Program Manager OSI - Open Society Institute

Budapest, Hungary

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 Open Society Roma Initiatives, a group of coordinating, grantmaking, and operational programs within the Open Society Foundations, are dedicated to promoting the equality and integration of Europe’s largest ethnic minority. The Roma Initiatives facilitate dialogue and exchange to enhance the grantmaking and knowledge of Open Society programs that work with Roma communities. In the area of grantmaking, the Roma Initiatives provide general institutional development grants to Roma nongovernmental organizations and grants for specific projects addressing the empowerment of Roma, especially among in youth and women; more effective policy advocacy and civic accountability mechanisms toward governments; and more mutually positive attitudes and forms of co-existence.

BASE AND REPORTING

Based in Budapest, the Program Manager will work under the supervision of the Director of Roma Initiatives. The Program Manager will provide strategic leadership in the development and management of Roma youth-related programming in support of the overall Roma Initiatives strategy.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management

• Articulate intellectual and policy analysis on issues concerning Roma youth and further develop the Roma Initiatives’ strategic vision for providing leadership skills and expertise to Roma youth;
• Manage programming for individual support to Roma youth, such as internships, fellowships, and academic knowledge- and skills-based programs, as well as support to civil society organizations led by young Roma;
• Further develop and coordinate initiatives related to strengthening pride, identity and civic activism among Roma youth;
• Manage grantmaking concerning Roma youth in the context of the Roma Initiatives’ strategic priorities mentioned above;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of tools for measuring the longer-term impact of support provided to Roma youth;
• Work closely with other Open Society Foundations programmatic, geographic and advocacy entities on the exchange of experience, joint programming and advocacy related to Roma youth, providing input on design, delivery, monitoring and evaluation;
• Conceptualize, convene and facilitate meetings and workshops among partners, grantees, experts and other stakeholders for learning, exchange and advocacy-related purposes;
• Perform duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

Public Communications

• Contribute to and produce articles and publications related to Roma youth activities supported by the Roma Initiatives;
• Represent the Roma Initiatives and youth-related programming at meetings, conferences, workshops and in relation to other international organizations as needed.

The job description will be revisited six months after its finalization and inception.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum graduate degree in social sciences, policy, law or a related field;
• Experience working with Roma, especially youth, and significant understanding of contemporary issues of concern to Roma youth;
• At least 5 years of experience in project management;
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation;
• Complete fluency in English with excellent writing, editorial, and oral skills;
• Dynamic self-starter, a good team player, with an ability to work both independently and with others;
• Knowledge of Romani language and other languages where the Roma Initiatives work are pluses;
• Readiness for frequent international travel.

TO APPLY: Please send curriculum vitae, cover letter and salary expectations to applications@admingroup.hu indicating “RI/PM” in the subject line.

Application deadline: August 31, 2012

For more information about the Roma Initiatives, please see http://www.soros.org/about/programs/roma-initiatives.

The Open Society Foundations are an Equal Opportunity Employer which supports diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.