Senior Program Officer, Open Society Foundations, New York, NY

Senior Program Officer

Posted on: January 8, 2015
Application deadline: January 30, 2015
Posted by: Open Society Foundations

The Open Society Foundations' Women's Rights Program (WRP) seeks a full-time Senior Program Officer on economic justice in its New York office.

The WRP aims to promote open societies where women control their own bodies, choices and lives; participate4 freely in political, community and family life; play integral economic roles in local and global marketplaces; and be able to advance their rights in systems of justice. The program pursues three goals: (1) to strengthen women's rights organizations and movements in countries and regions where OSF is active; (2) to promote economic justice for women; and (3) to combat policies and practices that undermine the physical safety of women and the enjoyment of their sexual and reproductive rights. A full strategic plan will be presented to the Global Board of the Open Society Foundations in 2015.

The full-time Senior Program Officer will be based in New York and will be supervised by the WRP Director.

THE OPEN SOCIETIES FOUNDATIONS

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to criticism, whose laws and policies are open to debate and correction, and whose political institutions are open to the participation of all people. We seek to strengthen justice and the rule of law; broaden respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities; encourage pluralism and a robust diversity of opinion; deepen democratic practice and participation; expand economic equity; support effective governance; and invest in individuals, public and private organizations, and social movements that advance these goals.

We are a global network of foundations committed to local knowledge and national expertise. Our network includes national foundations, regional foundations, and other geographic programs operating in more than one hundred countries. At the same time, many programs with global reach operate from our four headquarters in Europe and the United States, including programs on digital information, documentary photography, drug policy, early childhood, education, fellowships, fiscal governance, higher education, human rights, international migration, justice, public health, scholarships, think tanks, and women's rights alongside the Program on Independent Journalism. Still other programs advance our special commitment to Roma communities. In addition to making grants to organizations and individuals, the Open Society Foundations engage in policy advocacy, legal advocacy and litigation, program-related investing, and public communications, as well as providing direct assistance to governments. Most programs and foundations in the network are governed or advised by their own boards.

The Open Society Foundations are the global philanthropies of George Soros, who, as chairman, plays an active role in the work of the foundations.

JOB PROFILE

Strategy development, grant making and operational efforts to promote economic justice for women and strengthen women's organizations and movements .The senior program officer will play a key role in developing the strategy in those areas; keep track of the fields, identifying opportunities for funding and other engagement with partners; support other program staff in WRP in contributing to learning and innovation in the field, including through documentation and other operational activities; and represent the program externally. Work is carried out independently /under general supervision. Additional responsibilities include the following:

Program-Related functions:

• Develop and implement a grantmaking and operational strategy aimed at promoting economic justice for women and strengthening women's organizations and movements;
• Write strategy/position papers that provide insight on policy issues impacting the field and/or offer suggestions about field building and strategic project development;
• Work with the Director to ensure close collaboration with other programs across the Open Society Foundations network;
• Establish strategic relationships with other philanthropic partners and NGO's and identify joint programming opportunities;
• Collaborate with grantees, philanthropic partners, and other field professionals and participate in program- and field-related meetings and convenings;
• Invite grant proposals from selected funding applicants and work with applicants to develop and finalize grant proposals;
• Review grant proposals and write grant recommendations;
• Review and assess letters of inquiry and make funding recommendations and declinations;
• Monitor grants through site visits and review of narrative and financial reports;
• Manage financial and budget reports to track grant and program spending;
• Supervise program officers, administrative support staff, and consultants, when relevant;
• Perform occasional special assignments, including participation in foundation task forces and working groups.

Other:

• Extensive travel will be required;
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

This exciting opportunity is for an experienced practitioner and/or grant maker with substantial knowledge, expertise and programmatic experience in women's rights and economic justice.

The successful candidate will have a very strong background in human rights; substantial knowledge of current practices, trends and information, and key actors and thought leaders in women's rights movements and women's economic justice; detailed knowledge of the state of women's rights in at least two countries where OSF is active is essential.

