Senior Program Officer, Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems

Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems

Since its founding, McKnight's Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems (CRFS) has committed more than $166 million in grantmaking to further collaborative crop research among smallholder farmers, leading local researchers, and development practitioners. Currently, grants support regionally-based research projects that are grouped into three communities of practice (CoPs) in the Andes, West Africa, and East and Southern Africa with leadership provided by regional consultants in collaboration with the Foundation team. The team also manages a portfolio of multi-region cross-cutting grants that fund research methods support, cutting-edge innovations, and collective action and global thought leadership to influence food systems transformation through research norms and agendas, funding flows, and supportive policies for agroecological food systems.

Two intertwined strategies, one regional and one global, advance this goal. We believe that by bridging grounded knowledge and initiatives to global and cross-national processes, we will increase the likelihood that agroecological transformation will be supported by global funding flows, policies, and research norms and agendas.

Strategy 1 : Accelerate local and regional food systems transformation by scaling co-created agroecological knowledge and practice.

Strategy 2 : Influence global and cross-national funding flows, policies, and research norms and agendas to enable agroecological transformation.

Find out more here.

The Role

The Senior Program Officer position offers a rare leadership opportunity in the arena of agroecological, farmer-centered transdisciplinary research. Serving as the CRFS team lead on agroecological science, the Senior Program Officer will work at the cutting edge of transdisciplinary agroecological solutions and cultivate a global portfolio of research projects and related investments focused on creating equitable and sustainable options for smallholder farmers and food systems.

A member of the McKnight Foundation's CRFS program team based in Minneapolis, the Senior Program Officer reports to the CRFS Program Director. Working in close collaboration with the Minnesota-based CRFS team, grantees, regional consultants, and partners around the world, the CRFS team develops strategic responses to food systems, climate, and equity challenges.

Key Responsibilities

Building relationships, leading strategy, nurturing an ecosystem of systems change action.

• Identify strategic priorities, gaps, and opportunities to advance changemaking in program areas through the lens of equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Serve as point person for one or more key high-level partnerships, including intermediary partners, regrantors, and / or major grantees.
• Mentor and develop Program Officers in core area(s) of expertise, related to both content and philanthropic capacities.

Foundation Grantmaking and operations.

Leading changemaking actions.

Partnerships

Communications & Operations

Working across programs and with our amplifying functions : Grants & Program Operations, Learning, and Communications.

Leader in the field of philanthropy, representing the foundation in sector space.

Participate in Foundation-wide meetings and events.

Ideal Candidate Profile

McKnight seeks individuals who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to agroecological, farmer-centered research. You share the belief that empowering local communities across the globe to grow nutritious food, locally and sustainably, is the most effective way to reverse the failures of our current global food system. You are committed to applying your agroecological and transdisciplinary science expertise to supporting a collaborative model of agroecological systems research to strengthen the capacity of farmer groups, researchers, development organizations and scientists to shift agricultural research towards holistic outcomes, equity and regenerative solutions. The ideal candidate brings the understanding that to achieve meaningful impact, the work spans research, practice, and systems change.

The successful candidate is an innovative thinker and change agent who sees the possibilities for transformation in the field of agroecological research. You are a learner at heart doing your best work in partnership with others, opting for ideas and solutions that emerge from authentic collaboration. Highly desired are individuals who have the agility and humility to play multiple roles simultaneously : thought partner, expert / coach, leader / learner, visionary / implementer. It is essential that candidates demonstrate the intellectual energy and creativity required to view issues and challenges from multiple perspectives.

The Senior Program Officer possesses the cultural competency to diplomatically navigate diverse international contexts and multi-national stakeholder groups. You are able to readily discern what is unique about each context and connect dots where there are common themes and learnings to be shared. This is challenging and complex work, so an adaptive style that allows you to thrive in ambiguity and maintain a bias toward action that keeps the program on the cutting edge is essential.

An agroecological scientist who can toggle between the intellectual rigors of the hard science, smallholder farmer realities in the Global South and the administrative demands of a program officer juggling a portfolio of grants, relationships, and related team responsibilities will thrive in this role. It is also critical that candidates truly understand the dynamics of holding privilege and power in a funder role and demonstrate the aptitude to co-create trusting relationships across the difference.

McKnight Foundation is a learning organization, and successful candidates are naturally curious, lifelong learners who readily delve into new topics and issue areas. You will embrace the opportunities to explore ways to align the global work with learnings generated by McKnight's domestic programs (for example, Midwest Climate & Energy) and are personally committed to participating in the Foundation's effort to integrate justice and equity into all facets of its work.

Minimum Education and Experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Foundation-wide Competencies

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

This opportunity is a full-time, exempt position based in Minneapolis, MN. The salary for the Senior Program Officer is $161,256.80 per year.

To Apply

Please apply for this position using the online application form on McKnight's website  and submit your resume and cover letter as two different documents through the form. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this opportunity and how your skills and experience make you a good fit for the position and the Foundation.

The documents should be saved in PDF in the following format : FirstName-LastName-DocumentName-Date(mmyy)-McKnightFoundation

About McKnight Foundation

The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. Established in 1953, the McKnight Foundation is deeply committed to advancing climate solutions in the Midwest; building an equitable and inclusive Minnesota; and supporting the arts and culture in Minnesota, neuroscience, and global food systems.

McKnight is an equal opportunity employer and proudly values diversity. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

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