Description

The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) strives to positively impact the lives of American Indians by supporting their higher education and career objectives. College Fund team members believe education is the answer and collectively we raise funds, provide scholarships, and holistically support students in achieving their goals. Programming, research, and enhancing the capacities of tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) are also integral elements of our mission.

The Program Administrator – IECE is directly responsible for administering and managing all TCU Indigenous early childhood education grant funded programs at the College Fund. This position will report to the Vice President of Programs and engage in the maintenance and expansion of TCU IECE program opportunities. Major responsibilities will include strategic engagement across grant funded programs to support the vision of IECE, community engagement, creative storytelling, writing and publishing stories of our success, fund development (specifically through grant writing), data collection/reporting, and building strong partnerships with TCUs, teachers, parents/families, and young children. The Program Administrator will also contribute to the overall growth of the Programs Department, supporting interdisciplinary program management, cross department inquiry, and evaluation.

Essential Job Functions

1. Manage the overall Indigenous Early Childhood Education (IECE) Program
   1. Develop program plans and monitoring systems, including process for selecting TCUs to participate in program based on faculty and other resources
   2. Support program implementation at participating TCUs through co-visioning, planning, implementation, evaluation, and replication/expansion
   3. Implement and strengthen the re-granting application process, grant requirements, and evaluation plan
   4. Provide financial oversight according to the approved grant budget
   5. Foster widespread awareness and effective collaboration of Indigenous early childhood education among TCUs and other tribal partners and communities to share best practices through a community of practice
   6. Engage and develop meaningful relationships with community partners, regional, and national organizations
   7. Monitor grantee progress towards grant objectives and provide support and guidance, and problem solve as needed to ensure objectives are met
   8. Coordinate retreats/gatherings and site visits
   9. Coordinate consultants and contractors, as needed
   10. Ensure communication and reporting to donors are appropriate and timely
   11. Support program evaluation by aiding the development of evaluation metrics and methodologies for showing progress and defining overall success of the program
   12. Provide reporting on program activities and impact
2. Support implementation of 2020 Indigenous Early Childhood Education strategic plan
3. Contribute to the development of relationships with foundations, corporations, and private donors interested in funding TCU IECE programs by writing case statements and proposals that match donor interest with tribal college community needs
4. Support other College Fund Strategic Goals and Objectives
   1. Collaborate with other teams within the College Fund to accomplish organizational goals
   2. Actively participate in department level and organizational strategic and annual planning
   3. Engage in Programs and College Fund discussions related to program impact, and provide summarized/analyzed project information
   4. Support sharing of successful programming between the College Fund and the TCUs and among the TCUs themselves
   5. Create and gather monthly and quarterly summaries of IECE programs for reporting to Board and senior leadership
   6. Disseminates information about program activity for internal accountability, fundraising, and public education purposes
   7. Present College Fund programming and outcomes at conferences and other venues
   8. Share student stories and program successes to support the College Fund’s general awareness and fundraising efforts
5. Administers other duties as assigned

Job Requirements

Education/Experience

• Master’s degree preferred
• 3-5 years of combined experience in higher education, teacher education, and early childhood education
• Strong understanding of teacher accreditation, early childhood center accreditation, and in building communities of practice
• Demonstrated experience with grant program development, budget management, and timelines
• Knowledge of process for publishable research
• Excellent computer and internet research skills
• Knowledge of Indigenous frameworks for early childhood education, preferred

Competencies

• Demonstrated skill in grant writing and administration
• Strong financial management of programs
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work to meet project, department, and organizational timelines
• Ability to contribute to department strategic and annual planning
• Self-directed, and seeks to develop new innovations in programming
• Strong presentation and interpersonal communication skills for diverse audiences
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments
• Strong desire to engage in professional development to increase program, leadership and research skills
• Experience working with American Indian communities and tribal colleges desired
• Relationship building with multiple, diverse stakeholders over long periods of time
• Flexibility to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with TCUs and/or American Indian students, families, and communities
• Experience in a nonprofit environment

Work Environment and Physical Activities

• Professional office environment
• Frequent computer use

• Frequent travel by car and plane to tribal colleges and universities located in rural communities

• Lifting from 20-30 pounds

Note:   The intent is not to provide an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with this position. Incumbent may perform other duties as assigned.