Program Coordinator , Open Society Foundation–London

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people.

We seek to strengthen the rule of law; respect for human rights, minorities, and a diversity of opinions; democratically elected governments; and a civil society that helps keep government power in check.

We help to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights.

We implement initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media.

We build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information.

Working in every part of the world, the Open Society Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.

Based on the belief that social change ultimately depends on individual citizens making informed choices from a thoughtful, ethical, and humane perspective, the Open Society Scholarship Programs aim to bolster critical thinking, free and open intellectual inquiry, innovative and responsible problem-solving, cross-cultural tolerance and respect, and a nuanced understanding of the complex challenges to an open society.

OSF is currently recruiting for a Program Coordinator position for the Scholarship Programs based in London.

Purpose of Position

Provide administrative support/functions to Program/Department.  Work is carried out independently/under general supervision.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following.  OSF may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.

• Participate in the creation, approval, declination and managing of individual grants;
• Participate in the interviews of the individual grant process;
• Negotiate and prepare terms of consulting arrangements;
• Coordinate programs special research projects, on-going programmatic needs and grant-making portfolio;
• Draft/edit correspondence and memoranda, letters to grant applicants, individual grant documentation and dockets;
• Monitor individual grants through review of narrative and financial reports and other communication with grantees;
• Oversight of grantees work, capacity building and institutional building with grantees;
• Liaise with national foundations and through country visits, perform site visits of prospective and current grantees while providing professional representation;
• Provide presentations on thematic/regional/programmatic subjects as requested;
• When travelling, manage logistics and organization of meetings;
• Conduct research using web tools to search public sources, as well as conducting research on issues, organizations and other matters and compile that research into concise, relevant material;
• As needed, contribute blogs, publications and articles on program related subject matters;
• Provide support related to the program team, in conjunction with the other members of the support team; assist with logistics, travel arrangements, materials and other aspects of publications and meetings;
• Draft internal correspondence, meeting agendas and other materials;
• Provide general administrative support to the program;
• Travel may be required;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience

Bachelor’s degree and several years of relevant experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• NGO or foundation experience/interest in human rights preferred;
• Experience implementing systems in philanthropic organizations and/or not-for-profits preferred.

Skills Required

• Proven ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment; to troubleshoot and follow projects through to completion, consistently on schedule, without loss of attention to detail and budget;
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Office and experience with internet research;
• Excellent listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication differences;
• Show discretion and ability to handle confidential issues;
• High level of self-motivation and at ease working independently when necessary;
• Poised, work well under pressure and attentive to detail;
• Flexibility and willingness to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks;
• Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with senior management, co-workers and the general public.

Program Specific Requirements

• Familiarity with international Higher Education systems
• Additional European languages- Russia, French or German preferred
• Data entry on grantee/alumni information, producing data reports
• Ability to quickly learn grant and financial systems

Compensation

Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

Application Instructions

Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements before December 31, 2012, to: recruitment-ia@osf-eu.org  Include job code in subject line: PCNSP.