Program Assistant

Company Profile:Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.Description:Nearly 2.5 billion people live on less than $2 a day. For one person in eight, hunger is a constant, potentially deadly, companion. The vast majority of the poor also lack access to the most basic financial services and only a tiny minority have access to the Internet. The foundation's Global Development Program is working with motivated partners to create opportunities for people to lift themselves out of poverty and hunger. Our strategy is focused. Because most of the world's poorest people rely directly on agriculture, we support efforts to help small farmers improve crop production and market access. Because loans, insurance, and savings can help people weather setbacks and build assets, we facilitate access to financial services for the poor. And because information can change lives, we support free public access to computers connected to the Internet. We also support a range of learning opportunities, including potential new areas of long-term giving, and we respond to emergencies through our Special Initiatives grantmaking.The Program Assistant is a key member of the Agricultural Development team, and provides a wide and varied range of administrative and organizational support to the Market Access Team . Efficiency, attention to detail, flexibility and good judgment to ensure smooth operations of the team are critical in this role. Primary responsibilities are listed below. Provide a wide variety of administrative support including complex calendar management, event planning, document creation and organization and maintenance of files including: • Scheduling a high volume of appointments and meetings, managing complex calendars, and making occasional travel arrangements. • Maintaining an organized system of tracking, monitoring, and prioritizing tasks and projects. • Assistance in scheduling and planning for events, such as meetings, conferences, and presentations, which may include coordinating arrangements for participants, handling logistics, preparing and disseminating materials. • Creation, update and/or maintenance of organized files and records. • Compilation and processing expense reports, reimbursements, and check requests, accurately and timely. Provides communications support and assistance to ensure timely responses to inquiries including: • Acting as liaison for team with internal partners, answering questions and routing requests appropriately. • Taking and distributing minutes of meetings. Work proactively and take initiative to support the varying needs of the teamQualifications:• A minimum of 2 years work experience in an office setting, preferably in an administrative role for a complex and fast-paced organization, interacting intensively with internal and external contacts.• Bachelors degree is preferred.• Experience setting priorities and meeting deadlines while balancing the needs of providing support for multiple individuals, including calendar management, travel arrangements, and event planning coordination.• Excellent oral and written communication skills in an environment requiring diplomacy and good judgment in managing interactions with individuals at all levels inside and outside an organization.• Demonstrated effectiveness meeting deadlines in a role requiring continual attention to detail in composing, typing, and proofing materials.• Experience establishing organizational systems to improve efficiency and functioning in a changing environment.• Demonstrated proficiency with MSWord, Outlook, Excel, Visio and PowerPoint is required. Previous experience using MicroEdge GIFTS and MS SharePoint preferred, but not required. Experience in learning and mastering new software applications.• Demonstrated positive, collaborative approach to work, including a commitment to client-service and problem solving.Salary/Benefits: Salary commensurate with experienceJob Location: Seattle, WAJob Number: 901BRCompany URL: http://www.gatesfoundation.org