Position: Program Officer 

Department: Rob Walton Foundation

Reporting to: Executive Director  
Location: Washington, DC

Job Classification: Full-Time; Exempt 

The Rob Walton Foundation is seeking a skilled, highly motivated and entrepreneurial individual to join the team as a Program Officer. The ideal teammate will have the demonstrated ability to support the work of large-scale conservation projects.

About the Position

This year, RWF is working towards the launch of an ambitious new collaboration: the Keystone Protected Area Partnership, which will bring together funders (and innovative finance), governments and NGO operators to safeguard the 162 most important protected areas in Africa—for the benefit of communities and biodiversity.

What you will do

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Officer will support all the work towards a launch of the Keystone Protected Area Partnership. This includes creating business plans, budgets, facilitating large convening at UNGA and other events, conducting (field) research into NGO operators and how they can scale, designing academic research, etc.

Responsibilities  

• Manage relationships with grantees and potential grantees including seeking and performing due diligence on proposals aligned with the Keystone initiative.
• Shepherd proposals through the Foundation’s approval process, as well as provide guidance to and work with grantees to achieve significant impact.
• Assist grantees in developing and implementing maintenance, monitoring, and funding strategies that lead to the achievement of strategic goals.
• Support Executive Director and team with written materials, grantee convenings, and other learning opportunities.
• Manage workflow and processes with grantees.
• Review budgets for appropriate expenditures, review legal documents, monitor grantee operations, review financial and narrative reports and work with our administrative team to ensure timely payments.
• Provide responsive and thoughtful advising to grantees; be proactive in anticipating needs, and provide accurate, timely resolution of issues when they arise.
• Identify potential new partnerships and opportunities including identifying prospective grantees and funding partners.
• Collaborate with RWF and Walton Family Foundation colleagues, including members of the Walton Family Foundation evaluation and communications teams, to implement, refine, and expand the Foundation’s impact.
• Help shape strategy implementation plans.
• Help support other projects and assignments as requested by the Foundation leadership, and/or family members.

Who we are looking for 

Qualifications required for your success 

• A bachelor’s degree; relevant master’s degree or higher preferred.
• At least 5 years of work in a relevant field.
• Excellent written communication skills with experience in producing both brief and longer written products in a timely fashion for internal and external audiences.
• Outstanding verbal communication skills with experience conveying complex issues to internal and external audiences.

Personal attributes that support your success 

• Ability to act as a trusted advisor to principals and colleagues while demonstrating expertise and integrity.
• You are helpful, a team player, and show respect while collaborating with others.
• You are results oriented and exercise sound judgment in your work.
• A lifelong learner who is inquisitive and has the ability to anticipate issues and problems in advance and propose possible solutions with bold thinking and innovation.
• A visionary who plans for the future with imagination and wisdom.
• You are dedicated to achieving excellence and work with others to tackle the tasks at hand. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals for both working internally with Foundation colleagues as well as externally with diverse grantees and partners.
• Ability to give and receive feedback graciously.
• Demonstrated success in building effective relationships and networks to achieve results.
• Intellectual agility and the ability to analyze, think critically, and understand emerging education issues and trends.
• Willingness to travel and equal enthusiasm about building relationships remotely.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States on your first day of work. 

Benefits Information

Compensation Range : $142,000 - $214,000

Benefits Information: We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401 (k) retirement plan and paid time off.  

About the Rob Walton Foundation 

The Rob Walton Foundation (RWF) is committed to preserving nature through supporting large-scale conservation efforts and collaborative partnerships, primarily in Africa. We work with governments, NGOs, and communities to protect critical ecosystems that sustain nature, secure livelihoods, and support community stability.

About Walton Enterprises

Walton Enterprises supports the personal, philanthropic and business activity for the Walton family. We are a family-led organization, supporting multiple generations of Sam & Helen Walton’s family.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

The Rob Walton Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate