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Program Manager - Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Employer
Open Society Foundations
Location
New York, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Closing date
Sep 2, 2022

Program Manager - Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Competitive rates of pay apply + excellent benefits

Washington D.C. / New York

Do you want to help make the world a better place with your expertise on grantmaking and project management?

We’re seeking a Program Manager based in Washington D.C. or New York to be responsible for MENA's US-based programming around constituency building, campaigning, and general advocacy to contest the problem authoritarianism in MENA.

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We are active in more than 120 countries, making us the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.

The Middle East and North Africa Program is the central regional program working on all MENA issues, headquartered in Amman. The regional program also has a sub-regional office in Tunis, with staff located in Amman, Tunis, New York, London and Washington, DC, and supports a diverse group of local civil society organizations, research centers, universities, and media organizations across the Middle East.

As a Program Manager at Open Society, you will:

  • Design and implement MENA's strategy to contest authoritarian power through grant-making, and other tools that includes advocacy, policy work, communications, fellowships, and scholarships.
  • Design targeted interventions and campaigns; identify high potential new partners or lines of work that further strategic goals; manage budgets for the efficient allocation of program resources; review and assess grant applications and make funding recommendations.
  • Convene human rights and diaspora actors to develop strategies and campaigns around priority MENA issues.
  • Conduct institutional outreach within the US (i.e. with donors, governmental/intergovernmental/multilateral agencies) in support of advocacy goals of partner groups.
  • Manage partnerships with intermediary MENA advocacy groups based in the US and ensure proper coordination with OSF teams.
  • Monitor and evaluate strategy goals and grant portfolios; monitors grantees’ work through site visits and desk research.

What we are looking for:

  • Knowledge of Middle East politics, international relations of MENA, and of groups working on human rights and transnational activism related to the region.
  • Experience with developing/designing campaigns, advocacy, policy research, and working collaboratively with partners and allies to develop new areas of work.
  • Experience in coalition/network-building among civil society groups towards shared goals and actions.
  • Excellent writing and project management skills; experience with grantmaking a plus.
  • Ability to work efficiently to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment, and ability to adapt to shifting priorities.
  • Knowledge of key organizations and networks active in the field.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and social justice.
  • Effectively work as a team member and independently, with a high-level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals.
  • Willingness to travel frequently, both domestically and internationally.
  • Excellent written and oral English and Arabic, working knowledge of French and Farsi is desired.
  • Commitment to listening and working with humility; ways of working that are respectful to all people; and that support space and voice for all diverse perspectives in our workplace.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and social justice.

What we offer:

  • Ample opportunities to learn and grow, from annual professional development allowances to onsite trainings and learning conversations with visiting experts.
  • Top-notch benefits and perks designed for your well-being and a healthy work-life balance. With some variability according to location, this includes generous time off, flexible work arrangements, employer-paid health insurance, generous retirement savings plan, progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, sabbatical opportunities, and much more.
  • A commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to bring their full self to work and make a positive impact on the world.

If this sounds like the position you have been looking for, please submit your cover letter and CV; we look forward to learning more about you.

Closing date: 3 September 2022.

Please note, this position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

Open Society requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 unless an employee requires a reasonable accommodation for medical reasons or for a sincerely held religious belief. If you may require an accommodation, please apply for any roles that interest you and if hired, you will receive information on how to request a reasonable accommodation related to Open Society’s vaccination requirement.

We aim to build an inclusive workforce that is reflective of the populations we support, and actively seek applications from those who are marginalized and underrepresented. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

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