Senior Capacity Building Officer Open Society Foundation–London

International Advocacy
Open Society Foundation–London

Application Deadline: February 16, 2012

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this mission, the Foundations seek to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, the Open Society Foundations implement a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, we build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. The Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros established the Open Society Foundations, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. Our activities have grown to encompass the United States and more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Each foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.

The International Advocacy Director’s (IAD) office, based in London, provides strategic support and coordination to the Foundations’ advocacy initiatives at international and regional level.

Responsibilities

The Senior Capacity Building Officer, based in London, will develop and enhance the Open Society Foundations’ agenda and advocacy activities in both geographic and thematic areas. A key function is to engage with colleagues from local foundations and thematic programmes to ensure the development, implementation, and monitoring of well-considered advocacy strategies for international advocacy efforts. The Senior Capacity Building Officer will also be responsible for coordinating and prioritising these efforts across the network, as well as providing strategic and tactical advice to colleagues.

Geographically this post relates mainly to the Middle East and North Africa and South Asia and South East Asia regions. Thematic areas include human rights, civil society and democratic institutions, conflict issues, justice and others as relevant.

This post is responsible for the development of key in-house training materials and capacity building on advocacy and strategic planning in the network. Specifically, the Senior Capacity Building Officer will:

• Develop and carry out trainings for local foundations and thematic programmes and their partners. Develop in-house training materials and training modules;
• Engage in mentoring relations with key Open Society partners;
• Work with relevant advocacy focused civil society networks on the development and implementation of advocacy tools and strategies;
• Work with civil society and other partners on identifying advocacy opportunities;
• Facilitate internal processes to define policy positions, develop advocacy strategies, and ensure effective implementation and coordination of the Foundations’ efforts in the Middle East and North Africa and South and South East Asia;
• Gather information on the policy positions of international organisations, governments and civil society partners;
• Support colleagues and partner NGOs with tactical and strategic advice on their advocacy efforts;
• Coordinate strategic planning around crisis response advocacy efforts at the international level related to the Middle East and North Africa and South and South East Asia;
• Cultivate greater involvement of all relevant Open Society Foundations network entities, especially national foundations, in advocacy efforts.

Qualifications

• Minimum Masters’ degree or equivalent preferably in international affairs, international law, international development, political science or other relevant field;
• Extensive experience living and working either in the Middle East and North Africa or South and South East Asia regions;
• A sound understanding of policy processes and effective advocacy work on local and international level;
• Experience in providing capacity building and strategic planning support to government officials or civil society organizations;
• Flexibility and knowledge to work across a broad range of open society issues in diverse regions;
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
• Outstanding written and spoken English, knowledge of French and/or Arabic preferred;
• Resilience, ability to travel extensively for work and meet strict deadlines.

Start Date

As soon as possible

Compensation

Salary range £52,000 to £55,000 per annum commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits package.

To Apply

Please send a cover letter and CV before Thursday, February 16, 2012 to: recruitment-ia@osf-eu.org and include job code in subject line: IACBO

No phone calls, please. The Open Society Foundations are an Equal Opportunity Employer.