Title: Associate Program Officer, Smart Chicago

Reports to: Smart Chicago Executive Director

The Chicago Community Trust is seeking an Associate Program Officer to join the Smart Chicago Collaborative. As a significant new center of gravity for civic leadership and investments, Smart Chicago will build long-term capacity to help Chicago and its neighborhoods realize the transformative potential of information technology. Structured as a donor advised fund, Smart Chicago will cultivate broad civic support and raise and invest funds to support innovative programs and policy change efforts. Smart Chicago is governed by an Advisory Committee composed of its founders—the City of Chicago, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Trust—with guidance from an Advisory Committee of local and national civic leaders and technology experts. Smart Chicago is a staffed initiative housed at The Chicago Community Trust.

Job Purpose:

The Associate Program Officer assists in developing, implementing and evaluating Smart Chicago's programmatic strategies by recommending and monitoring a portfolio of grants, providing active project management support, assisting with fundraising activities and serving as a representative to the community.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Leadership
• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of program initiatives as set forth in the strategic plan
• Develop knowledge about and remain current with Smart Chicago's program areas as well as community issues, needs and organizations within Smart Chicago's areas of interest
• Attend and participate in operations meetings and staff quarterly Advisory Committee meetings
• Work cooperatively with staff of The Chicago Community Trust, City of Chicago and other partners
• Assist the Executive Director with fundraising activities
• Attend and participate in programs, activities and training sessions that foster professional growth and an increased awareness of community
• Conduct research on issues or concerns of importance to Smart Chicago and present findings in written and oral formats, as directed by the Executive Director.

Program Management
• Review and maintain a portfolio of letters of inquiry, follow up on invitations for proposal submission and provide guidance to grant seekers regarding proposal submission
• Monitor grants from proposal approval through close of grant records to ensure compliance with terms of the grant, including review of grant agreements, progress reports, results and payment requests. Respond to grant recipient requests for information
• Serve as manager and key point of contact for several major initiatives underway: Sustainable Broadband Adoption, Public Computer Centers and Chicago Learning Network
• Carry out program evaluation as assigned, using the designated performance measurement tools
• Create reports analyzing and describing grant performance and project outcomes
• Manage consultant contracts on an as-needed basis

Proposal Review
• Analyze and evaluate proposals including consideration of need, costs, capacity of organization, financial position, program outcomes and impact, usually requiring multiple site visits, reference checks and other due diligence
• Use designated formats to write up an analysis and recommendation for review by the Executive Director and consideration by the Executive Subcommittee and Advisory Committee

Community Engagement/Representation
• Represent Smart Chicago to current and potential grant recipients at civic and community meetings and events
• Initiate conversations with community partners to develop and respond to new project ideas
• Organize and participate in Smart Chicago gatherings

Communications
• Provide information on grants, organizations, and issues in the field(s) of expertise for the purpose of media and public relations
• Assist with content development and editing for newsletters, published reports, press releases and Web materials
• Work with grant recipients to generate appropriate recognition for Smart Chicago support and ensure alignment with branding and identity standards

This description should not be construed to contain every function or responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job. Incumbents are required to perform other related functions as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in public policy or public administration preferred
• Minimum of three to five years of related experience
• Excellent communication skills: written, verbal and presentation
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to synthesize large amounts of information
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask and prioritize
• Experience in one or more of the following program areas preferred: information technology, digital training, community and economic development, program evaluation
• Familiarity with metropolitan Chicago, its communities, neighborhoods and community organizations

Interested individuals should submit resume, cover letter, salary history and names of references to
Please enter the job title of the position that you are applying for in the subject header of the email.

Posting Date: July 15, 2011

Deadline: August 11, 2011