The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is where your world and the world meet. The Council is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that empowers more people to help shape our global future. We are adding to the Center on Global Food and Agriculture team to connect with the next generation of changemakers who want to create a more open and promising world for all. By informing them, inspiring them, and involving them in world affairs, we will support an inclusive community of globally conscious people who want to have a tangible impact. The Council celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022. Do you want to help shape our next century?
 

The Role

The responsibility of the Program Coordinator is to provide administrative and project support for the Center on Global Food and Agriculture (CGFA)’s convenings and research and policy publications. The Program Coordinator will provide administrative support for CGFA’s Responsive Agriculture collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture. The Program Coordinator will also provide project and organizational support for the Sustainability Roundtables which include convenings, research, and policy publications. 

The Program Coordinator position is a Chicago-based hybrid role and requires some in-person attendance at our Downtown Chicago location based on work activities and peak seasons. The Program Coordinator will report to the Managing Director of Global Food and Agriculture.
 

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Administrative Support: Provides high-level administrative assistance to the Managing Director in support of the Responsive Agriculture project.  Serves as the gatekeeper and principal support to the Managing Director, handling the information flow in and out of the office and proactively researching, prioritizing, and following up on inquiries and determine appropriate course of action, referral, or response. Completes a broad variety of administrative tasks including: managing active calendars of meetings, conference calls, and travel; preparing and proofing correspondence for executive signatures

• Project Coordination and Management: Participates in planning meetings and takes meeting notes.  Coordinates logistical arrangements for the Sustainability Roundtables, including developing meeting agendas, sending invitations to participants, and assembling briefing materials. Builds systems and processes for tracking projects, reporting to and collaborating with other team members, managing to-dos and action items, keeping track of deadlines. Organizes and executes multiple aspects of projects with competing priorities and timelines

• Project Administration: Performs complex clerical tasks and administrative duties including drafting correspondence, responding to inquiries, and following-up on communications. Prepares and processes invoices and travel reimbursements in compliance with policies and procedures

• Event Planning and Support: Coordinates travel, lodging, and other logistics for meetings. Tracks registration and prospective attendees, and provides assistance at meetings, and resolves issues. Liaises with the Events team to arrange food and beverage and supporting services for meetings. Provides support for Council events (virtual, hybrid, or in-person), sometimes requiring early morning or evening hours. Examples may be registrations, ushering, greeting, monitoring social media channels, etc.

• Financial: Prepares and processes invoices and financial paperwork, confirming accuracy of details such as cost center assignments, computations, and supporting documentation.  Creates and updates financial records and files

• Intern: Supervises one intern per term, including selection, training, and ongoing supervision; adapts intern tasks regularly to ensure that they meet team needs

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Participates collaboratively with the Council’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies. 

• Other: Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, nutrition, food, or a related field is preferred
• 2+ years’ experience performing administrative or project management duties
• Exceptional attention to detail, time-management, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously; thrives in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Experience organizing and managing events, both online and in-person
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to professionally interact with high-level stakeholders and experts
• Superior verbal and written communication skills (editorial and proofreading), including the ability to communicate complex concepts and topics clearly, thoroughly, and succinctly

Council Benefit Highlights

There are many benefits to working at the Council, including a flexible remote/in-office work environment, half-day summer Fridays, paid parental leave, employer-subsidized medical/dental/vision insurance, generous paid time off, retirement match, mobile phone stipend, commuter accessible, fitness center membership, and more.