Adaptive Management and Evaluation Officer (Science) and Manager, External Evaluations

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation•Palo Alto, CA

1d•$265,000 - $335,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is seeking a highly collaborative project leader with deep expertise in adaptive management, measurement, evaluation, and learning to join its Adaptive Management and Evaluation department. This department advances the foundation's mission by helping program teams use evidence to set strategy, track progress, learn, and maximize impact. The Adaptive Management and Evaluation Officer (Science) and Manager, External Evaluations will provide technical leadership in adaptive management, measurement, evaluation, and learning for the Science program, which spans natural sciences and the science ecosystem. This role involves supporting work to understand and measure conditions enabling discovery, including the interaction of policy, funding, and education with scientific progress. As Manager, External Evaluations, the role will develop scopes of work, manage evaluation consultants, and present to the Board of Trustees. The position reports to the Chief Adaptive Management and Evaluation Officer and is based in Palo Alto, California, operating under a hybrid work model.

Requirements

A graduate degree (preferably PhD) in a physical, biological, or social science field.
At least 15 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in project management and/or analysis related to the science enterprise.
At least 15 years of experience conducting and/or managing external evaluations.
Demonstrated expertise in project cycle management, adaptive management, impact measurement, and evaluation.
Extensive experience working in a consulting capacity in support of other teams.
Experience working effectively with scientists and scientific teams.
Demonstrate a diplomatic demeanor, strong interpersonal skills, a can-do attitude, and excellent written and verbal communication.
Maintain a flexible, solutions-oriented approach in a collaborative environment and remain effective amid ambiguity.
Move with speed and efficiency and ability to pivot quickly between topics.
Build trusted relationships and effectively motivate, influence, and delegate when appropriate.
Think critically to identify, frame, and solve problems across varied contexts.
Develop practical, innovative solutions to real-time challenges.
Self-manage priorities and goals; coordinate deadlines and deliverables; and apply strong project management discipline.
Communicate fluently with scientists and be conversant in the concepts and language used in scientific work.
Work effectively across the Science program’s teams and maintain current knowledge of each team’s activities and priorities.
Communicate effectively across media and audiences – written and verbal; one-on-one and group settings; and with senior leadership and the Board of Trustees.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of philanthropy and grantmaking; familiarity with the scientific domains relevant to the foundation’s Science program is preferred.

Responsibilities

Facilitate program design and refinement, including developing theories of change, defining outcomes and indicators, and building monitoring approaches and systems.
Advise on individual grant outcome plans for clarification on defining outcomes and measurement plans, when requested.
Provide technical support to program teams for data collection, analysis, and interpretation to track progress toward outcomes.
Help plan and support internal strategy reviews, synthesizing evidence and highlighting implications for course correction.
Identify and lead targeted learning activities that strengthen the Science program’s adaptive management practice.
Conduct strategic analysis of program work to support implementation of the Science program’s framework and priorities.
Scan, synthesize, and share analysis and research on emerging best practices in basic science grantmaking.
Lead work to define and operationalize science outcomes for individual basic science grants and for portfolios of grants/initiatives.
Partner with each initiative, the Chief AME Officer, and the President to conduct an adaptive management diagnosis that identifies strengths and gaps for AME support.
Develop a joint work plan to address findings; coordinate related communication among the initiative, AME, and the President; and update the audit annually.
Lead the design, planning, and day-to-day management of external evaluations.
Identify and select external evaluators aligned to each evaluation’s purpose, scope, and methodological needs.
In collaboration with the relevant program director or officer, identify, recruit, and manage expert panelists for each external evaluation.
Oversee monitoring system assessments to ensure teams have the measurement, evaluation, and learning systems in place they need to practice adaptive management and evaluations that are supported by reliable information.
Draft and manage contracts for external evaluations, oversee budgets, and manage related consultants and deliverables.
Contribute to the design and facilitation of foundation-wide adaptive management activities.
Backstop other AME staff, as needed, to support adaptive management work across programs and functions.

Benefits

Competitive salary
Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
Mental wellness program
Paid parental leave
Employer-paid disability and life insurance benefits
Pre-tax flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses
6 weeks of paid time off per year
10 paid holidays
401(k) retirement savings plan with a foundation contribution of up to 10% and a Roth 401(k) option
Matching gifts program for qualifying charitable contributions
Hybrid work arrangements
Home office stipend
Commuter benefits program
Professional development program with an annual financial benefit of $5,000 and paid time off to participate in educational programs