Job Description: Democracy & Media Program Associate

Position Overview

Wallace Global Fund’s mission is to support people-powered movements to advance democracy and rights and to fight for a healthy planet. WGF supports non-profit organizations and social movements seeking systemic solutions in four program areas: democracy, environment, corporate accountability, and women’s rights. These programs are fundamentally aligned and interconnected.

The Fund seeks a Program Associate to join the Democracy & Media Program and be part of a dynamic team that is dedicated to catalyzing progressive change across issues. The Associate’s responsibilities will be both programmatic and administrative. This is a substantive opportunity to contribute to the strategic deployment of the Fund’s resources and engage with philanthropic partners and progressive organizations, leaders and movements.

The Program Associate will be based in WGF’s Washington, DC office, and will report to the Democracy & Media Program Director who is based in Brooklyn, NY (with regular visits to the home office). The ideal candidate will be comfortable with a working relationship that includes significant virtual interaction. This is a new position.

Organizational Background

Established in 1995, WGF grew out of the philanthropic endowments of Henry A. Wallace, 33rd Vice President of the United States, co-architect of the New Deal, and former US Secretary of Agriculture under Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Wallace, a progressive committed to empowering people and making democracy work in service of the common good, believed it was critical to fight moneyed elites for control of government and to defend the planet’s precious resources. Today, as a direct result of that legacy, we work with partners and grantees to realize a healthy and sustainable environment, strengthen democracy and human rights, and fight the increasing power and concentration of corporate interests in an era of rising inequality.

To accomplish these goals, we support and partner with non-profit organizations and social movements seeking systemic solutions in four program areas: democracy, environment, corporate accountability, and women’s rights. Additionally, we advance priorities in three “global spotlight” areas: Southern Africa, Energy Access and Justice, and Agroecology. WGF uses all of our assets - grants, investments, networks, and our own advocacy voice - to help amplify the demands of movement partners. In addition to grant-making, we have aligned our investments with our program priorities. WGF has a long history of mission-related investing and impact investing to advance gender, racial, economic, and climate justice.

WGF’s Democracy & Media Program supports movements and organizations dedicated to restoring core democratic values and practices that enable people to raise their civic voices and build progressive power. This program’s grantmaking is largely focused on the US. Strategic program priorities include support for catalytic work to:

·      transform the rigged rules that enable outsized political spending and influence by corporations and other actors;

·      strengthen the pillars of democracy by protecting and expanding participation by under-engaged constituencies and by advancing racial justice; and

·      challenge the concentrated power of technology monopolies that spreads disinformation, threatens human rights, and corrodes democracy.

Position Description

The Program Associate will advance the priorities of WGF broadly and the Democracy & Media program specifically. Responsibilities will encompass programmatic work as well as operational support. There will be significant opportunity for strategic engagement in fields of program interest and networking across the vibrant communities that WGF works with. Initial responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

·      Provide programmatic, grants management, and operational support to the Democracy & Media Program and Program Director.

·      Monitor trends in the field, conduct research and provide summary analysis on existing and emerging priorities and related issues as directed by Democracy & Media Program Director.

·      Prepare analytic and presentation materials related to the Democracy & Media Program and cross-program special initiatives.

·      Participate in and report on briefings, webinars, and conferences on relevant issues. 

·      Collaborate with other WGF staff on cross-program initiatives related to corporate accountability, climate change, and abortion rights.

·      Communicate with grantees, grantseekers, foundation allies, and other organizations.

·      Contribute substantively to WGF social media and support foundation-wide communications needs.

Over time, the Program Associate and the Program Director will work together to identify specific area/s for program leadership for the Associate. As with all WGF employees, the Associate with be responsible for certain administrative activities in support of the Democracy & Media program, such as scheduling calls and meetings and providing logistical support for WGF events and conferences.

Qualifications

The candidate must have at least two years of professional work experience in a related field (such as issue advocacy, voter participation activities, and/or organizing campaigns), a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and a demonstrated commitment to WGF’s progressive mission and organizational values.  

Important qualities include a passion for WGF’s priorities, a keen attention to detail, an ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative environment, and flexibility while maintaining a multi-faceted workflow. The candidate will have strong verbal and written communications skills and an ability to conduct research and provide analysis in a timely manner. We are looking for a self-starter with good humor and excellent interpersonal skills that allow for effective and positive relationships with grantees, partners, and co-workers. Technical proficiency in a variety of systems and willingness to learn are also necessary qualities.

WGF values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, both internally and in our work externally with our grantees and partners.  We actively welcome candidates from a wide range of backgrounds.

Timeframe

This is a new position with an expected timeframe of 2 years.

Compensation

This position offers a salary range of $68,000- $83,000, commensurate with skills and experience, and excellent benefits.

To Apply

All applications are held in strict confidence. Please submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and any relevant experience, a resume, and one writing sample to WallaceGlobalFundjobs@gmail.com. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Application deadline is 7/22/23.