Open Society Foundations: The Eurasia Program is seeking a Program Specialist (Budapest)
The Eurasia Program is seeking a Program Specialist, who will be at the forefront of grant making activities, developing relationships with the partners in the field and providing crucial programmatic support to Program Officers. The Specialist will develop expertise in one or more of the thematic areas in which we work (which may include civic engagement, independent media, combating state corruption, and minority empowerment, among others), as well as providing ongoing analysis of the Eurasia region as a whole.
Job Profile
An ideal candidate is collegial and collaborative; proactive and resourceful; and analytical and hardworking. The specialist will join an international team based in three countries, working with internal and external partners around the world. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills are therefore a must. The ability to communicate effectively on behalf of the team while being culturally sensitive across a variety of contexts is essential. The organization is implementing a variety of programs and initiatives at all times, so the candidate would be able to prioritize, balance multiple projects simultaneously, and remain poised in the face of changing deadlines and requirements. The ideal candidate is a highly organized professional, capable of working successfully both independently and as part of a team.
Additionally, the candidate must have a sense of humor, intellectual curiosity, keen problem solving skills, and a constant drive to learn and develop. The ideal candidate is mindful and self-critical, with the capacity to lead on projects or issues involved in our grant making, strategically developing the work and analyzing results. Essential duties and responsibilities will include:
- Support the program by conducting a wide range of activities related to the grant making process, including analytical work in support of field development, advocacy, regional consultations and integrative activities.
- Shepherd projects through all stages of the grant process, from developing a concept with a grantee, through compliance and approval, to final assessment of the results of the project.
- Conduct research and synthesize large amounts of data/information to be used in decision-making, strategy development, and evaluation of the grants portfolio or other program processes.
- Participate in preparing and presenting portfolio reviews.
- Design and carry-out field scans and ongoing field monitoring as they relate to the Eurasia Program’s strategic areas of work.
- Deftly analyze grant proposals (including budget analysis), design grants (type of support, degree of flexibility, duration, payment structure, reporting/learning expectations, etc.) and work together with colleagues on drafting cogent and compelling grant recommendations
- Partner closely with program administration staff to ensure the efficient flow of grants processing and other similar program initiatives.
- Develop the concept, agenda, key players, etc. for convenings, research initiatives, and advocacy efforts within assigned areas of work.
- Contribute to the assessment of organizations. This includes primary responsibility for the assessment of organizational finances and budgets (including grant budgets).
- May be asked to take on administrative responsibilities or projects on an ad-hoc basis. These may include processing grants, developing tools and templates, coordinating event logistics, and processing vendor contracts and consultancy agreements.
Candidate Profile
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study or equivalent experience/education; graduate degree desirable.
- 3-5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in a relevant role.
- Very strong research and analytical skills as they relate to processing large amounts of information, and honing in on the most relevant insights for informing the Eurasia Program’s grant making strategy.
- Excellent written and spoken communication in English. Russian language reading and conversational skills strongly preferred.
- Experience giving grants and/or working with civil society partners on the ground in Eurasia preferred.
- An understanding of the most pertinent challenges and opportunities for engagement with civil society in Eurasia.
- Knowledgeable on issues of interest to OSF generally, and in particular as they relate to civic engagement and human rights in Eurasia.
- Ability to quickly navigate and decipher internal policies and external constraints as they relate to the Eurasia Program’s activities.
- Willingness and ability to exercise sound professional judgment on issues of sensitivity.
- Excellent technological skills, including digital communications security.
- Demonstrate consistent respect for others’ opinions, listen well, and respond to colleagues with awareness and sensitivity to cultural communication differences.
- Diplomatic, discreet, able to handle confidential matters with a high level of integrity.
- Well-developed emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, self-management, and empathy.
- Collaborative; able to work productively as a member of a team.
- Organized; strong project management ability; self-directed and self-motivated on work initiatives; strong attention to detail.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to work constructively and adeptly with colleagues at all levels in the hierarchy of the organization as well as with external partners.
- Strong commitment to open society values of rights, justice, accountable governance, human dignity, and democratic practice.
- Strong commitment to inclusion and respect for all colleagues regardless of identity or seniority.
- Collaborative, collegial working style.
Please, send your application ensuring you attach both a CV and Cover Letter. Deadline: January 30, 2016.
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