External

Program Officer, Pathy Family Foundation

Position: Full Time
Published:

The application deadline is August 4th. Interviews will begin during the week of August 12, 2024.

Who are we?

The Pathy Family Foundation (PFF) is a private family foundation based in Montreal, Quebec which has been active for over 15 years. PFF supports community organizations locally in Montreal, nationally across Canada, and internationally, working to help build vibrant, inclusive, and resilient communities where rights and opportunities are accessible to all. We believe in collaboration and learning, and in supporting the leadership of communities and their organizations in their pursuit of positive social change. Grants in 2023 totalled $16.4 million: 67% made within Canada – of which 30% went towards Indigenous-led and Indigenous informed organizations – and 33% went to international organizations and projects across South Asia, Middle East, Sub Saharan Africa, and Latin America.

Where are we?

The Pathy Family Foundation’s offices are located on the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka people (Keepers of the Eastern Door) on the island known as Tio’tia:ke (Montreal).

What are the position’s responsibilities?

The Program Officer is responsible for the grant administration and partnership management for a portfolio of approximately 20 community organizations who receive funding from PFF. The role is both highly autonomous and deeply collaborative, working in active partnership with the grant partner organizations, and working alongside team members and the Board of Directors when necessary. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Officer’s responsibilities include payment and reporting administration, helping to strengthen the capacity of grant partner organizations, researching and analyzing existing and potential new partnerships within the Foundation’s areas of focus, and collaboratively managing grant partnership relationships.

  • Start Date: September 2024
  • Contract Length: Permanent position with a 6-month probationary period.
  • Hours: 40 hours a week, with flex hours. Occasional travel with notice.
  • Compensation: $80,000 annual compensation
  • Benefits: Generous health and dental coverage which begins on day 1 of employment, 4 weeks vacation + 2-week paid office closure at year-end, pension plan, $1,500 flex health and personal spending account through SunLife coverage, $5,000 available annually for professional development.

Core tasks:

Grant Management:

  • Identifying, developing, analyzing, and recommending grant projects to the PFF team and Board, based on community input, research, and due diligence, in line with the Foundation’s mission
    and program guidelines.
  • Nurturing close, trusting relationships with partner organizations to foster true partnership and
    allow for flexibility and adaptation of the funded activities to best meet the community’s needs.
  • Ongoing grant monitoring and administration (sending payments, receiving reports, tracking progress, etc.) and regular communication with grant partners.
  • Conducting project site visits (local and international) and attending partner events.
  • Capturing the lessons learned and impacts from PFF funding, and reporting back to the team and Board.
  • Facilitating access for grant partners to appropriate resources and supports that go above and beyond funding offered by PFF.

Knowledge Sharing and Learning

  • Researching and analyzing specific issues related to PFF’s partner areas of work.
  • Participating in relevant conferences, workshops, and webinars to advance knowledge of the fields of work related to PFF’s areas of focus.
  • Actively contributing to reviewing and improving PFF’s grantmaking processes to ensure PFF’s work can meet the needs of partners through trust-based philanthropy.
  • Providing analytical updates on emerging trends and issues in philanthropy.
  • Actively supporting PFF’s Peer-to-Peer Learning Initiative, where appropriate, and ensure learnings are applied within PFF’s grantmaking and within our funder networks.

Collaboration and Communication:

  • Delivering occasional presentations to the Board of Directors on topics related to partner work and research.
  • Participating in team and Board learning events and initiatives related to PFF’s strategy and organizational development (team retreats, Board tour, etc).
  • Acting as liaison and maintain relationships with key collaborators (other funders, experts, researchers, etc.) and seek new ones in line with PFF’s organizational priorities and vision.
  • Participating in the integration of anti-oppressive frameworks within the Foundation’s updated policies and practices.
  • Providing additional support (on-site, administrative, etc.) to team members as needed.

