Program Associate, Sector Effectiveness and Learning and Evaluation

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, SECTOR EFFECTIVENESS AND LEARNING AND EVALUATION 

About the Barr Foundation 

The Barr Foundation’s mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. As stewards, Barr nurtures vital community assets. As catalysts, the Foundation advances breakthrough ideas to shape our collective future. We work in partnership with nonprofits, foundations, the public sector, and civic and business leaders to elevate the arts and creative expression, advance solutions for climate change, and connect all students to success in high school and beyond. Based in Boston, Barr focuses regionally and selectively engages nationally. 

Founded in 1997, Barr has grown to become one of the largest private foundations in New England and has contributed over $1 billion to charitable causes. With assets over $2.5 billion, Barr’s 2023 grantmaking budget is $140 million. We focus our grantmaking on arts and creativity, climate, and education – complemented by grants to strengthen New England’s social sector and targeted special initiatives. 

A set of core values defined by our founding trustees express our beliefs about what constitutes effective philanthropy and guide how the Barr Foundation carries out its mission. Barr is committed to strive for impact, act with humility, invest in leaders, take the long view, center racial equity, embrace risk, and demonstrate curiosity. These values also 

guide our hiring process and the workplace culture that we shape together. We aim to make Barr an inclusive workplace where all team members can bring their full and authentic selves and be supported to learn and grow. 

For more information about Barr, visit barrfoundation.org and our LinkedIn page.  

About the Sector Effectiveness and Learning and Evaluation Teams 

Sector Effectiveness 

Launched in 2016, Barr’s Sector Effectiveness (SE) grantmaking aims to support and strengthen the impact of the social sector, across New England with a focus in Massachusetts, acting as a complement to the Foundation’s core programs. We define the social sector as the fabric of nonprofit organizations, community and civic leaders, and philanthropic entities that work for change across the region, and we focus on three strategic levers , deploying approximately $7 million in grantmaking resources annually:  

• Leadership: A core value of the Foundation, we aim to cultivate, recognize, and support effective, equitable leadership that is representative of the diversity of communities in Massachusetts. This includes the Barr Fellowship program. 
• Decision Making and Policy: We seek to support policy discussion on critical issues that is informed by rigorous, credible research and analysis and robust public engagement. 
• Sector Infrastructure: We embrace our responsibility to support vital organizations focused on the overall health, effectiveness, and resilience of the social sector. 

Learning and Evaluation 

Barr’s Learning and Evaluation (L&E) team supports strategic learning and evaluation across the Foundation’s program areas. We collaborate- with program staff in Arts & Creativity, Climate, Education, and special initiatives such as Waterfront and Racial Wealth Equity to shape and implement strategic approaches to learning and evaluation and connect learning to strategy. Learning and evaluation work at Barr aims to produce relevant and actionable insights to support foundation and grantee learning and advance understanding in our fields. 

About the Program Associate Position 

The Barr Foundation is seeking a program associate to provide programmatic and administrative support to members of the Sector Effectiveness and Learning and Evaluation teams. Though each team has specific focuses and responsibilities, they work closely together and two staff members, including this role, span both teams. Both teams report to the Vice President for Strategy and Programs. 

The SE team manages the grantmaking, external relationships, research, and convening to advance its strategic goals that contribute to a vibrant, healthy sector. The team strives to collaborate with other Barr program teams in identifying key issues and sharing learning and resources. In addition to this Program Associate role, the SE team includes one full-time staff member and one staff person shared with L&E.  

In collaboration with Barr program teams, the L&E team manages the research and data analysis, facilitation, and internal and external relationships required to implement strategic learning activities that inform internal decision-making, gauge progress, and advance field knowledge. This team also manages a small number of grants supporting field building and important L&E partner organizations. In addition to this Program Associate role, the L&E team includes two full-time staff members and one staff member shared with SE. 

This position reports to the Vice President for Strategy and Programs.  

The ideal candidate must be highly organized and self-motivated, with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and manage workloads across multiple workstreams and staff members. Proven written, computer and data analysis, communication and interpersonal skills to manage relationships with a broad range of people and organizations are essential. This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package. 

