Program Officer- Research

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Officer (PO), Research manages a research and grant portfolio that focuses on data-driven research and metrics to track entrepreneurial ecosystems, and to further research illuminating successful outcomes to support entrepreneurs, organizations that support entrepreneurs, and decision-makers and policy-makers.
Specific Responsibilities include:
Research
• Work closely with Kauffman Foundation staff, researchers and data scientists, and grantees to develop data and metrics on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• Conduct research and data analysis as needed and oversee research contractors.
• Acquire a wide range of knowledge on all issues that are of interest to the Entrepreneurship
Department. The PO may be asked to provide leadership on a particular content subject and contribute to Foundation outputs, while developing expertise on a broad range of issues. Focus on keeping up with the changing landscape of research and data in entrepreneurship.

Grant Management
• Develop and manage grants and research initiatives which are relevant to entrepreneurship support organizations and policymakers and lead to data and metrics that ultimately support the success of entrepreneurs.
• Build and attract researchers and funders through request for proposals, individual grants and working with relevant partners.
• Seek to advance the initiatives of the Foundation, with a deep commitment to using data and research insights to foster informed discussion and ultimately drive research, program and policy improvements.
• Support the development and implementation of the department’s broader data strategies and initiatives.
• Represent the Foundation at various conferences and events, including taking relevant speaking engagements.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Education: Master’s degree in a field with strong applied research focus (e.g. applied social science, public policy, computational social science, empirical economics).
Work Experience: Five years of experience working in a research or grant writing capacity. Experience with research preferred.
Travel: This position may require up to 33% business travel.

QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified candidates for this position must be highly motivated, capable of self-directed work, detail- oriented and able to work collaboratively across teams and departments. Incumbents must exhibit a keen sense of responsibility and enjoy working with multiple demands, shifting priorities, and constant change.
A successful candidate profile:
• Ability to construct logical arguments that connect grant outcomes to overall departmental goals
• Adequate understanding of organizational and leadership dynamics in order to identify grantee
capacity for success as well as potential risks
• Methodological and analytical rigor and creative insight to identify, shape, and manage high
quality research in support of strategic goals of the foundation.
• Capacity to understand basic budgets in order to identify grantee capacity for success as well
as potential risks
• Basic understanding of balance sheet and income statements in order to assess grantee
capacity for success as well as potential risks
• Strong computer literacy skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, and data base
applications, and familiarity with standard software programs, including statistical packages.
• Possesses a passion for “doing what is right,” with unquestioned integrity, positive ethics and
values reflective of the Kauffman Foundation.

All of the statements in this position description are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. This document describes the position currently available. The organization reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.
All of the statements in this position description are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. This document describes the position currently available. The organization reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.

TO APPLY
Interested applicants can apply for this position by submitting a cover letter and resume to resume@kauffman.org.
Resumes and cover letters should be submitted in this fashion, please. (last name, first name, resume OR last name, first name, cover letter).