Open Position: Program Officer
Location:
Newport Beach, CA
The Successful Candidate ...
- ... will be hard working, have a high energy level and a readiness to take on the challenges of this position, including significant international travel.
- ... enjoys working in a team, sees strength in diversity, and relates well with other members of the staff, Board, and the founders' family.
- ... will have a ‘learning' approach to life.
- ... possesses the ability to capably interact at top levels of a counterpart organization despite potential cross-cultural, age, gender and denominational barriers.
- ... will be someone who has an optimistic bent on life, a sense of humor, and an adventuresome spirit.
- ... will be someone who has God's heart for the people of the Majority World and an appreciation for the calling needed to be effective in the work of First Fruit.
- ... will take a relational approach to the work, valuing those with whom they interact, and treating them with dignity and respect.
- ... should exhibit qualities of a servant leader and bring a "joy in stewardship" (see First Fruit's Core Values).
- ... should consider this a long-term position.
1. Responsibilities
Serving as a member of the program team, this individual will engage in all aspects of the grant making and impact investing process including sourcing projects, performing research and due diligence, writing and editing, and post-grant evaluation. This individual will assist the Executive Director in developing and refining the Foundation's program strategies. This individual will also help maintain and expand First Fruit's extensive network of relationships, will be a skillful coalition-builder, and will consult with grantees on their organizational development needs. At times, this individual will represent First Fruit in outside conferences and forums and will lead or implement a variety of in-house projects.
2. Accountability
Reports to Executive Director of First Fruit.
3. Qualifications
-
Background: This
individual will have demonstrated excellence and leadership in his/her
professional and academic pursuits as well as in his/her faith community. S/he
will bring a depth of perspectives in one or more of the following areas: international
development, missiology, anthropology, sociology, international relations,
public policy, management, and other related fields.
This individual will have a nuanced understanding of different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. Preferably, s/he will have lived and worked in both developing and developed countries and will have fluency or proficiency in more than one language. Priority languages are Mandarin, Hindi and Arabic.
- Skills: This individual should display familiarity and competence in some or all of the following: management/leadership; research methods; writing; strategic thinking and planning; governance; and organizational development.
- Character: This individual will be a mature, engaging Christian who is sensitive to people's needs and possesses a gracious manner. S/he will have an ability to be adaptable to a variety of cross-cultural challenges. This individual will be self-disciplined and well-organized, able to work effectively and independently and must be known for discretion and the ability to keep confidences.
- Temperament: This individual will be willing to work with the staff of the foundation in a close team relationship, unafraid to think and speak independently, but approaching the responsibility as a servant, committed to the mission and philosophy of First Fruit. A creative and innovative approach to thinking will be sought in this candidate as well.
- Travel Requirements: This individual will be based in our Newport Beach office, but will be free and willing to travel internationally up to 20 per cent of the year in order to seek out granting opportunities, do on-site evaluation of projects, attend conferences and conduct meetings on behalf of First Fruit, among other purposes. Some additional domestic travel responsibilities will also be necessary.
First Fruit is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified minority and women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Candidates are invited to send resume and cover letter to jo.whitman@firstfruit.org.
