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 with a satellite office in Tunis, the office supports a diverse group of civil society organizations, research centers, universities, and media organizations across the Arab world in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Reporting to the executive director of the ARO in Amman, Jordan, the rights and governance senior program officer spearhead a progressive and lively program in support of open society and reform in the Arab Region through a multitude of collaboration with civil society, media, and governments. In addition to providing leadership, content, and direction, ensuring the program’s effectiveness and impact, as well working closely with ARO staff to support civil society more broadly in the Arab region.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Manage the portfolio of the Rights & Governance program in the Arab region, including reviewing proposals, identifying promising groups and initiatives, monitoring grant implementation, and liaising with other donors active in the field;
- Stay abreast of developments in the region that will impact the human rights and governance situation and the work of the program;
- Identify stakeholders in the region, develop, and foster partnerships, and serve as the primary spokesperson for the program;
- Conduct research as needed to develop effective strategies to support human rights and governance in the region;
- Spot and develop new ideas that will add significant value to the Rights and Governance program, portfolio, strategy, and goals;
- Coordinate with other Open Society Foundations programs, projects, and initiatives on human rights issues;
- Coordinate with ARO policy and advocacy unit to identify opportunities to amplify the advocacy efforts of grantees and partners;
- Stimulate awareness and exchange regarding developments in the human rights field, both inside and outside ARO;
- Liaise and collaborate with counterparts in other foundations on a proactive basis;
- Communicate the work and vision of the Rights and Governance program and ARO more broadly to current and potential partners and others, as helpful;
- