Jobs at Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa

As a Program Manager in the Media division you will:

• Play a vital role in the development, planning and implementation of OSF’s strategy to strengthen the enabling environment for public interest media using a range of tools including grant making, advocacy, fellowships, litigation and program-related investments.
• Develop ideas that will best advance our strategies; manage, monitor, and coordinate supportive grants; and engage in direct advocacy where appropriate.
• Take part in long-term grant planning; identifying and working with prospective grantees to develop proposals for grant recommendations; conducting organizational assessments; undertaking periodic reviews of progress with grantees; and reviewing financial and narrative reports.
• Stay up to date on issues related to defending and advancing press freedom, digital tools and technology, emergency responses to journalists under attack, and media initiatives to safeguard staff and their work.
• Inform the Expression team and OSF’s wider thinking on media safety and protection, including by proactively tracking developments in the field, analysing and sharing news and relevant insights with colleagues.
• Build collaborative relationships outside OSF (e.g., with existing grantees, prospective grantees, experts and practitioners in communities, foundations, partners, etc.) as well as across the OSF network.
• Strengthen connections between OSF’s regional and global programs consistent with OSF’s broader priorities, identifying opportunities where a shared approach might have the potential to create a broader impact.

What We Are Looking For

• At least 10 years of experience in a leading role within a media organization, or relevant NGO, government agency, research institution or other actor engaged with issues related to media freedom and safety.
• Mastery of the key issues related to media operating in increasingly hostile environments and the challenges facing journalists and editors. This includes issues such as online and offline threats; digital surveillance; legal threats and remedies; and an understanding of what is needed for emergency support in times of crisis.
• Demonstrated success in advancing social change strategies, including the ability to adapt those strategies in response to an evolving situation.
• Project management skills, including the ability to direct others to gather evidence and research to support a key decision or judgement.
• Knowledge of the cultural landscape of one or more of the following regions: Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Eurasia, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Ability to articulate a deep understanding of and vision for change based on experience and/or knowledge, and able to use that understanding to develop and implement a strategy for achieving the vision.
• A comprehensive understanding of the structure and workings of the media and other organizations (for-profit or non-profit), networks, and movements within varied contexts engaged in the protection of media and press freedom.
• Mastery of analytical approaches and options, and ability to make sound informed judgments.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships – in OSF, peer foundations, and with grant seekers and grantees, and others in the field – to further programmatic goals.
• Ability to exercise effective and inclusive leadership in cross-cultural settings.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English. A second language such as Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, is preferred.
• Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism and social justice.
• Commitment to listening and working with humility; ways of working that are respectful to all people; and that support space and voice for diverse perspectives in our workplace.
• May be required to travel for work purposes and/or work in other OSF offices for significant periods (over 25% of working time).

What We Offer

• Ample opportunities to learn and grow, from annual professional development allowances to onsite training 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.

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As an Associate Program Manager within Culture and Art you will:

• Support the Soros Arts Fellowship (SAF), a global program supporting socially-engaged artists, by managing SAF program administration, operations, grant administration, budgeting, and event planning under the direction of the Team Manager;
• Manage logistics and arrangements for SAF internal and external events, including convenings, interviews, selection committee meetings, public or internal programs (talks, lectures, performances, etc.), cohort calls and virtual events;
• Coordinate all SAF communication collateral with OSF Communications and identify and suggest press opportunities/comms support for fellows.
• Coordinate SAF selection processes and meetings, develop and manage operational systems and procedures for grants;
• Support and track grantee progress within several Culture and Art programs
• Work on assigned projects with dedicated administrative duties that include planning, research, reporting, related operations and engagement with OSF systems and platforms;
• Responsible for full project design within SAF administration and operations, with the expectation to exercise full discretion and effectively manage time, budget and stakeholders and the broader OSF network;
• Manage knowledge and information on SAF grants and programmatic initiatives focused on advancing cultural and arts strategies globally;
• Contribute to the preparation of documents, presentations and coordination of social justice, arts activism and social change efforts and the collective thinking, influence, and collaborative work of colleagues within Culture and Art, Expression and Global Programs and the broader OSF network;
• Contributes to the design and implementation of appropriate qualitative and quantitative monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) methods, tools, and approaches including by identifying relevant outcomes, milestones/indicators, and reflection points and advising relevant program staff at the outset of strategies and projects. Designs data collection tools and uses them to gather information to support evaluation work.
• Collaborate with the overall Culture and Art Team to reach goals and outcomes.
• Curate programmatic, research and related organizational capacities to increase efficiency and external impact of the overall program. The role requires collaborative work through a variety of approaches including monitoring culture and art trends and assessing cultural interventions that reflects the need of the social justice narrative ‘ecosystem’ and work within Global Programs, Expression;

What We Are Looking For

• People with a vision for how art and culture can challenge power and advance healthy societies.
• Five to seven years of experience working in program administration and operations and/or project management, ideally in a global organization.
• Experience working in a creative field at the intersection of art, culture, and social change (desirable).
• Excellent organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and proactive problem-solving skills, including demonstrated experience and desire to make operations run smoothly and efficiently.
• Superior time management and ability to work independently in fast-paced environments, managing and prioritizing multiple tasks and competing demands.
• Strong oral and written communications skills, including the ability to be diplomatic and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Working knowledge or familiarity of the unique needs of artists and arts organizations, especially in challenging economic, social, and political environments a plus.
• Knowledge of the cultural landscape of one or more of the following regions: Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Eurasia, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Working knowledge or familiarity with monitoring and/or assessing programs and budgets.

Candidates Must

• Have a demonstrated commitment to supporting and/or presenting the work of marginalized or underrepresented artists.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, project management, time management, interpersonal, and proactive problem-solving skills, strong experience with program administration, operations, and event planning. Be diplomatic and respectful when dealing with difficult situations. Have a high level of cultural competence and sensitivity.
• Have the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Be active listeners and creative problem solvers.
• Possess an open and flexible mindset; be self-aware, nimble, and willing to question one’s assumptions and adapt one’s approach to each unique circumstance and local context.
• Ability to support the complexity of working in closing spaces.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others verbally and in writing in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.
• Professional experience and aptitude of working at the intersection of social justice, artistic and cultural advancement, protecting democratic values, and multi-issue area fields.
• Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and social justice.
• Commitment to listening and working with humility and ways of working that are respectful to all people and that support space and voice for all diverse perspectives in our workplace.
• Willingness to relocate to one of our hub or regional offices (pending visa approval) and to undertake extensive travel.