Deadline: 30 January 2016
Open Society Foundations (OSF) is currently seeking applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Program Officer in New York or Washington DC, United States.
The Program Officer will be responsible for implementing, monitoring and helping to develop and evaluate the program strategy to realize human rights in Latin America through democratic participation.
The OSF works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people.
Key Jobs Responsibilities
The Program Officer will perform the following functions-
- Participate in the development of overall program strategy and conduct research to support program design.
- Analyze and assess institutional strengths and limitations of grantee and prospective grantee organizations.
- Provide relevant analysis and feedback to grantees to develop and finalize grant proposals.
- Review grant proposals and write grant recommendations as part of the grant approval process.
- Monitor grants and maintain regular contact with grantees, contractors and other stakeholders, including through regular site visits to assess grantee capacity and the progress of grants.
- Prepare and participate in assessments and evaluation of the effectiveness of program strategies, including reviews of program portfolios.
- Analyze financial and budget information, including the review and assessment of narrative and financial information of grantees.
- Assist in the planning, development and monitoring of annual budget.
- In coordination with regional director and division directors, engage in direct advocacy, or provide strategic support and feedback to grantees and allies involved in advocacy.
- Work with the regional director and division directors to ensure close collaboration with other OSF programs and to identify opportunities for complementary programming.
- Facilitate effective and coordinated engagement of OSF programs for assigned geographic priority countries.
- Practice a culture of learning and continual improvement, contributing to peer learning, reflection, evaluation and assessment of results.
- Join or lead ad hoc working groups assembled to address specific issues, including responding to unforeseen opportunities or challenges.
- Interact with OSF operational departments and manage internal processes to achieve program goals and to advance organizational objectives.
- Frequent travel required.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have-
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university; advanced degree in a relevant discipline strongly preferred.
- Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience working in a relevant field; or equivalent combination of education, experience and accomplishment.
- Extensive knowledge of current issues, actors and dynamics related to human rights in Latin America; in addition, knowledge of issues, actors and dynamics related citizen security and drug policy reform in Latin America preferred.
- A sophisticated understanding of the interplay between media, politics, and policy as tools for social change.
- Substantial prior work within a civil society organization or government institution in Latin America.
- Fluency in Spanish, with excellent written and spoken English; Portuguese proficiency is a plus.
- Demonstrated commitment to open society values of human rights, transparency and accountability, and democratic governance.
- Demonstrated success in advancing social change strategies, including planning and making changes in response to an evolving situation.
- Experience in grant making or advocacy, or demonstrated project management experience, including managing consultants and project budgets, preferred.
- Familiarity with the issues surrounding good grant-making, including an understanding of the power dynamics in the grantee/grant-maker relationship, and ability to handle this relationship properly and respectfully.
- Strong organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their resume and cover letter through online process.
For more information please visit OSF.