Key Responsibilities 

Grantmaking and Project Management Support 

• Work with both SE and L&E team members to review inquiries and proposals in each program area.  
• Support SE and L&E team members in reviewing new proposals and conducting the appropriate due diligence. Review proposal budgets, workplans and anticipated project outcomes as related to proposal goals and institutional capability. 
• Draft grant recommendations and create internal document templates needed for the board book for team review. 
• Under the guidance of the SE senior program officer and learning officer, monitor grant activities and follow up with grantees as needed, providing assistance as appropriate. 
• Under the guidance of the SE senior program officer, support project management related to the Barr Fellowship, including program activities for Fellows, consulting relationships, contracts and other related internal operations.
• Assist SE and L&E team members with reviewing grant reports and evaluations and track required grantee documentation.
• Conduct research and data analysis on grantmaking, potential funding initiatives, or special projects, particularly in support of learning and evaluation activities and priorities.
• Support both teams’ projects such as requests for proposals, organization of proposal submissions, and related research.
• Work with both teams to evaluate grants, grant clusters, and/or the Fellowship in support of program strategy reviews. 
• Engage in special projects as directed by the SE and L&E teams. 

Process and Operations 

• Coordinate with Grants Management staff as well as support the SE and L&E teams and potential grantees in the application, monitoring and recordkeeping associated with the grantmaking process and its related systems.  
• Produce high quality, timely grant materials. 
• Support both teams to track and meet all internal deadlines, demonstrating strong project management skills. 
• Support SE and L&E team members to plan and implement grantee and Fellowship convenings and meetings.
• Support each team and their leaders in managing their budgets and operations. 
• Conduct data analysis (e.g. descriptive statistics in Excel) and data management for use in internal L&E projects.
• Support knowledge management for SE & L&E resources, including internal resources for staff and external resources maintained by L&E such as the Barr Knowledge Center.
• Develop and manage contracts as appropriate.
• Support high quality relationship management with external consultants.
• Other responsibilities as assigned. 

Desired Qualities, Experiences, and Competencies 

• A passion for and basic knowledge of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector and familiarity with the basic operations of nonprofit organizations. 
• A commitment to advancing racial equity and inclusion in your work and in our workplace. 
• A collegial spirit in sharing ideas and receiving feedback.
• Ability to work well independently, as part of a team, and with diverse communities.
• Ability to produce effective and clear writing; excellent editing and proofreading skills. 
• Effective communication and presentation skills, particularly in communicating with diverse constituencies in a variety of settings. 
• Quantitative and financial literacy, and comfort working with many different types of administrative data.;
• Demonstrated ability to identify, collect, organize and synthesize information from various data sources.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct basic data analysis and manage data and charts in software such as Excel. .
• Self-motivated, with strong problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail,; and ability to track and meet multiple deadlines.
• Detailed knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, Google applications, and other technology; experience with project management tools like Asana and database systems such as Salesforce is a plus.
• 2-4 years of relevant work experience; nonprofit or philanthropic organizations is a plus.
• A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience and demonstrated work preparation, is required 

Compensation and Benefits 

Barr is an equal opportunity employer, with a commitment to building and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We welcome candidates who would both contribute to and value working in such an environment.  

The starting salary range for this role is $65,000 to $73,000 and the starting salary will be determined by factors including experience, readiness for the role, and organizational equity. The Barr Foundation offers an attractive benefits package including generous health, dental, vision, and life insurance; strong retirement savings program; 15 vacation days to start and a parental leave and health leave policies.  

Barr is a Compact Signer for the 100% Talent Compact, which is administered by the Boston Women’s Workforce Council, a unique public-private partnership between the Boston Mayor’s Office and Greater Boston employers dedicated to eliminating the gender and racial wage gap. We are proud to be part of this first-in-the-nation approach to reaching pay equity for women and people of color across our region. 

Flexible Work Environment 

The Barr Foundation embraces a hybrid workplace that seeks to balance time in the office with colleagues, time in the community, and remote work. Located along the waterfront in Boston’s North End, Barr’s offices are in the historic Pilot House and adjacent Two Atlantic Avenue. Our walls and halls feature the work of living, contemporary artists, and the office space is designed to provide bright, open, flexible spaces for collaboration and independent work, and to host meetings and events. With expansive views of Boston Harbor, Barr is steps away from Boston’s “Freedom Trail” and bike share and near to restaurants, shops, museums, and parks. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement   

All current Barr employees are required to be vaccinated (including booster) for COVID-19, and we will require any new employees to be fully vaccinated by date of hire as well, absent a medical or religious accommodation as approved by the Vice President, HR Operations and Shared Services. 

How to Apply  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with applications encouraged by May 8, 2023.