Program Officer - Education Support Program

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 Education Support Program (ESP) is a global Program that operates in Asia, Africa, North America, South America, and Europe. ESP works collaboratively and co-funds Programs with twenty national and regional foundations. Additionally, ESP cooperates with a network of over 200 organizations in the Open Society Foundations’ education universe, utilizing a plethora of competencies to further its’ mission in education; policy research and knowledge production, advocacy, demonstration piloting, network-building, capacity building and resource mobilization. The priorities of the Education Support Program (ESP) are shaped by a mission to further education justice. This provides a largely ‘political’ lens through which to address issues of inequality and discrimination within the education sector while attending to inherent systemic, professional and resource challenges. Additionally, ESP staff are spread across a range of locations; Belgrade, Bishkek, Budapest, Cluj, London and New York.

ESP is seeking to recruit a Program Officer to coordinate and develop its efforts to advance critical thinking as a core component of sound education reforms and a necessity for developing and sustaining open societies. The Program Officer will be based in the NY office and have the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Director of Special Projects to develop a coordinated strategy to promote the role of critical thinking in creating and maintaining open societies;
• Liaise with relevant OSI departments and programs to develop coherent advocacy strategies and initiatives related to critical thinking;
• Liaise with national foundations and through country visits; perform site visits of prospective and current grantees;
• Liaise with program consultants and area specialists to identify opportunities for new projects or prospective grantees;
• Assist in developing grantmaking strategy, priorities, and guidelines;
• Work with applicants to develop and finalize grant proposals;
• Monitor grants through review of narrative and financial reports and other communication with grantees.

Qualifications:

• Minimum five years of work experience in NGO program management, experience working in Latin American or MENA a plus;
• Graduate degree in education, curriculum development, or related field;
• Background in international affairs, teacher development, human rights, and/or civil society important;
• Experience developing formal or non-formal programs related to critical thinking or critical pedagogy;
• Experience working with civil society organizations and/or global networks;
• Excellent written and oral English. Knowledge of relevant foreign language(s) is a plus, particularly Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, and Urdu;
• Flexibility and willingness to work simultaneously and independently on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks;
• Superior interpersonal, written and organizational skills and ability to compose effective, thoughtful correspondence;
• High level of organization and self-motivation;
• Attentiveness to detail and ability to work well under pressure;
• Integrity, professional discretion and ability to handle confidential matters;
• Ability to travel internationally when required.

Start Date: Immediately

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

To Apply:
Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements before August 6, 2011, to: humanresources@sorosny.org Include job code in subject line: PO – ESP

OR

Open Society Foundations
Human Resources – Code PO – ESP
400 West 59th Street
New York, New York 10019

FAX: 212.548.4675

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