Program Officer

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 Think Tank Fund (TTF) is a thematic program of the Open Society Foundations that supports independent policy research centers to strengthen democratic processes by identifying political, economic and social problems, researching them in a non-partisan and policy relevant way and providing policy alternatives that enrich public debate. TTF also examines the various roles and functions that think tanks play in the political and policy arenas. As such, it serves as a knowledge hub and advocate for evidence-informed policy research. TTF pursues this mission through operational and grant making programs with global coverage.

Purpose of Position

The program officer will contribute to the development, administration, and evaluation of grant portfolios and selected operational activities pertaining to TTF’s initiative on tackling fear, the security mindset, and “othering” (the process of portraying and enforcing portrayal of non-majority populations as irreconcilably foreign, alien, or “other”) of the Roma population, and spearhead demonstration projects countering state capture within the Fund’s second initiative. S/he will also contribute to the joint work with Open Society Initiative for Europe.

The position requires cooperation and coordination with other colleagues in implementing operational programs, and support and oversight of think tanks in their implementation of supported projects. In order to be effective in this position, the program officer must stay abreast of relevant developments in the thematic and research fields, and target countries related to the grant portfolios and the program’s work.

The program officer reports directly to the senior program manager in charge of the TTF’s initiatives.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The program officer, with guidance from the senior program manager, will:

• Ensure effective grants management of the Think Tank Fund portfolios, being involved as necessary in background research, project review, development and evaluation. The program officer will review project proposals and prepare summaries for discussion with the director; will assist the senior program manager in preparations, presentations, and follow up of the TTF’s initiatives at the regular meetings of the Think Tank Fund Advisory Board and senior management grant portfolio reviews; will support the senior program manager in communication with the network representatives and grantees to follow up on ongoing and proposed projects; will maintain communication with applicants and grantees to support projects through to completion; will secure proper grant administration of the projects under her/his supervision; and will regularly update the senior program manager of the progress in the portfolios;
• Support the senior program manager (and if needed other members of the program and the program director) in the organization of capacity-building events for think tanks. The program officer will support the development of operational programs as well as provide all necessary support in the planning and management of consultancy contracts and events;
• Support the senior program manager with administration and logistics necessary for the effective management of the relevant grant portfolios within Think Tank Fund;
• Coordinate the preparation of materials for the Think Tank Fund Advisory Board and senior management, organize meetings, and provide support as necessary in ensuring appropriate documentation of the meetings.

Communication

• Support the senior program manager in representing the Think Tank Fund’s own initiatives in the Open Society Foundations network both internally both vis-à-vis program staff and management;
• Take part in communicating Think Tank Fund priorities, Think Tank Fund Advisory Board, and senior management decisions and program information to the Open Society Foundations network as well as to independent policy centers interesting in funding and cooperation with the Fund;
• When needed, support the program director in maintaining and developing the program’s external relations with international organizations and project organizers through meetings, visits and correspondence. As appropriate and in consultation with the senior program manager, the program officer should be prepared to negotiate with these external contacts on behalf of the Fund and to facilitate cooperation.

Financial Reporting

• Administer relevant grants in coordination with the senior program manager and Open Society grants, legal, and budget departments. The program officer will work closely with grantees, financial, grants, and accounting departments to ensure procedural compliance. The program officer will also provide support to the senior program manager and prepare required documentation to the program assistant in administering program grants and grant portfolios.

Administration and Documentation

• Provide grant administration for the projects under his/her direct supervision;
• Provide general administrative support for the program, including data entry in electronic grants and finance management systems, email, filing, and assigned office management tasks;
• Support the organization of meetings and other events;
• Contribute to development and preparation of program documentation, reporting, and evaluation materials.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, (sociology, psychology, anthropology; or political science, economy, public policy). Master’s degree in a relevant field is a plus;
• Minimum three years of relevant experience required;
• General knowledge of European Union affairs; specific knowledge on work countering xenophobia, discrimination, “othering,” and “desecuritization”;
• Familiarity with the policy research and the world of policy advice including think tanks. Advanced knowledge of, and demonstrated interest in research methodologies, data analysis, and data visualizations is an asset.

Skills Required

• Fluent written and oral English required; working knowledge of French is an asset;
• Standard office computer skills required. Comfortable independent user level of MS Excel, Word. Knowledge of SalesForce, NetSuite, and other software is an asset;
• Ability to compose effective, thoughtful, and sensitive correspondence;
• Superior interpersonal, written, and organizational skills;
• Ability to manage effectively simultaneous activities in a fast-paced environment and to prioritize accordingly;
• Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with external partners, grantees, co-workers, and senior management;
• Integrity and professional discretion;
• Willingness to travel.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefit package.

Application Instructions

Please send applications in English, including a cover letter and curriculum vitae, by February 9, 2014, to applications_bp@admingroup.hu. Include job code in the subject line: TTF-Program Officer.