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Program Officer - OSUN, Education and Ideas Collaborative

Employer
Open Society Foundations
Location
New York, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Closing date
Feb 17, 2023

Program Officer - OSUN, Education and Ideas Collaborative

Competitive salary + excellent benefits

Based in New York, Berlin or London

Do you want to help make the world a better place with your expertise in global higher education? We’re seeking a Program Officer based in New York, London or Berlin to contribute to and support the Open Society University Network – an initiative within the Education and Ideas Collaborative.

The Open Society Foundations works 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 Open Society University Network (OSUN) is a global network of educational institutions that integrates learning and the advancement of knowledge—in the social sciences, the humanities, the sciences and the arts, on undergraduate and graduate levels—across geographic and demographic boundaries, promotes civic engagement on behalf of open societies, and expands access to higher education for underserved communities. The OSUN team at the Open Society Foundations supports the global network in advancing its strategies, fostering and sustaining collaboration across the network, and contributing to strengthening the quality and effectiveness of the institution. https://opensocietyuniversitynetwork.org/

OSUN is a companion initiative to the Ideas Workshop - a new hub for critical thinking and inquiry at the Open Society Foundations, offering space for exploration of speculative, “over the horizon” ideas and heterodox viewpoints. Although primarily engaging on OSUN, the Program Officer is also expected to contribute and be a part of the Ideas Workshop team.

As a Program Officer at Open Society, you will:

  • Engage with and manage a portfolio of grants related to OSUN. This responsibility includes annual grant planning, assessing and providing feedback on grant proposals and budgets, writing grant recommendations, conducting organizational and project assessments, and undertaking periodic reviews of progress with grantees, including site visits and attendance of program meetings.
  • Contribute to further development and strategic directions of the existing OSUN programs and projects as well as into new bodies of work. Carry out research and scoping, as needed.
  • Communicate with and build collaborative relationships with OSUN partner institutions, project leaders and experts in the community. Provide guidance on OSF processes, procedures, and guidelines. Provide expertise, both internally and externally, to support the development of grantee organizations and projects.
  • Help conceptualize and convene meetings and strategic conversations with relevant partners. Oversee consultancy projects, as needed.
  • Maintain processes and systems for monitoring and evaluation and contribute to planning and development of annual goals and budgets.

What we are looking for:

  • The position is ideally suited to an experienced higher education professional who can demonstrate a complex understanding of the role of universities and education as drivers of social change.
  • 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in relevant higher education, civil society, foundation, multilateral, development and/or consulting organizations.
  • Deep knowledge and experience in the field of global higher education, including understanding of main policies, actors, challenges, trends and controversies.
  • Excellent strategic and analytical skills. Complex project management experience. Grant making experience would be a plus.
  • Experience in more than one geographic region will be a strong asset.
  • Good written and spoken communication skills in English. Proficient level of another language strongly preferred.
  • The candidate must be willing to be flexible as their areas of work may expand/change in the future depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate, as well as the needs of the program.

What we offer:

  • Ample opportunities to learn and grow, from annual professional development allowances to onsite trainings and brown bag lunches 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 a cover letter that addresses the specific skills and experience that OSF requires for Program Officers (guidance is located here) and CV; we look forward to learning more about you.

Please click the apply button to be taken to our website.

Closing date for applications: 17 February 2023.

Work Authorization: Please note, this position may be eligible for work authorization sponsorship and relocation support.

For New York-based employment: We feel our salaries are competitive for our sector.  The salary for this position has a range of $86,900.00-$123,800.00. Your offer will be based on your level of experience.

For U.S. based employment: 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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