OPEN POSITIONS: Health Equity Fellow

Title: Health Equity Fellow

Supervised by: Director of Programs

Status: Full-time, Three-year Term

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Healthy Communities Foundation (HCF) is a community-informed grantmaking foundation that seeks to measurably improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in our service region. We accomplish this by supporting practices and policies that promote health equity, quality, and access. As a health conversion foundation established in 2000 by the sale of MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois, we make grants to organizations working within 27 zip codes in Chicago and the surrounding western suburbs.

 

We believe that all residents of our service region, particularly those who live with the greatest health inequities, should have access to resources and opportunities that improve their well-being and create a sustainable quality of life. The foundation’s grantmaking framework is composed of four strategies: accessing quality health care; addressing the social determinants of health; advocating for policies and systems change that impact health; and augmenting knowledge and improved practice through capacity-building, learning, and aligned initiatives.

FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW

The Health Equity Fellow will support the Program Team in scaling effective community-centered philanthropic practices that advance health and racial equity in the HCF region. The Fellow will gain experience and insight into institutional and place-based philanthropy, cross-sector collaboration, community organizing and development systems, policy and advocacy, and strategies to incorporate equity firmly in community, nonprofit services and programs.

 

The fellowship is a limited-term appointment of three years and is open to those who have completed a bachelor’s degree and/or have comparable experience. It is a full-time salaried position with benefits. We are most interested in candidates whose education, work and/or lived experience have brought them knowledge of health equity issues, nonprofit operations, social justice, public policy, and/or government, and who are committed to racial equity and justice.

 

This fellowship provides a career development opportunity for an emerging professional while adding capacity to the Healthy Communities Foundation Program Team. A robust professional training schedule and focus will be co-created at the start of the fellowship.

RESPONSIBILITIES

      • Provide project management support to the Program Team including project planning, meeting preparation, collaborating on internal and external communications, and tracking goals.
      • Assist in the Team’s review of grant requests, preparation of grant recommendations, and management of portfolio of grants.
      • Lead special projects that may emerge.
      • Conduct research and analysis to support foundation strategies, including issue research, aggregating background context and conducting scans of current nonprofit and philanthropic practices.
      • Prepare materials for, supports and participates in internal and external presentations and meetings.
      • Attend and actively participate in conferences, convenings, and site visits.
      • Support the team in embedding racial equity and justice in its grantmaking processes.
      • Support the Foundation in the fulfillment of its strategic priorities.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

      • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
      • Nonprofit experience required, preference for experience working in or volunteering with community-based, advocacy and/or health-focused organizations.
      • Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
      • Strong end-to-end project-management skills that include project initiation, planning, development, and execution.
      • Ability to synthesize large amounts of information.
      • Strong team orientation, including the ability to collaborate effectively within and across teams and departments to reach common goals.
      • A learning orientation and curious mindset evidenced by recognizing patterns, identifying key lessons and developing creative solutions.
      • A commitment to equity, diversity, justice, and inclusion.
      • High level of competence with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
      • Ability to work collaboratively (in-person and virtually).

ALIGNMENT TO VALUES

      • Strong commitment to and practice of addressing racial equity, racial justice, and systemic racism including white supremacy and anti-Blackness practices.
      • Ability to apply a broad knowledge of the concepts, practice, principles, and procedures of grantmaking.
      • Demonstrate essential trustworthiness in maintaining a high level of confidentiality with regards to Foundation, Board, Staff and grantmaking processes
      • Ability to learn the systems and agencies that impact health outcomes in the HCF service region and demonstrate the synthesis of that learning.
      • Maintain a broad knowledge of health disparities and equity issues within the HCF service region.
      • Bring an empathetic mindset to the lived experiences and challenges that affect the well-being of those who reside in the HCF service area.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

This role is currently 100% remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expenses related to remote work including equipment, software and internet access are provided by HCF. Commuting by car to partner organizations will be expected when it is safe. A valid driver’s license is preferred – mileage is reimbursed for personal vehicles. The Healthy Communities Foundation is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its programs, and operations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please express those concerns in the cover letter.

 

Location: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all staff members are working remotely during normal business hours and operating on Central Standard Time. We expect to resume in-person gatherings in the Fall of 2021. When it is safe, HCF staff are expected to attend meetings and work collaboratively in our headquarters in Riverside, IL, shared space in Chicago, IL and/or with community partners (aka grantee partners).

SALARY

The salary range for this position is $45,000 – $55,000. A generous benefits package is also provided.  Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

BENEFITS

      • Medical and dental benefits for the employee and immediate family.
      • Retirement savings account with matching foundation contributions after 6 months of employment
      • Generous paid time off.
      • Professional development initiatives for growth.
      • Parental leave (maternal and paternal) during new child’s first year (born into family or adopted).

TO APPLY

The search is being conducted with assistance from Chears & Associates. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications should include:

        • A cover letter describing your interest, experience with and/or in the HCF region, an articulated understanding of the position, and a description of how your experience aligns with the position.
        • A resume that includes a chronological description of experience and education.

 

Submit the requested materials via email to administration@hcfdn.org. In order to streamline the sorting and review process, please include your name (Last, First) and “Health Fellow” in the subject line of your email.

 

Note: Please refrain from any phone calls, emails, or direct communication with the HCF Board and Staff.

 

Application Period: Interviews with qualified candidates will occur on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  Therefore, candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.