| Position | Program Officer - Land Use Planning & Community Development |
| Date Posted | 25 Mar 2009 |
| Application Deadline | 29 May 2009 |
| Location | New York, USA |
Summary Description
The Program Officer will be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and coordinating grant making activities in the Land Use Planning and Community Development portfolio, which seeks to combine housing and community development finance tools with planning and land management strategies to develop a more powerful approach to urban revitalization, neighborhood stabilization, and affordable housing production. The program strategy within this portfolio is designed to help improve the rules governing affordable housing and community development activities to produce better outcomes for low-income communities and residents. In distressed areas with weak market conditions, the strategy would include reforming governmental and non-profit property management systems to prevent vacant properties from becoming persistent blight. In economically strong communities, efforts would focus more on tools for assembling land and property for affordable housing production in high-opportunity areas. Working closely with the Director and other Program Officers in the Urban Regeneration and Opportunity Unit, the Program Officer will develop grant making and other program activities to implement three strategies to achieve program goals: 1) supporting research and communications efforts to build the case for reforms, 2) fostering a civic network of advocates and stakeholders who will promote improved policies and practices, and 3) deploying finance tools with planning strategies to leverage scarce resources for improved outcomes.
Specifically, the program officer will review the current status of the field, the recently developed program strategy for the Land Use Planning and Community Development portfolio, and the status of the grants in the Foundation’s existing portfolio; formulate plans to implement grant making in the new program strategy; solicit, review, and respond to grant proposals; prepare recommendations for Foundation funding; and work with other Foundation staff to develop learning strategies related to the role of public and private sector policies and practices. The Program Officer will be expected to provide intellectual leadership in the field of community revitalization and to work closely with other Program Officers throughout the Foundation whose work relates to the central mission of the portfolio. The Program Officer also is expected to collaborate broadly with scholars and practitioners, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other donors on issues of common program concern. The program officer will be responsible for negotiating and monitoring Program Related Investments (below-market loans and equity investments) to institutions when they advance the goals of the Land Use Planning and Community Development portfolio.
Qualifications
Significant experience in the field of community development, urban planning, affordable housing and related fields with a combination of research, policy analysis, financial, and implementation experience. Demonstrated capacity to develop innovative land use and affordable housing strategies, substantial experience with policy development, coalition building, project implementation, and a nuanced understanding of racial and class inequities associated with conventional affordable housing development approaches. Excellent analytical, organizational, and oral and written communication skills. A strong desire to achieve impact; a proven track record of achieving change; a clear ability to convene and drive a group to action; and the proven capacity to work in teams is required. An advanced degree in political science, sociology, planning, economics or other relevant field is preferred.
Location: New York, NY
Please send inquiries, nominations, and applications (consisting of resume and cover letter) by May 29, 2009 to Lauren Gumbs at lgumbs@gumbspartners.com
Salary
Salary is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.
Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at the Ford Foundation, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.
Please apply for this position in writing.