Deadline: 15 December 2015
Open Society Foundations (OSF) is currently seeking applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Program Officer in Amman or London, United Kingdom.
The Program Officer is responsible for contributing to, communicating, executing and helping to revise one or more complex strategies, including attention to resource issues.
The OSF works to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people.
Key Jobs Responsibilities
The Program Officer will perform the following functions-
- Responsible for all grant-making activities relating to Higher Education in the Middle East and North Africa.
- Operates autonomously and makes decisions related to authorizing/declining grants within an approved budget reflective of own field experience/expertise.
- Working within the broader program strategy designs, renews and evaluates grants and other tools for bringing about change.
- Builds collaborative relationships within and outside OSF that advance grant-making and other social change efforts within own areas (e.g., existing grantees, prospective grantees, experts in the community).
- May participate in the development of overall program strategy and conduct research for input into program design.
- Manages projects that include staff within/outside OSF which may be regional or global in nature.
- Guides the work of program and/or administrative staff in support of grant-making or other program activities.
- Responsible for strengthening connections between regional and thematic programs within the broader priorities of OSF.
- Identifying opportunities where a shared approach might have the potential to create a broader impact and in those cases, design an engagement strategy that respects each actor’s autonomy but can realize the potential of a shared approach.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have-
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study or equivalent experience/education; graduate degree preferred.
- 7 -10 years of progressively responsible experience working on issues related to higher education, and in particular in the Middle East; experience working in grant making organizations is preferred.
- Ability to speak Arabic highly desired.
- Experience and/or knowledge of Higher Education in the Middle East and North Africa and be able to use that understanding to develop a strategy for achieving the vision.
- Ability to analyze the social and political landscape in the region, and understand the roles that the universities can play to effect social change and reform.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the implications of the power differential inherent in the funder- grantee relationship, and has demonstrated an ability to handle such relationships properly and respectfully.
- Comprehensive understanding of the structure and workings of both formal and informal organizations (NGO/non-profit organizations), networks, and movements within varied contexts and as appropriate to the program is key.
- Ability to exercise measured and appropriate judgments in the interest of OSF strategies, often under circumstances in which insufficient information is available and/or the circumstances are highly volatile.
- Mastery of analytical approaches and options, and ability to formulate sound judgments on the basis of analytical work.
- Ability to direct others to effectively gather evidence and research to inform decisions or judgments.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships in OSF and in the field to further programmatic goals.
- Comprehensive, specialized knowledge in the designated field, including familiarity with current controversies/issues and leading figures/thinking, as well as substantial knowledge of organizational and project management and cross-cultural leadership.
- Ability to function effectively and inclusively in cross-cultural settings.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their applications through online process.
For more information, please visit OSF.
