The Program Officer serves on the Grants Team and reports to the Director of Grants. Responsible for implementing and managing all aspects of assigned Foundation grantees and informing the team of all information and issues pertinent to the TAJF grantee community as a whole. Interfaces with the communications manager on all public relations specific to assigned grantees and projects. Serves as a key member of the Foundation's Grants Team to implement all aspects of grant-making and monitoring initiatives that result in achieving TAJF’s mission and vision.
Primary Functions
1. Responsible for carrying an assigned portfolio of priority grants, including responding to inquiries from nonprofit organizations regarding the Foundation’s grant-making guidelines, opens applications and requests for proposals; consults with non-profit organizations regarding grant proposals; ensures Foundation guidelines and or initiative requirements are met; and provides assistance to grant seeker and grant recipient organizations, as necessary, to direct them to other resources for organizational development, funding program ideas, etc. including making general presentations to groups of nonprofit organizations.
2. Reviews all assigned letters of inquiry and full proposals for all required information; conducts additional research into the relevant client population, substantive legal area and/or nonprofit organization as needed; conducts site visits and participates in interviews for assigned proposals; prepares proposal analysis including written summaries and recommendations for review and action by the Foundation Board.
3. Develops reports of aggregate evaluation results to communicate the Foundation’s impact on low income Texans; monitors paper and computer grant files for completeness, accuracy, and current information; maintains statistical information regarding grant-making activity; monitors implementation of each grant by requesting and reviewing all evaluative information obtained; conducts site visits to a representative number of grant recipients each year.
4. Develops and maintains contact with organizations; supports leadership initiatives developed and coordinated by the Grants Team; keeps abreast of emerging issues both locally and nationally; works with external groups as necessary to round out knowledge and nurture key relationships throughout the legal aid community.
5. Perform other responsibilities as required.
JD and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the legal aid community required, preferably managerial experience. Grant-making experience preferred; desire to work in and with nonprofit sector is essential.
Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; proven ability to be flexible in a team-oriented approach with diverse groups of people. Strong written and oral communication skills. Strong analytic and problem-solving skills. Knowledge of program evaluation and communicating impact. Excellent planning, organizational, multi-task and time management skills. Proven ability to efficiently and effectively handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Must be able to travel extensively throughout the state.