Program Officer, New Technologies

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.

The Transparency and Accountability Initiative (T/AI) is a donor collaborative that aims to expand the impact, scale and coordination of funding and activity in the transparency and accountability field.

T/AI’s membership is made up of eight leading funders that includes private foundations, a leading bilateral donor and regranting NGOs: Ford Foundation, Hivos, International Budget Partnership, Omidyar Network, Open Society Foundations, Revenue Watch Institute, United Kingdom Department for International Development and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Other funders support one of the specific workstreams. T/AI is hosted by OSF in the London office.

Purpose of Position

The Transparency and Accountability Initiative is seeking a program officer with a passion for strengthening the effective use of information technologies to improve transparency, accountability and participation (TAP), primarily focussed on governments and companies. The Program Officer will lead one of the three T/AI workstreams. This is a field-strengthening position, providing a unique opportunity to work across the TAP and governance areas as a whole. The focus is on building more rigorous knowledge about when, how and what it takes for new tech to add real value to existing approaches and to develop transformational new ones for genuine impact. Even more importantly, it’s about getting that learning applied by practitioners, funders and capacity builders. Work is carried out independently/under general supervision.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

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

• Provide strategic and results-orientated leadership to the Transparency and Accountability Initiative’s New Tech workstream;
• Establish, run and promote the T/AI Thinkshop on Tech for T/A to stimulate awareness and exchanges on developments in learning in the tech for T/A field;
• Prepare research in ways that ensures buy-in to the question and the findings;
• Plan and manage face-to-face learning workshops;
• Develop ways to strengthen effective funding approaches to ‘ Tech for T/A’;
• Manage the spin off T/AI’s TABridge network , TA bridge sessions and mentoring program in a way that multiplies sources of support;
• Spot and develop new ideas that will add significant value to New Tech development in the T/A field and develop additional funder/partner interest;
• Liaise and collaborate with the Initiative’s other workstreams on a pro active basis;
• Communicate this work and the vision of the initiative among partners, external players and/or events, through the T/AI websites, social media, etc;
• Assist in the planning and developing of annual budget, manage financial and budget reports to track grant and program spending and provide regular reports to meet internal reporting needs for members and funders.

Other

• Travel will be required;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor's degree and several years’ relevant experience and/or training;  
• Master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred; PhD is desirable.

Skills Required

• Knowledge/experience in the ‘new tech for governance and/or T/A’ field and an ability to ‘bridge’ between ‘techies’ and ‘non-techies’;
• Knowledge of and experience in evaluation and research methodologies, including a robust understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches and relative strengths. Experience in ‘translating’ research for non-academic audiences, and commissioning research;
• Experience in stimulating interest in, & supporting the application of, learning;
• Experience in scoping/developing/spinning off initiatives to new homes. Experience of raising funds for such activities preferred;
• Proven ability to think strategically, to innovate and respond to new opportunities; Exceptional interpersonal skills, including relationship building and collaboration development. Related work with funders preferred;
• Effectively manage to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, troubleshoot and follow projects through to completion, with strict deadlines and without loss of attention to detail, budget and reporting;
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills;
• Exercise good listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication differences;
• Effectively work as a team member and independently, with a high-level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals;
• Show discretion and ability to handle confidential issues;
• Pleasant, diplomatic manner & disposition in interacting with all colleagues and contacts.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

London is the preferred location for this position but other locations will be considered.

Compensation

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits package.

Application Instructions

Please email a cover letter and CV before February 7, 2014, to recruitment-ia@opensocietyfoundations.org. Include in subject line your name, surname and job code "PO-NT application."