The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. The Open Society Foundations’ Arab Regional Office (ARO) was established in 2006 to support local civil society in its efforts to protect human rights and build vibrant and tolerant societies. Based in Amman and with a satellite office in Tunis, ARO supports a diverse group of civil society organizations, research centers, universities, and media organizations across the Arab world in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia.
The Women’s Rights Program seeks to promote the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality in the MENA Region. The mission of the program is to use grant-making and programmatic efforts to promote and protect the rights of women and girls in priority areas especially in post conflict zones where the principles of good governance and respect for the rule of law are absent. The program focuses its support around three main objectives:
- Combating Violence against Women
- Gender Equality and Women’s Leadership
- Political Participation of Women
Reporting to ARO executive director, the program officer would be responsible for developing the ARO strategy for women and overseeing implementation of program activities including the grant-making component.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Conducting field visits to countries in the region and reporting on the human rights situation of women;
- Identifying thematic and geographic priorities, concerns and new opportunities of work in the region in order to address them through the program;
- Develop a comprehensive strategy on women in the region in consultation with the national, international, and regional partners;
- Mapping local, national and regional women’s organizations active in the area of women’s rights and human rights;
- Facilitating and supporting the creation of relevant women’s networks in the region;
- Coordinating and working closely with government institutions, donors, UN agencies, international NGOs, and civil society organizations active in the field of women’s rights;
- Leading the conceptualization and organization of national and regional conferences, workshops and training sessions addressing thematic areas and capacity needs in the field of women’s rights in the region;
- Soliciting and evaluating proposals;
- Monitoring and providing technical support to grantees to enhance quality programming and implementation;
- Working with grantees and staff on designing and undertaking advocacy on priority thematic and geographic areas;
- Creating synergy in work, facilitating cross-border and inter-institutional collaboration where appropriate;
- Mainstreaming of women’s rights concerns in other Open Society programs.
Education / Experience
- Master’s degree or equivalent in women’s/gender studies, development studies, international relations, human rights, or any other related field, with at least five years experience in the field of development and or women’s rights;
- Considerable knowledge of the region and familiarity with the political, socioeconomic, and religious contexts and their effect on the situation of women.
Skills Required
- Possess exceptional interpersonal skills, including relationship building, presentation skills, partnership development, negotiation, mediation, communication, public and media relations;
- Ability to work independently and perform as a self-starter who can take initiative and sustain work with little supervision in a flat hierarchy, networked organization, and within a highly mobile, culturally diverse and multi-sectoral team;
- Demonstrated ability and effectiveness in dealing with various actors at different levels and diplomacy and tact in negotiating sensitive issues;
- Ability and willingness to travel frequently in the region, and on occasions to New York and other locations;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic;
- Ability to work under pressure and on a range of tasks and meeting deadlines;
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Compensation
Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.
Application Instructions
Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements and three professional references to:osimena.info@opensocietyfoundations.org. Include job code in the subject line: WPO ARO.
