Water Foundation

Program Associate

Remote – Pacific or Mountain Time Zones Preferred

Full Time

The Opportunity

In this position, you will have an opportunity to engage in philanthropy to advance water solutions for the benefit of people and nature. We are committed to both moving resources quickly as opportunities arise and investing to sustain and growing the capacity of the water field over time. Where field partners seek our assistance, and we are uniquely positioned to help, the Water Foundation team enhances our primary funder role by:

• Bolstering the capacity of our partners to build their networks, strengthen their institutions, and access new leadership opportunities.
• Convening diverse leaders to solve difficult challenges, facilitate negotiations, and share expertise and resources.
• Partnering with funders, grantees, researchers, and other experts to design and execute compelling policy campaigns.

The Program Associate will have the opportunity to work on a diverse array of water issues, which may include protecting and restoring rivers, advancing policies that balance water supply and demand, and advancing the needs of historically underserved communities. The Associate will also have the opportunity to work in a variety of different geographies, particularly the western United States. The specific focus of the work will change over time as Water Foundation budgets and program priorities evolve, so we are seeking quick learners curious about a range of topics and places.

The Program Associate will support Program Officers with our grants management process, handle both internal and external communications, coordinate and facilitate meetings, and contribute to and oversee the development of a range of written materials. The ideal candidate will be a skilled project manager with an interest in the role of philanthropy in environmental protection and social justice. S/he will be an excellent communicator—interpersonally and in writing—and will have experience with traditional written and oral presentations as well as social media. S/he will be a strong team player and will place a high value on building relationships and collaborating with a diverse group of colleagues, grantees and other partners. The new Program Associate will report to a Senior Program Officer.

About the Organization

The Water Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropy working to support lasting water solutions for communities, economies, and the environment. The Foundation complements strategic grantmaking with creative field building and engagement with high-level decision makers and community leaders, and helps funders identify and act on opportunities to better manage water.

As a singularly focused water funder, we serve the entire water field, deploying staff expertise to move resources to the groups that can most effectively improve water systems that affect people and nature. The Water Foundation’s partners span a broad spectrum: conservation organizations, agricultural associations, water providers, environmental justice groups, business groups and local, state, and federal agencies. We prioritize securing safe, clean water for people, restoring and sustaining freshwater environments, and building resilience to a changing climate. These three goals are critical to the future of water. In pursuing these goals, the Foundation supports the field in tackling immediate water problems, including polluted drinking water and collapsing ecosystems, in ways that alter system drivers, such as social inequality and outmoded infrastructure.

More information about the Water Foundation can be found at www.waterfdn.org.

Key Responsibilities

The Program Associate will perform the following duties and others as assigned:

Grantmaking and Monitoring (40%)

Coordinate with the program team throughout the grant cycle to:

• Respond to grant seeker inquiries;
• Cultivate relationships with partners, including grantees, funders, and government agencies;
• Review and contribute to grant proposals and reports, and consultant scopes of work;
• Schedule meetings, particularly mid-term grant reviews; and
• Attend relevant online and in-person meetings and conferences.

Program Implementation (40%)

Help the program team ensure effective implementation of key priorities by:

• Supporting outreach and communications;
• Coordinating meetings, including developing agendas and meeting materials;
• Providing logistical support for workshops, tours, and other program-related special events;
• Researching opportunities for innovative policies or practices;
• Reaching out to grantees to help pull together materials for proposals and reports;
• Documenting learning from internal and external meetings; and
• Participating in regular program team meetings and retreats.

General Administration (20%)

• Serve as point of contact for calls, emails and as a general information resource for the program team.
• Manage workflow and logistics for program team meetings and retreats.

Qualifications

We are seeking individuals with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant work experience (required).
• Minimum of three years of work experience.
• Understanding of natural resource issues.
• Organizing and/or outreach experience (desirable).
• Excellent project management, writing, and editing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• High standards for quality, presentation, and confidentiality.
• Patience, grace, and humor under pressure.

Compensation and Location

The Water Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. The starting salary for this position is $70,000-$85,000 depending on experience. The Water Foundation is fully remote, with required in-person staff retreats up to four times a year. We prefer candidates in Pacific or Mountain time zones to facilitate aligned workdays and short travel for in-person gatherings. Regular travel to meetings should also be anticipated.

The Water Foundation strongly encourages people of color, from under-resourced communities, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ to apply. Full Covid-19 vaccination is required.

To apply, please submit an application through our online application form.

This search is being run by NRG Consulting Group. Please contact jobs@nrgconsultinggroup.org with any questions.