POSITION  DESCRIPTION
 
ORGANIZATION:              The Atlantic Philanthropies
 
POSITION:                           Advocacy Associate
 
REPORTS TO:                     Advocacy Director/Advocacy Executive
 
LOCATION:                         New York
 
DATE:                                    January 2009
 

Job Purpose
 
The Advocacy Associate coordinates and manages the administrative needs of the Advocacy Director and Advocacy Executives and is expected to anticipate and address the needs and actions that will be important to the effective execution of the Advocacy Director’s and Advocacy Executive’s roles and responsibilities.  S/he may organize and coordinate administrative resources on a cross-functional basis.  Responsibilities will include basic tasks essential to the effective running of the office as appropriate.
 
In addition, the Advocacy Associate will assist the Advocacy Director and Executive in substantive trainings, reviews, and other activities associated with the work of the Advocacy team.
 
Other Key Relationships
 
Programme Associates, Communications staff, Strategic Learning and Evaluation staff, and Grants Management staff
 
Key Responsibilities – Programme Investments
 
·         The Advocacy Associate will maintain a commitment to Atlantic’s purpose, values, strategy – in word and deed
·         Supports Advocacy Director and Advocacy Executive including research and liaison with internal and external third parties involved in evaluation or programme strategies
·         Collaborates and coordinates work with others – fostering group efficiency, effectiveness and ownership for successful performance
·         Manages ongoing relationship with grantees regarding scheduling payments and reporting requirements
·         Joins the Director of Advocacy and the Advocacy Executive as requested in conversations with potential and existing grantees
·         Reviews concept papers or preliminary grant proposals and prepares summary reports
·         Ensures that grant reports and other materials from grantees comply with the organization’s grant guidelines
·         Work with Advocacy Director and Advocacy Executive in the development and implementation of advocacy training
·         Plans and schedules workflow to ensure smooth co-ordination between relevant parties
·         Prepares draft Grant Recommendation Summary (GRS) for review by the Advocacy Executive
·         Ensures accurate data are maintained on the grants administration database
·         Monitors and tracks grants to ensure compliance with all financial, legal and other Atlantic requirements including identifying information and data omissions in reports and contacting grantee accordingly.  This may include monitoring of complex project management information through the use of appropriate tools
·         Works closely with Grants Administration to ensure accurate and timely receipt of information to allow efficient distribution of funds to grantees in line with Atlantic policies and procedures
·         Other administrative tasks related to programme management
·         Perform other administrative duties as required, including but not limited to travel arrangements, expense reports, filing, mail collection and distribution, greeting visitors and coordinating refreshments
·         Special projects as assigned
 
Professional Experience:
 
·         Experience in public policy  advocacy  strongly preferred
·         Knowledge of and experience in not for profit organizations
·         Good understanding of grants administration
·         A Bachelors degree or equivalent preferred
·         An interest in, and experience of, relevant programmatic issues
 


Personal and Interpersonal Qualifications
 
·         A flexible and dependable team player, also a self starter and ability to work independently
·         Organisation, planning, prioritization, time and project management skills
·         Strong oral and writing skills, with a good command of the English language
·         Strong computer and technical skills (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook and Web based research)
·         Ability to identify and access relevant research, policy, statistical and other information and prepare clear and concise briefing papers
·         Critical thinking skills with the ability to analyse proposals rigorously including financial skills to evaluate programme budgets
·         Ability to cope with ambiguity and change
·         Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a diverse range of people from different environments and at all levels
·         Not withstanding all the foregoing, a sense of humor is an asset
 
 
IF INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT:
 
GENE FAVOURS
212-916-7316
g.favours@atlanticphilanthropies.org