.
Analytical and structured thinker with the ability to spot patterns and synthesize inputs from multiple sources; able to distill high-level visions into concrete action items and deliverables.
Strong project management skills.
Creative and skillful in organizing and presenting data.
Excellent research and writing skills.
Customer service orientation; excellent interpersonal skills; able to work well independently and with a diverse team.
Advanced in Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent time management skills, results-oriented and able to prioritize and manage multiple projects concurrently.
Integrity, good judgment, flexibility and a sense of humor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
A candidate must have the ability to communicate clearly through both oral and written means and to sit for extended periods both in meetings and at a computer.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
A competitive compensation package is available, including a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, and a comprehensive benefits package.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please submit a cover letter and resume to SDBJrRecruiter@sdbjrfoundation.org by April 24, 2015 with the words “OE Research Associate Application” in the subject line.
Please provide all information electronically, no phone calls.