The successful candidate will have a high level of strategic thinking and ability to make good, independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment; the proven ability to work independently, with a high-level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals; a track record in developing and/or strengthening effective collaborations across multiple internal and external stakeholders; a proven ability to work effectively in a fluid and fast paced work environment, managing multiple priorities under pressure and accomplish short- and long- term deadlines with a heavy workload; and a history of being a strong team player. Broad intellectual curiosity, comfort with robust debate and a good sense of humor will be valuable.

The successful candidate must have excellent writing and editing skills in English; proficiency in other languages will be a great advantage; excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; excellent public speaking and presentation skills; excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomatic and problem solving abilities and a desire for continued professional growth while focused on promoting and developing grantees, partners and colleagues; demonstrated cross-cultural competence and substantial life experience with multiple cultures.

A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university and ten to 15 years' relevant experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Master's degree in a social science, e.g. in law, economics, gender studies, political science, public administration, public policy, strongly preferred;

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting with a low level of noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Start Date: ASAP

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email resume and cover letter, with salary requirements to: humanresources@opensocietyfoundations.org. Include job code in subject line: SPO-WRP

The Open Society Foundations is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Senior Program Officer - Adolescent Girls in Emergencies, Women's Refugee Commission, New York, NY

Senior Program Officer - Adolescent Girls in Emergencies

Posted by: Women's Refugee Commission

BACKGROUND

The Women's Refugee Commission advocates vigorously for laws, policies and programs to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children and young people, including those seeking asylum—bringing about lasting, measurable change. The Women’s Refugee Commission is legally part of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

SCOPE OF WORK

The WRC will undertake a year-long project focused on researching if and how programs implemented during emergencies target or are inclusive of adolescent girls. The Program Officer will conduct a field assessment to a new or ongoing emergency to interview affected populations, interview staff on the ground, review programmatic responses, and consult donors and other key stakeholders. The field assessment will assess if and how adolescent girls, aged 10-16, are being targeted and included in programs and services as well as identify their unique needs, protection risks and their and their communities’ proposed solutions. The Program Officer will also undertake a thorough literature review, capture all available learning and produce field guidance for emergency responders and humanitarian practitioners. Guidance will focus on how to better target and mainstream adolescent girls into programs and services in order to address their unique needs, mitigate their risks and better protect and empower them in these settings.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Program Implementation

• Develop research guide questions and undertake field assessment to current/ongoing emergency.
• Conduct a literature review of program and impact of projects reaching adolescent girls in emergencies.
• Synthesize learning and develop guidance for emergency responders, humanitarian practitioners and donors.

Research and Writing

• Manage and conduct desk and field research and assessments, this includes developing methodologies, analyzing data, defining findings and recommendations and conducting follow up.
• Write, edit and manage the production and distribution of initiative documents, including reports, guidance, policy papers, journal articles and other materials.

Advocacy and Public Education

• Develop, implement and conduct advocacy campaigns designed to expand and improve programming for adolescent girls affected by emergencies.
• Manage relationships with non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, governments and others.
• Provide technical expertise and policy advice internally (Women's Commission staff and board) and externally (policy makers in governments, UN agencies, NGOs).
• Represent the Women's Commission to a variety of audiences, including with policy makers, government and U.N. officials, at public events, meetings, conferences, with media, and other venues as appropriate.
• Participate in appropriate networks and consortia to advance the project’s goals and objectives.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Oversee and manage the project budget.
• Oversee administration of project.
• Prepare donor reports.
• Coordinate with Senior Finance Officer on financial reporting requirements.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Minimum 5 years progressive non-profit work experience in refugee, humanitarian assistance and/or human rights work, including experience managing projects;
2. Masters Degree in international studies, political science, non-profit management or related field experience;
3. Previous experience working in emergency contexts as well as program experience targeting adolescent girls;
4. Proven track record conducting research, analyzing political and humanitarian issues, and writing reports and policy papers;
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including grant writing and presentation expertise;
6. Solid diplomatic skills: the ability to effectively liaise with a variety of internal and external professional contacts;
7. Strong people management skills: the ability to work effectively with partners and colleagues;
8. Solid organizational skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced and detail-oriented team environment;
9. Good computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel and email/internet software.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit http://womensrefugeecommission.org/about/employment/1618-senior-program-officer-adolescent-girls-in-emergencies

