Program Officer, Law and Health Initiative & Sexual Health and Rights Project, Open Society, New York
The Open Society Foundations (OSF) seeks a full-time Program Officer in its New York office to work jointly with the Law and Health Initiative (LAHI) and the Sexual Health and Rights Project (SHARP). The purpose of the position is strategy development and grant-making for assigned program and for developing the connections between the assigned program and the broader priorities of OSF. Work is carried out independently/under general supervision.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. OSF may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.
- In conjunction with Project supervisor(s) and other staff/consultants, develop grantmaking strategies, priorities, and guidelines;
- Invite grant proposals from selected funding applicants;
- Work with applicants to develop and finalize grant proposals;
- Review grant proposals and participate in the preparation of written grant recommendations as part of the docket preparation process;
- Perform site visits of prospective and current grantee organizations;
- Ensure that grantees submit narrative and financial reports as required under the terms of the contract;
- Monitor grants through review of reports, on-going communication and site visits.
- Develop, plan and organize program-related workshops, trainings and events;
- Work with Supervisor(s) to ensure close collaboration with other Projects, convene cross-program collaborations as needed to advance strategic grantmaking opportunities;
- Write and edit Project materials and guidelines;
- Stay abreast of developments in the field through research and attendance at conferences and/or meetings;
- Write strategy/position papers that provide direction on policy and capacity-building issues impacting the field and/or offer suggestions about strategic Project development;
- Perform special assignments, including participation in other OSF program and Foundation task forces and working groups;
- Build and establish strategic relationships with other philanthropic partners and NGOs;
- Manage financial and budget reports to track grant and Project spending;
- Assist in planning and development of annual budgets;
- Travel will be required.
Education / Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university and five to eight years relevant experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in grant making or project management;
- Knowledge of key organizations and networks active in the fields of health and human rights;
- Experience working with or in non-governmental organizations;
- Strong background with programs advancing social justice through community organizing, legal advocacy, research or policy reform work.
Skills Required:
- Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment, to troubleshoot problems and to follow projects through to completion under often-strict deadlines and without loss of attention to detail;
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills;
- Excellent computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Office and experience with internet research and database management;
- Excellent communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication differences;
- Ability to work effectively both as a team member and independently, with a high-level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet own goals;
- Ability to exercise discretion in the handling of confidential issues;
- Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with colleagues and the general public.
This position is responsible for developing LAHI/SHARP’s joint work in the following areas:
- Legal empowerment: managing a grantmaking, advocacy, and research portfolio to document and disseminate the positive effects of various legal empowerment approaches on the health and human rights of marginalized populations, including in particular Roma and sex workers.
- Documentation of rights violations against Roma and sex workers: managing grantmaking initiatives to document rights violations, including monitoring, providing technical assistance, and supporting projects with a strategic litigation component.
- Other issues in health, law and human rights: supporting the Law and Health Initiative on other issues related to health, law and human rights, such as human rights issues related to access to medicines and, more broadly, human rights in patient care.
Program Specific Requirements:
- Law degree and at least three years experience using legal strategies to advance human rights;
- Demonstrated commitment to using law progressively to advance public health and human rights objectives;
- Experience working in at least one of the following regions: Eastern and Southern Africa, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the formerSoviet Union(fSU);
- Experience working with marginalized populations, such as Roma, sex workers, and/or people living with HIV.
Compensation is commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.
Application Instructions:
Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements (indicating office location) before December 31, 2012, via email. Include job code in subject line: PO-SHARP-LAHI.
For additional information, please visit the website.