[game_edu] program officer position at macarthur

[drew davidson]

hi all - apologies for the cross-postings... but thought there might  
be people interested in this opportunity at macarthur (more info  
below...     thanks, drew



The MacArthur Foundation

Position Description



Job Title:  Program Officer, Digital Media and  
Learning                           FLSA:  Exempt Position



Program/Dept: Human and Community Development Reports To: Director,  
Education




General Summary

The Program Officer will work with colleagues and the Director of  
Education on all aspects of the Foundation’s grantmaking in digital  
media and learning, which aims to determine how digital media are  
changing the way young people learn, play, socialize and participate  
in civic life, and to understand the significant implications for the  
formal and informal institutions of education—schools, libraries, and  
museums among them—that those changes entail. The Program Officer will  
be responsible for managing grantmaking activities in this area, and  
will design and refine grantmaking strategies, identify prospective  
grant recipients, review and evaluate proposals, and prepare grant  
briefs; manage complex program elements; monitor grantee performance  
and grant strategy implementation; represent the Foundation at program- 
related meetings and conferences; plan and convene meetings related to  
grantmaking; and keep abreast of current issues in the field.

MacArthur grantmaking in education explores one of the most  
significant forces shaping student learning and educational  
experiences in and out of school in the 21st century— rapidly-evolving  
new technologies, including digital media. Through research,  
demonstrations, and innovations in schools, libraries, museums and  
other institutions, the Foundation is helping to build a new  
interdisciplinary field at the intersection of digital media and  
learning. Grants are provided to scholars, educators, designers and  
practitioners to explore the hypothesis that digital media are  
changing how young people think, learn, interact, confront ethical  
dilemmas and engage in civic life, and that there are significant  
implications for the formal and informal institutions—schools,  
libraries, and museums among them—that contribute to the education of  
American youth.

This role offers a good opportunity for an experienced professional  
who is interested in exploring an opportunity that brings together  
interests in research, learning, and youth development, with a  
specific emphasis on the role of digital media.

Essential Responsibilities And Duties

1.     Implement and adapt grantmaking strategies as conditions change.

2.     Assist in the design and implementation of new initiatives.

3.     Work with prospective grantees to develop proposals that  
advance grantmaking strategies.

4.     Evaluate letters of inquiry and grant proposals, conduct  
background research and due diligence, prepare grant recommendations  
for funding and responses to unsuccessful proposals.

5.     Manage a caseload of active grants, review periodic reports,  
and maintain accurate records and constructive contact with grantees.

6.     Keep abreast of current events, developments and issues in the  
field to maintain a balanced and objective perspective and approach to  
grantmaking.

7.     Build and sustain relationships with leaders and others in the  
field.

8.     Oversee and help manage the digital media and learning website  
and blog.

9.     Represent the Foundation at conferences and other public  
events, including as keynote speaker or panel participant

Other Responsibilities And Duties

1.     Serve on internal Foundation Committees from time to time.

2.     Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

The Program Officer role requires graduate training and experience as  
a researcher or designer, with a strong grasp of research and  
theoretical literature relating to learning, adolescent development  
and new media, and practical, “on-the-ground” experience with youth,  
in libraries and museums or schools. He or she must be familiar with  
significant thought leaders and national organizations in the field,  
and to be a respectful, collaborative colleague who can build bridges  
and actively engage diverse staff members, designers, entrepreneurs,  
youth practitioners, policymakers, and especially researchers in  
productive, vigorous debate. The Program Officer must have strong  
interpersonal skills and be able to function as part of an  
interdisciplinary team, and to work across disciplines and sectors in  
a rigorous environment of thoughtful intellectual exchange.

Excellent analytical and communications skills, including writing,  
presentations and public speaking, are required.  Other essential  
skills include: effective interpersonal relations and an ability to  
organize and convey problems and issues clearly and succinctly; an  
ease with and openness to people who hold diverse views; and a good  
sense of organization and talent for managing multiple tasks with  
significant initiative.  The Program Officer should be self-confident,  
collegial, and diplomatic, and have an appreciation of the role of a  
grantmaking institution. Computer literacy is a prerequisite for  
consideration, including a high level of comfort with “do-it-yourself  
media.”

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Office environment.  Intermittent physical activities required that  
include bending, reaching, sitting and walking during working hours.   
Local and national travel required. Reasonable accommodations may be  
made to enable a person with physical disabilities to perform the job.

Application

To apply, candidates should visit www.macfound.org and click on “About  
the Foundation” and then “Career Opportunities”.  (Electronic  
Submissions are preferred.)   Application deadline: TBD  No phone  
inquiries, please.

The Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and benefits from the  
various perspectives and talents of a racially and culturally diverse  
staff.


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