Summer Associate, Strategic Learning & Impact

The Rockefeller Foundation is seeking a Summer Associate for our Strategic Learning & Impact team.

We value our Summer Associates and want to invest in and mentor future leaders who will grow personally and professionally and create an impact in the social sector. As a Summer Associate at The Rockefeller Foundation, you will have the chance to contribute to our initiatives through engaging, meaningful work assignments. 

Program Details

• This position is open to graduate students only.
• A cover letter is required.
• The 2025 summer program will run for 11 weeks from June – August 2025.
• This position will be based in New York City with a hybrid schedule. 

Pay Range: $30 - $35 hourly rate. This represents the present low and high end of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience. This is a non-exempt position and thus eligible for overtime pay. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Climate monitoring, evaluation, and learning: Develop intelligence (e.g. landscape reports, stakeholder mapping, methodology reviews, etc.) on best practices for measuring and evaluating the impact of interventions that seek to reduce carbon emissions, improve biodiversity, soil, etc., and/or support people’s adaptive capacity to climate change. 
• Impact reporting: Create questionnaires, stakeholder lists, etc. to help The Rockefeller Foundation understand readers’ perceptions and feedback on its annual impact report; synthesize the results and recommendations from the inquiry
• Grant or portfolio-specific MEL: Support SL&I, program teams, and grantees on specific MEL workstreams—such as developing theories of change, measurement frameworks, strategic learning questions, knowledge dissemination plans, etc. (projects to be determined based on team need and the summer associate’s expertise)
• Knowledge management: Curate and maintain the SL&I team’s internal resource hub with key guidance documents and examples

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program in one of the following areas: international development, international relations, public policy, public health, education, economics, business, technology, or a related field.
• Monitoring, evaluation, strategic learning, strategy development, and/or strategic planning experience in the philanthropic, not-for-profit, and/or private sectors.
• Comfort analyzing, synthesizing, visualizing, and communicating complex information (both quantitative and qualitative) pragmatically and compellingly to a wide range of audiences.
• Content expertise in one or more of the Foundation’s areas of programmatic work including climate, energy, public health, food systems and nutrition, innovative finance, and economic opportunity preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Monday.com, and data visualization software preferred, and the ability to learn new applications quickly.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Must be a proactive self-starter. 

• Must be authorized to work in the United States. 
• Committed to the mission of the Foundation.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bias for action: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.  
• Communicates effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. 
• Decision quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. 
• Plans and aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. 
• Values differences: Recognizes the value of different perspectives and commits to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.

As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We operate from a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything that we do. It is not only the right thing to do – we could not make an impact without our team members' diverse perspectives and experiences. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices. 

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status. 

The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.