Chief Program Officer (Volunteer)

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Chief Program Officer (Volunteer)

Organization Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Division Programs, Education & Community Impact

Location New York City and/or Remote via Google Meet

Type Volunteer (Unpaid)

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a New York City nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability. Through mentorship, academic enrichment, literacy development, social-emotional learning, creative expression, leadership programs, and community partnerships, MAP creates safe, consistent, and empowering spaces where young people can thrive.

Our programs span in-person and virtual environments, including MAP Roots, MAP Connect, youth leadership initiatives, storytelling and media projects, and enrichment programs designed in partnership with schools, shelters, and community organizations.

Why This Role Matters

The Chief Program Officer (CPO) is responsible for ensuring that MAP’s programs are youth-centered, trauma-informed, equitable, and operationally sound . This role exists to protect program quality as MAP grows—making sure expansion never comes at the expense of care, consistency, or integrity.

The CPO serves as a strategic leader, steward of program values, and partner to executive leadership, staff, volunteers, schools, and community stakeholders.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight across all MAP programs and initiatives.
• Ensure programs are aligned with MAP’s mission, values, and long-term vision.
• Support program design that is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate.
• Oversee program planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Program Directors, Coordinators, and Leads to ensure clarity, support, and accountability.
• Establish clear program standards, outcomes, and quality assurance practices.
• Partner with Policy, Advocacy, HR, and Operations teams to ensure compliance, safety, and sustainability.
• Support data-informed decision-making while honoring lived experience and qualitative outcomes.
• Represent MAP programs in conversations with schools, shelters, funders, and community partners.
• Mentor program leaders and contribute to leadership development across teams.
• Check and respond to emails daily, with responses within 48 hours.
• Take responsibility for performance improvement by integrating feedback and strengthening systems over time.

How MAP Supports You

• Clear leadership scope and decision-making authority
• Collaborative executive team and shared leadership culture
• Respect for time, capacity, and boundaries
• Transparent communication and organizational alignment
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• The trust to lead thoughtfully—not reactively

What We’re Looking For

• Senior experience in program leadership, education, youth development, nonprofit management, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed and equity-centered program design.
• Experience managing complex, multi-program initiatives.
• Ability to lead with empathy, clarity, and accountability.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and systems-thinking skills.
• Commitment to youth dignity, volunteer care, and ethical leadership.

Bonus (Not Required)

• Experience working with housing-insecure or system-impacted youth
• Familiarity with NYC education, shelter, or youth-serving systems
• Background in evaluation, policy, or advocacy
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish or Haitian Creole preferred)

Commitment & Boundaries

• Volunteer role, approximately 8–12 hours per week
• Minimum 6–12 month commitment preferred
• Hybrid New York City and/or remote via Google Meet
• We prioritize sustainability over burnout

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

For any additional questions or concerns, please email us directly at [email protected]

Lead with care — help ensure that every MAP program reflects dignity, consistency, and opportunity for the youth we serve.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, our volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals who are based in the United States. This limitation is due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements associated with our work. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.