Qualifications:

At the Pathy Family Foundation, we recognize the value of both paid and unpaid work experience. We encourage applications from candidates who meet some or all of the following qualifications to apply:

  • A minimum of five years of experience in program development and implementation, ideally with a by-and-for community organization, or a foundation or other funder;
  • Demonstrated experience with designing community-led approaches to program development, implementation, and evaluation;
  • Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work on several projects at the same time (including reporting, research, budgeting, etc.);
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
  • Significant experience with PFF’s areas of focus: Working in or with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities AND/OR in international development;
  • Experience representing an organization and/or serving as liaison with public, private, government, media, or other community stakeholders;
  • Ability to communicate comfortably in French and English, both oral and written;
  • Desired academic qualification: Bachelor in the social sciences or other related field.

Please note: Only candidates who are currently legally eligible to work in Canada will be considered.

Successful Candidates Will Possess the Following:

We are looking for someone who brings a passion for social change and social equity, an aptitude for navigating the complexity of the non-profit sector, and strong interpersonal skills to join our team.

Other qualities include:

  • attention to detail;
  • ability to be self-motivated, set and meet deadlines, work under pressure, and exercise sound judgment in setting priorities;
  • ability to work collaboratively with a broad range of people and perspectives;
  • ability to work both autonomously and with others in a fast-paced work environment.

The Pathy Family Foundation’s Current Context:

You will be joining a team of 4 staff members and 1 intern in:

  • a hybrid work environment, with two days per week in our offices in downtown Montreal and three days remote;
  • a culture of flexible working hours, ideal for parents and work-life balance;
  • an organization in transition, actively working on the integration of anti-oppressive and social equity values within our policies and practices;
  • a family foundation, where the Board of Directors – made up of members from 2 generations of the Pathy family – act as the governance and grant decision-making body.

Hiring Process:

To Apply:

All candidates are asked to provide a CV in PDF format and a cover letter in English or French to info@pathyfoundation.com. The letter is chance to share with us more about yourself, why you want to work at PFF, and the skills and experiences you would bring to this role and our team, whether through past professional, volunteering, or lived experiences. Writing is a significant portion of the Program Officer’s job, so it is also a chance to demonstrate your style and capacity. Please write in the language (English or French) that is most comfortable for you and limit your letter to a maximum of 2 pages.

The deadline to submit materials is Sunday, August 4th. PFF will be supported in the hiring process by the Talent Management team at Fednav Ltd. If you have any questions, please email info@pathyfoundation.com.

Our Process:

  • PFF anonymizes all applications before screening by the hiring committee. This means removing names, email, and addresses.
  • Candidates may be contacted for a brief phone interview to assess comfort in French or English in advance of in-person interviews.
  • First round in-person interviews will take place beginning the week of August 12th.
    • Interviewees will have the option to receive interview questions 48 hours in advance.
    • Interviewees will meet with PFF’s Executive Director, Chief Program Officer, and a member of our team.
    • PFF compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $100 per interview to acknowledge their time and effort.
    • If interviewees require accommodations to participate in the interview, PFF will provide up to $75 for childcare, transportation, etc.
    • Given that it is the holiday period, should you be invited to an interview, we are happy to try to work around pre-planned vacations.
  • A second interview for finalist candidates with the Chairman of PFF’s Board of Directors will take place mid/late August. Preparatory information will be provided to candidates in advance.

Accessibility:

The Pathy Family Foundation’s offices are currently located within the corporate head offices of Fednav Ltd., located at 1000 de la Gauchetière West on the 34th floor. The building is directly accessible via public transportation (Orange line – Bonaventure station) and offices are reachable via elevator. The office space is open concept, and each staff member has a dedicated desk area with ergonomic chair and adjustable standing desk. If you have specific questions relating to the accessibility of our space, please email Lyne at lcaron@fednav.com.

If you wish to be considered for employment equity:

The Pathy Family Foundation values the contributions that individuals who identify as members of marginalized communities bring to our organization. We encourage, among others, Indigenous people, people of colour, people with disabilities, people identifying as LGBTQI, recent immigrants, and people from working class backgrounds to apply. We also understand that applicants may experience a number of these identities simultaneously in ways that reinforce and nuance their experience. We are committed to creating an organization as diverse as the communities we serve. If you wish to be considered for employment equity, you can let us know in your cover letter. Please note that it is not required that candidates explain why they would like to be considered for employment equity.