Program Associate

About the Rockefeller Family Fund:

The Rockefeller Family Fund (RFF) is a U.S. based, family-led public charity that initiates, cultivates, and funds strategic efforts to promote a sustainable, just, free, and participatory society. 

Since 1967, RFF has worked at the cutting edge of advocacy in such areas as environmental protection, advancing the economic rights of women, and protecting and sustaining democracy. RFF is known for its creative grantmaking, its role as a catalyst in the nonprofit as well as the funding communities, and its record of public policy innovation. 

Rockefeller Family Fund headquarters is located at 475 Riverside Drive, New York. The staff is currently working remotely. RFF has a shared services agreement with the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), which provides accounting, HR, and other services to RFF. 

Position Summary:

The Rockefeller Family Fund (RFF) is seeking a program associate to provide programmatic support to our Environment program’s accountability work. This individual will report to RFF’s director, Lee Wasserman. This position is exempt and therefore not eligible for overtime. The position is expected to commence in July 2023.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

●    Develop and implement program strategies in collaboration with RFF director.

●    Manage grantees and partners to help implement RFF initiatives and programs.

●    Contribute to development of grantmaking strategy and portfolio.  

●    Lead research projects, including international research projects that may require travel, to aid in the development of program strategies.  

●    Lead special projects as needed.  

●    Assist in tracking program area grantmaking and budgeting. 

●    Assist in tracking lobbying.

●    Develop and prepare general memos, documents, and presentations.  

●    Represent RFF at, and travel to, convenings and meetings with potential partners including funders, researchers, and grantees.  

●    Support the planning and execution of and participate in convenings and meetings with potential partners including funders, researchers, and grantees.  

●    Work across other RFF program areas to advance institutional goals and collaboration. 

●    Other duties as assigned to support the programs.  

Position Qualifications

Skills and Abilities

·      Understanding of federal and state climate policies as well as federal and state climate law & litigation—which includes federal and state judiciaries.

·      Penchant and savviness for political strategy and social advocacy.

·      High level of professionalism in written and verbal communications and ability to work with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. 

·      Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task in a sometimes fast-paced environment with competing deadlines

·      Knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in the use of office computer applications, including G-Suite applications (Slides, Docs, and Sheets) and Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 

·      Sound judgment and discretion.

·      An ability to work independently and in a collaborative setting.

·      Willingness to perform other duties as assigned and to travel. 

Education, Experience and Knowledge

·      BA/BS plus at least 2 years of experience in social justice, advocacy, or environmental work, with a preference for experience in climate policy and/or law.  

·      Master’s Degree preferred. 

Expectations of All Positions

Each employee is expected to:

·      Commit to RFF’s mission and core values of equity, learning, humility, and collaboration.

·      Commit to the work to promote social justice and democracy.

·      Understand and support the philanthropic mission of the RFF.

·      Respect and value those who partner with or request assistance from the RFF. 

·      Manage the resources of the RFF in a manner that maximizes the funds available for charitable activity.

·      Appreciate the value of diversity and equal opportunity in all work relationships. 

·      Respect the contribution of each employee of the RFF and support colleagues in fulfilling their individual responsibilities.

·      Have a demonstrated ability to be a productive member of a community of people at work who respect differences while working toward shared goals, are comfortable with periods of ambiguity, and constructively participate in ongoing organizational development.

·      Appreciate differences in perspectives and points of view and work collaboratively with colleagues toward shared goals and objectives. 

·      Commit time to RFF activities and conversations that strengthen the Fund’s culture and improve its effectiveness.

·      Be flexible and exhibit good judgment and discretion.

Other Requirements

RFF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, RFF will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. 

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Rockefeller Family Fund provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

RFF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. As part of this commitment, RFF will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. 

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

·      Understand and support the philanthropic mission of the RFF.

·      Respect and value those who partner with or request assistance from the RFF.

·      Manage the resources of the RFF in a manner that maximizes the funds.

·      available for charitable activity

·      Appreciate the value of diversity and equal opportunity in all work relationships.

·      Respect the contribution of each employee of the RFF and support colleagues in fulfilling their individual responsibilities.

·      Appreciate differences in perspectives and point of view and work.

·      collaboratively with colleagues toward shared goals and objectives

·      Commit time to RFF activities and conversations that strengthen the Fund’s.

·      culture and improve its effectiveness.