To Apply Click Here

Senior Program Officer - Livelihoods in Emergencies, Women's Refugee Commission, New York, NY

Senior Program Officer - Livelihoods in Emergencies

Posted by: Women's Refugee Commission

BACKGROUND

The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) works to improve the lives and defend the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children and young people. As an advocacy organization, the Commission is dedicated to bringing about systemic changes that lead to greater respect for the rights of uprooted women, children and young people. The organization strives to effect policy change with broad, worldwide impact.

SCOPE OF WORK

The WRC will undertake a year-long project focused on ensuring livelihood programs implemented during emergencies are effective and safe for participants, that they do not heighten risks of sexual and gender-based violence but, in fact, help to mitigate those risks. The Program Officer will conduct assessments of livelihood programs implemented during emergencies, review partner NGOs proposals to see how protection and risk mitigation are included, and develop field guidance for emergency responders, humanitarian practitioners and donors.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Program Implementation

• Identify and coordinate/partner with NGOs implementing livelihood programs in emergencies.
• Undertake 1 – 2 field assessment missions to real-time emergencies to analyze and document if and how protection and risk mitigation is being included in emergency livelihood programs.
• Review livelihood project proposals and assess if/how protection and risk mitigation are/are not being included.
• Analyze findings and capture learning in summary report.
• Design guidance for emergency responders and donors on building protection and risk mitigation into their emergency livelihood programs.
• Develop distribution strategy for guidance document.
• Prepare and assist with implementation of advocacy/communications strategy for guidance launch and rollout.
• Engage humanitarian economic programming practitioners in the Commission’s livelihood work.

Financial Responsibilities

• Prepare donor reports
• Oversee and manage project budget.
• Coordinate with the Senior Finance Officer on donor financial reporting requirements.

Research and Writing

• Manage and conduct desk and field research and assessments, as needed, to further develop and refine program guidance and collect further data.
• Write, edit, produce and distribution of program documents, including reports, guidance, possible journal articles and other materials.

Advocacy and Public Education

• In collaboration with senior staff, develop, implement and support advocacy campaigns designed to enhance economic opportunities for displaced women and youth.
• Provide technical expertise and policy advice internally (Women's Refugee Commission staff and board) and externally (policy makers in governments, UN agencies, NGOs) on economic issues affecting displaced women and youth.
• Represent the Women's Refugee Commission on refugee livelihood issues to a variety of audiences, including with policy makers, government and U.N. officials, at public events, meetings, conferences, with media, and other venues as appropriate.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Master’s Degree in international affairs, economics, political science, non-profit management or related field.
2. Minimum 5 years of field experience in humanitarian assistance including in emergency contexts – ideally implementing economic programs serving displaced populations.
3. Minimum 2 - 3 years project management experience in refugee protection and humanitarian assistance and emergency response programs.
4. Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in economic programs targeting displaced populations (refugees, internally displaced persons, and/ returning populations).
5. Strong research skills covering qualitative and mixed method research methodologies, literature reviews, and research analysis.
6. Excellent writing and communication skills, including synthesis of research findings, policy analysis and reports to donors.
7. Proven record of effective project management, demonstrating the ability to ensure that projects are carried out on time, within budget, and producing products of excellent quality.
8. Strong organizational skills..
9. Ability to travel – approximately 20% time.
10. Proven record as a team player, demonstrating flexibility and diplomacy.
11. Excellent written and spoken English; working knowledge of French or Spanish desirable.
12. Good Computer skills: facility with MS Word, Excel, and email/internet software.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit http://womensrefugeecommission.org/about/employment/1619-senior-program-officer-livelihoods-in-emergencies

To Apply Click Here