The Organization
The DC Bar Foundation (DCBF), a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1977, funds, supports, and improves legal representation of people living in poverty and in vulnerable situations, or who are otherwise underserved in the District of Columbia. We are committed to the vision that residents of the District have equal access to justice, regardless of income. We provide grants, training, and technical assistance to DC legal aid organizations and award loans to DC poverty lawyers to help with their educational debt. As a part of our investment in justice, DCBF is implementing a robust strategic plan that will include (1) funding with intention, (2) engaging with our stakeholders, (3) identify unmet needs, (4) demonstrate impact, and (5) infuse with racial justice and equity.
Position Overview
The Director of Programs manages the resources, personnel, and departmental functions of programming and grantmaking at the DC Bar Foundation in effort to achieve organizational goals and carry out the strategic goal of transforming the District’s civil legal aid network.
Responsibilities
The following list of duties is not exhaustive. The Foundation may also outline additional duties and responsibilities that are not included in this job description.
Supervision, Fiscal Management, and Contract Negotiation
- Direct, plan, coordinate and supervise the work of Programs staff
- In consultation with the CEO, responsible for hiring, coaching, and discipline of Programs staff
- Supervise and manage consultants
- Support communications efforts led by the Director of Development and Communications, including a monthly newsletter, annual testimony, website and social media
- Develop and manage budget for Programs
- Coordinate with the CEO and accounting regarding the payout of funds
- Negotiate grant agreement with District of Columbia
- Negotiate assigned consultant and vendor contracts
Grantmaking
- Oversee multiple grant programs
- Responsible for the review of grant applications
- Present grant recommendations to the Board
- Maintain strong relationships with the Foundation’s leadership for the purposes of grantmaking
- Ensure that the grant deliverables to the District of Columbia are achieved in a manner that is consistent with the public funding
- Oversee the use of the grants management system for applicants, staff, reviewers and Board
- Work with Programs staff to develop and maintain data collection, grant tracking, measurement of programs, and accurate and timely reporting of results
- Conduct programmatic site visits
- Evaluate grantee performance
- Oversee financial assessments and site visits of applicants and grantees
- Develop policy recommendations
- Oversee the Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)
Minimum Requirements
- Juris Doctor or LLM
- 10+ years’ experience directly related to poverty law, nonprofit services or grantmaking
- Deep familiarity with civil legal aid and the District’s civil legal aid network
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically to align programmatic work with an organization’s strategic framework
- Previous experience directing a team or department, as well as demonstrated leadership and management skills
- Sound professional judgment and professional maturity
- Ability to thrive and adapt to the changing demands of a fast-paced work environment
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrated commitment to creating and sustaining a positive work environment
Work Environment
This is a professional role based in Washington, DC and will require work to be performed remotely and/or within the office space. The position involves frequent use of computers, phones and virtual meeting platforms. The role may require periodic work outside of normal business hours, as well as occasional local travel.
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of this job consistent with federal, state, and local standards, including meeting productivity standards. Persons with mental and physical disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible for this position as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodations are made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible for this position.
The DC Bar Foundation provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.
How To Apply
Apply today through HiringThing: https://dc-bar-foundation.hiringthing.com/job/226348/director-of-programs
Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter detailing how their qualifications align with the Director of Programs opportunity at DCBF.
No calls or emails, please.