The Rockefeller Foundation has announced an exciting opportunity for graduate students to join its Strategic Learning & Impact (SL&I) team as a Summer Associate in 2025. This program is designed to nurture future leaders through engaging and meaningful work, enabling participants to contribute to initiatives that drive impactful change in the social sector.
Program Overview
The Summer Associate role offers a hybrid work schedule based in New York City and spans 11 weeks, from June to August 2025. This paid opportunity provides a competitive hourly rate ranging from $30 to $35, with overtime eligibility.
Graduate students with a passion for making a difference in areas such as climate change, public health, and economic opportunity are encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities
Summer Associates will contribute to critical areas of the Foundation’s work, including:
- Climate Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL):
- Developing intelligence on best practices for evaluating interventions that reduce carbon emissions, enhance biodiversity, and support climate adaptation.
- Impact Reporting:
- Creating tools like questionnaires and stakeholder lists to gather feedback on the Foundation’s annual impact report and synthesizing results into actionable recommendations.
- Grant/Portfolio-Specific MEL:
- Supporting program teams with developing theories of change, measurement frameworks, strategic learning questions, and knowledge dissemination plans.
- Knowledge Management:
- Curating and maintaining the SL&I team’s internal resource hub with essential guidance documents and examples.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- Enrolled in a graduate program in fields such as international development, public policy, public health, education, or related areas.
- Experience in monitoring, evaluation, strategy development, or strategic planning, preferably in the philanthropic or nonprofit sectors.
- Strong skills in analyzing and communicating complex quantitative and qualitative data.
- Proficiency in tools like MS Excel, PowerPoint, Monday.com, and data visualization software.
- Content expertise in the Foundation’s programmatic focus areas (e.g., climate, energy, public health).
- Authorization to work in the United States.
Desired Competencies
The ideal candidate will:
- Exhibit a proactive approach to tackling challenges with energy and enthusiasm.
- Communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
- Demonstrate sound decision-making and strategic planning abilities.
- Value diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of their work.
About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a global philanthropic organization committed to advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis. Through initiatives in food systems, health, energy, and finance, the Foundation fosters transformative change to improve lives and communities worldwide.
Guided by values of transparency, optimism, accountability, collaboration, trust, and equity, the Foundation champions diversity and inclusion as core principles of its mission.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
The Rockefeller Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, ensuring a fair and inclusive workplace for all. The organization upholds compliance with federal, state, and local laws regarding employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Application Requirements:
- Open to graduate students only.
- A cover letter is required.
This is an excellent opportunity for aspiring leaders to gain hands-on experience in the social sector and make a tangible impact on critical global issues.
For more details, click here.
