Program Officer, Ideas Workshop at Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa

Job Profile

The Program Officer will identify and support individuals, collectives and institutions that are renewing public debate and creativity with bold, fresh ideas. They will serve as a talent scout in search of the most interesting and transformative thinkers and centers of intellectual energy on issues of public concern, and will have a good understanding of the dynamics of public knowledge production, dissemination and debate in the region.

As a Program Officer At Open Society You Will

• Seek out individuals and groups at the groundbreaking of creative thinking on public issues in the region, attending conferences, workshops and festivals with a focus on ideas, tracking key publications and public discussion in broadcast and social media channels – looking especially for visionary ideas that may be at the margins and merit amplification.
• Make grants to support outstanding individuals and organizations developing and debating such ideas, and to public-facing institutions, publications and networks that cultivate and sustain the circulation and discussion of ideas. This may include forms of expression: writing, film or visual arts.
• Help to conceive and implement multi-year initiatives across program areas and geographies.
• Engage with the companion initiative to the Ideas Workshop – the Open Society University Network, its core academic institutional partner.
• Help organize and take part in internal discussions and debates within OSF about our assumptions and established ways of thinking.

What We Are Looking For

• At least 7 years of responsible experience in a leading role in work related to ideas and public debate, in any sector (academia, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, journalism, arts and culture, or the public and private sectors);
• A graduate degree in a field relevant to the work described above would be desirable, although insatiable intellectual curiosity is more important than formal qualifications;
• Deep and demonstrable knowledge of the landscape of online and offline public debate in the region, as well as a willingness to develop such knowledge about other regions
• High proficiency in one or more of the relevant local languages in the region;
• Good written and spoken communication skills in English;
• Good project management skills;
• Good proficiency with use of technology and applications
• Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice;
• Commitment to listening and working with reserve; ways of working that are respectful to all people; and that support space and voice for all varied perspectives in our workplace.

Desirable (but Not Required)

• Facility in the use of social media.

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, paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, sabbatical opportunities, and much more.
• A commitment to creating a diverse work environment that enables everyone to bring their full self to work and make a positive impact on the world.