Development Coordinator, Foreign Policy

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The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Foreign Policy program at Brookings is a leading center of policy-relevant scholarship exploring the rapidly re-ordering geopolitics of the great and major powers, and the disordering relations among states and transnational actors in the greater Middle East. Our scholars provide concrete policy recommendations for how U.S. strategy, the international security architecture, and key allies should adapt to changing threats and opportunities.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires all staff to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 to be in Brookings buildings.  

Individuals that (i) have a qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation.  Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.  

Ready to contribute to Brookings success? 

The Development Coordinator provides coordination and research and strategy support to the Development team in Foreign Policy (FP) at Brookings, with a primary focus on operating, tracking, and recording internal processes, data, and information related to prospects, donors, solicitations, grant reports and deliverables, and agreements. The Development Coordinator assists with all aspects of administration and communication between Foreign Policy (FP) and other parts of the Institution, including: the central Development office (Central DEV), Grants Administration, Office of General Counsel, Executive Office, and other research programs.

Process and Data Coordination and Administration (60%)

• Tracks, records, and coordinates fundraising efforts and contacts undertaken by FP development team, vice president, chief of staff, assistant directors, and scholars. 
• Maintains system for tracking and manages the composition, approval, and submission processes for solicitations including grant proposals, concept notes, reports, and other funding requests and materials, ensuring that grants are stewarded and reported on deadline and accurately. 
• Updates office of grants administration on grant requirements, deliverables, and progress to support institutional processes for approval and reporting.  
• Works with scholars and research center staff to prepare materials for proposals and grant reports; copyedits and drafts proposals, reports and other development-related materials; distributes documents to appropriate personnel and departments in Brookings; prepares and mails documents and materials to external contacts. 
• Oversees internal SharePoint proposal routing process, ensuring timely completion of all necessary reviews. 
• Enters data into Raiser’s Edge or other CRM database, including actions, mailings, information updates, etc.; tracks/reviews weekly reports generated from Raiser’s Edge by DEV; attends monthly Raiser’s Edge meetings and keeps up to date on software use. 
• Maintains complete files on funders, including correspondence, proposals, reports, and other engagements. 
• In coordination with FP Finance team, prepares and tracks reimbursement requests as needed; assists with budget monitoring; monitors expenses, room charges, and other event invoices. 

 Meeting Coordination (25%)

• Helps prepare agendas for and participates in recurring meetings to review and plan for proposal and report deadlines, prospect research, calendar of briefings, project statuses, workflow, and priorities. 
• Arranges internal and external meetings; schedules meetings with FP and/or other Brookings staff and donors as needed; sends mailings and sets up events; coordinates with scholars, books rooms, orders refreshments, prepares materials. 
• Researches and assembles materials for internal and external meetings. 
• As needed, provides day-of support for donor events, dinners, roundtables, briefings, etc. 

Strategy and Research Coordination  (15%)

• In coordination with central DEV, prepares and maintains prospect lists for tracking; coordinates with development team to research and deconflict prospects and donors to FP Centers, Initiatives, Projects, and individual scholars. 
• Contributes to team strategies on donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities. 
• Works with the development team and with FP financial managers to monitor status of prospective donors (pending, likely, possible); provides information and input on development perspective to financial managers to clarify or negotiate status of prospects.   

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree is required, as well as a minimum of three years’ related work experience including one year in a development or fundraising environment; experience working on foundation and government grants is preferred.  Experience working with data and databases is required. Experience working in a non-profit organization and/or in a research environment is preferred; some experience with event management is also preferred. 

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Organizational skills: Demonstrated administrative and organizational skills are required, including a proven ability to work well in a fast-paced environment. Under direction, the Development Coordinator must be able to quickly and accurately compile and distribute information and documents, and must be able to organize meetings and other activities in a fast-moving work environment.

Planning and Execution skills: Candidates must demonstrate ability to proactively coordinate multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment, with an ability to estimate the time and resources required to complete tasks. Successful coordination includes tracking, facilitating, documenting, and communicating all stages of a project from conception to completion and requires attention to detail and adherence to timelines. A strong sense of initiative, discretion, mature judgment, and persistence are required to manage ongoing tasks, assess competing priorities, and modify plans as new information surfaces or conditions change

Problem Solving and Decision-making skills: Must demonstrate good judgment about when to seek input on decision-making and when to independently move forward. The Development Coordinator uses knowledge, skills, and experience to document, troubleshoot, and solve problems, and takes actions that serve team goals.

Communication skills: Excellent oral and written English skills are required. The Development Coordinator must be able to draft internal and external communications that convey messages clearly and concisely and which require little editing. Candidates must be able to communicate in a professional manner with stakeholders at all levels of seniority.

Interpersonal skills: Superb interpersonal skills; flexibility, poise, tact, discretion and mature judgment to handle and respond appropriately and professionally in a high-pressure atmosphere are all required. Must understand the roles of other team members and engage effectively with a broad range of counterparts to complete shared tasks.

Technical skills: Knowledge of processes and guidelines for managing foundation and government grants is preferred. The Development Coordinator must develop understanding of Brookings’s internal policies and processes for development, independence, and other priorities, and must apply this understanding to tasks. Familiarity with U.S. foreign policy and international relations is helpful. Proficient copyediting and proofreading skills are required. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word is required; proficiency in Office 365, Sharepoint, and Raiser’s Edge is preferred.

Additional Information:

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.