POSITION AVAILABLE – PROGRAM OFFICER
OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS / U.S. PROGRAMS
New York, NY
Democracy and Power Fund
August 2011
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.
OSF’s U.S. Programs supports people and organizations that advance a more open society within the United States and around the world. U.S. Programs envisions a society that allows all people to participate actively and equitably in political, economic, and cultural life; encourages diverse opinions and critical debate on public issues; protects fundamental human rights, dignity, and the rule of law; and promotes broadly shared prosperity and human security. U.S. Programs supports grantmaking, programming, and policy initiatives to reduce the over-reliance on incarceration and punishment; to secure equal justice; to develop new leaders and encourage civic engagement, especially among people and communities who have been historically underrepresented; and to increase the transparency, integrity and accountability of institutions vital to open society. U.S. Programs is also currently spearheading special initiatives to restore human rights and secure progressive national security policies, and to advance opportunities for African American boys and men.
The Democracy and Power Fund develops grantmaking strategies that are informed by the expertise of community and advocacy leaders and makes investments in multi-issue advocacy and organizing organizations. These organizations advance strategies to expand access to democracy for all and build power to advance lasting social and systemic change. In partnership with its grantees, the Fund seeks to inspire public participation through grassroots organizing and non-partisan voter engagement; leadership development and youth engagement; innovative social engagement through arts, culture, and social media; and idea generation, with a particular emphasis on confronting structural inequality and expanding economic opportunity. The Fund prioritizes multi-year, general operating support for organizations that are bridge builders between communities, constituencies, sectors, and layers of governance and that work on multiple issues to advance open society policies in the U.S. The Fund prioritizes support for organizations and alliances that seek to inspire public participation from people of color, immigrant, low-income, and youth constituencies and, while funding primarily supports national organizations, the Fund has recently launched state-based funding efforts to support open society organizations in North Carolina and Texas.
Position Description:
Based in the New York office, the Program Officer will work closely with the Program Director to support the Democracy and Power Fund’s programmatic goals, engaging in strategy development and oversight of grant activities. The Program Officer will be one of two within the Democracy and Power Fund and will be part of a close-knit five person staff team.
Responsibilities:
· Works with the Program Director to develop grantmaking strategies, priorities, and guidelines;
· Serves as lead program liaison to key subsets of the Democracy and Power Fund’s civic engagement grantmaking portfolio, including non-partisan voter participation at the national level and state-based civic engagement work;
· Reviews letters of inquiry and grant proposals, conducts site visits, and drafts grant funding recommendations as part of grant docket preparation process;
· Ensures that grantees submit narrative and financial reports as required under the terms of grant agreements;
· Monitors grants through site visits and review of narrative and financial reports;
· Manages financial and budget reports to track grant and program development spending;
· Writes and edits program materials and guidelines;
· Participates in the development, planning, and organization of program-related events;
· Stays abreast of developments in the field through research, dialogue with key thought partners, and convenings;
· Writes strategy/position papers that provide direction on policy issues impacting the field and/or offers suggestions about strategic program development for funders and grantees;
· Interacts with grantees and other field professionals and participates in program- and field-related meetings and convenings;
· Builds and establishes strategic relationships within OSF and with other philanthropic partners; and
· Performs occasional special assignments, including participation in U.S. Programs and foundation task forces and working groups.
Reporting: This position reports to the Program Director of the Democracy and Power Fund.
Qualifications:
· College degree; advanced degree preferred and at least five years of professional experience in the social justice field through: civic engagement, voter participation, grassroots organizing, issue advocacy, or legal advocacy work. Experience in grantmaking is helpful but not required.
· Ability to connect a variety of issues to broader trends and shifting advocacy climates.
· Strong awareness of the social change organizational ecosystem and the relationships that currently exist or could exist among sectors, organizations, constituencies, and communities.
· Excellent writing, verbal, and organizational skills and attention to detail.
· Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
· Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen effectively.
· Self-starter with ability to set and meet goals.
· Creative thinker with strong analytical skills.
· Ability to work effectively as part of a close knit, collaborative team.
· Strong awareness of the intersection of race, gender, and class issues and identities.
· Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition with colleagues at all levels and the general public.
· Ability to travel within the U.S. on a regular basis, perhaps up to 25% of time.
· Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint preferred).
Salary: Commensurate with experience, excellent benefits
Start Date: As soon as possible; Negotiable
Application Deadline: September 7, 2011
To Apply:
Email resume, cover letter and salary requirements, on or before to humanresources@sorosny.org. Include job code in subject line: PO/USP-DP
OR
Open Society Foundations
Human Resources – Code PO/USP-DP
400 West 59th Street
New York, New York 10019
Fax: 646.557.2494
No phone calls, please. The Open Society Foundations is an Equal Opportunity Employer.