Program Officer, Expanding Community Rights over Natural Resources
| Date Posted | 31 January 2012 |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | 12 March 2012 |
| Location | Beijing, China Find out more about our work in China |
Summary Description
The Program Officer will develop, monitor, and coordinate grant-making that enhances community access to natural resources in fragile environments in China, particularly among communities in Western China. The goals of this Foundation-wide program are to give poor and marginalized groups greater control over natural resources, and to ensure that government investments in natural resources respond to local needs. The assumption underlying the program is that communities and natural resources are both well served when communities in environmentally sensitive areas have a stake in decisions affecting their lives and livelihoods. In China, these goals are pursued through a number of approaches including research, communications, community participation, education, and government engagement at all levels.
Under the supervision of the Foundation’s Representative for China, in Beijing, and the Director of the Expanding Community Rights over Natural Resources Unit (based in New York), the Program Officer will review the existing portfolio and will formulate grant-making strategies considering developments in this field and the program internationally as well as local developments in China related to community resettlement programs, grazing bans, land parcelization as well as the impact of alternative land uses including mining, and public investment through payment for environmental services and poverty alleviation programs. Grant-making would be advanced through a gender lens that took account of the household as well as the wider economies of resource-dependent communities. Grant-making and related activities will build research and educational capacity, expand domestic networks focused on natural resources, plan innovative communications strategies, and develop pilot projects that have the potential to be taken to scale with government assistance. The Program Officer will work in partnership with key research institutes, community organizations and government agencies in developing the program.
More specifically, the Program Officer would solicit, review, and respond to grant proposals, and prepare recommendations for Foundation funding. S/he will provide intellectual leadership in the field and collaborate broadly with scholars, practitioners, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other donors. In addition, the Program Officer will contribute to the attainment of the office's Field Office Program Strategy, which aims to assist disadvantaged people and communities to access the different resources they need to participate fully as equal partners in China’s rapid development. The Program Officer will also collaborate with colleagues in the Foundation's other offices to advance a worldwide agenda around the Foundation's goals in the Natural Resources and Sustainable Development unit.
Qualifications
Significant professional experience working with a broad range of public sector and civil society programs in poverty alleviation, community development, and environmental work or a related field is required. Direct work experience with development programs or resource-dependent community issues is desirable, as is experience with innovative communications programs. A demonstrated ability to conceptualize programmatic ideas and strategies, carry out policy analysis and develop working relations with key stakeholders is essential. A demonstrated capacity to interpret institutional, social and cultural dynamics in the China context is required, in addition to excellent analytical, organizational, and facilitation skills, and fine oral and written communication skills in English and Mandarin. Strong networking capabilities, including a clear ability to convene and to build lasting partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions, researchers, community-based organizations and other agencies are desirable. Grant-making experience is an advantage. A demonstrated commitment to collaboration, evidence of effective accomplishment as part of a team, and a graduate degree in a related field are also required.
Salary
is based on experience and on the Foundation’s commitment to internal equity. A generous benefits package is provided.
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