Full-Time Evaluation and Learning Officer
Job Description
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation seeks an Evaluation and Learning Officer to lead and support activities that meet evaluation and learning needs for the Foundation and its various programs. The Evaluation and Learning Officer works closely with the Evaluation and Learning Manager to promote an organizational learning culture, improve Foundation effectiveness, and help programs obtain better results.
We are a family foundation that is guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Lucile and David Packard, who helped found one of the world’s leading technology companies. Their approach to business and community participation has guided our philanthropy for more than 50 years. Today, their children and grandchildren continue to help guide the work of the Foundation. The Foundation makes grants at the local, state, national, and international level. We are located in Los Altos, CA.
The Foundation works on the issues their founders cared about most, which are improving the lives of children; enabling the creative pursuit of science; advancing reproductive health; conserving and restoring the earth’s natural systems; and supporting and strengthening an array of local nonprofit organizations. A staff of 120 conducts the day-to-day operations and a Board of Trustees oversees the work of the Foundation. For 2016, the Foundation expects to make grantmaking awards of over $300 million. David and Lucile Packard passed on to the Foundation the following core set of values: integrity; respect for all people; belief in individual leadership; commitment to effectiveness; and the capacity to think big.
Evaluation and Learning Department
The Foundation has a strong commitment to learning and improvement in service of increased impact. The following principles guide the Foundation’s evaluation and learning work:
• Striving to improve an endeavor by gathering good feedback and taking corrective action to pursue the goal
• Working in a cooperative spirit with our grantees
• Collaborating with our grantees to maximize the usefulness and learning of evaluation and minimize its burdens
The Evaluation and Learning Team provides support to the Foundation’s programs to meet their evaluation and monitoring needs; develops and maintains tools to enable ongoing assessment and adaptation; and facilitates organizational learning.
The Evaluation and Learning function at the Foundation works within Program Services, a staff group representing different areas of expertise who work collaboratively with program staff to achieve the most effective and efficient use of Foundation resources. Program Services’ expertise includes evaluation and learning, communications, and organizational effectiveness.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Evaluation and Learning Manager, specific responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:
• Promote ongoing development and sharing of knowledge to further learning for the Foundation and our stakeholders
• Advise program staff on linking program learning work with ongoing program planning and improvement in a strategic manner
• Bring best practices in learning to the Foundation and help Foundation staff build their skills
• Promote ongoing development and sharing of knowledge to further learning for the Foundation and our stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with staff from other foundations, consultants, and thought leaders
• Provide support to grantees in their efforts to promote learning and knowledge management
• Work with Organizational Effectiveness, Finance, Communications, and Human Resources teams as needed to advance Foundation evaluation and learning goals from work areas listed above
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, solve problems and motivate action; sense of curiosity and commitment to continuous learning; entrepreneurial and flexible
• Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to cultivate trusting working relationships. Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and interests
• Strong facilitation and group process skills. Able to productively shape dialogues, convene, and participate in groups and manage conflicts
• Energetic and articulate. Excellent written, verbal, and demonstrated presentation communication skills. Can make effective recommendations and engage and communicate with clarity and diplomacy
• Excellent project management and organizational skills. Good judgment with a high degree of attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to meet deadlines and independently follow through
• Strong technical skills in interpreting and using data and research findings. Intermediate skills with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Web-based platforms for communications and coordination; ability to learn databases
• Administratively self-sufficient
• Has a sense of humor and works with grace under pressure
• Able to travel on an occasional basis in the U.S. and internationally
Education and Work Experience
• Advanced degree or equivalent education and work experience in related field such as psychology, sociology, behavioral sciences, public health, or public policy
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on experience with adult learning work experience, learning development, knowledge management, strategy, including experience with a variety of learning techniques, developing insight that informs strategy, action, and improvement
• Experience working with foundations, knowledge of or experience with one or more of the Packard Foundation’s major programmatic areas and experience working internationally desired
Physical Requirements
Candidate must have the ability to communicate via voice telephone, read and understand written communication, and generate written communication manually and using a computer. Candidate must also be able to work at a desk for long periods of time (2-3 hours), lift and move documents and supplies (not to exceed 25 lbs.), and bend to file or retrieve documents.
Benefits and Compensation
The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with related work experience. The position is located in downtown Los Altos, CA and is full-time and exempt.