Program Officer - Grants

About the role

The Grants Program Officer serves as a key member of the Grants Team and reports to the Director of Grants. The position works independently and collaboratively with Grant Team members in the award, monitoring, and management of TAJF grants, and interfaces with other TAJF teams to achieve the Foundation’s objectives and vision.

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (“TAJF”) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1984 by the Texas Supreme Court and the State Bar of Texas to administer the Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) program. TAJF is the largest funder of free civil legal services for disadvantaged low-income communities in Texas. Since its founding, TAJF has administered more than two billion dollars in grants to nonprofit legal services organizations in Texas.

Responsibilities

• Grant Management: Manages an assigned portfolio of active grants, including reviewing periodic and annual programmatic and budgetary reports to ensure compliance with TAJF’s grant agreement; reviews and approves proposed revisions to budgets; monitors grantee submission of required reports and information for timeliness and completeness; supports grantees as needed; participates in in-person site visits of grantees; keeps the team informed regarding grantee progress and status, including preparing reports and recommendations related to grant oversight; responds to inquiries from grantees on specific grants, compliance issues, and developments.
• Grant Awards: Reviews and analyzes grant application proposals including programmatic narratives and proposed budgets; communicates with grantee applicants regarding modifications; prepares summaries of applications and recommendations for review and action by the TAJF Board; maintains data regarding grant awards.
• Reports and Communications: Prepares reports and memoranda related to grant awards, grant management activities, and specific research projects and topics assigned; assists in drafting and preparing grant agreements; interfaces with the TAJF communications manager regarding public relations specific to assigned grantees and projects.
• Coordination: Assists in organizing and preparing for convenings of grantees and legal access stakeholders; participates in activities with legal access stakeholders.
• Content Expertise: Develops and maintains expertise in subject matter relevant to the grant portfolio or assigned topics; provides the team with information regarding developments to further TAJF’s mission.
• Other duties: Complies with internal administrative requirements and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• JD and certificate of good standing from the Texas State Bar
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the legal aid community (equivalent years of experience in the representation of low-income clients may be considered in lieu of legal aid experience)
• Excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with co-workers
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications, database management, and spreadsheet software
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and work well under time constraints
• Occasional travel, primarily within the State of Texas

Qualifications

• Experience with grant management software
• Management experience working with a legal aid provider or in a volunteer bar association setting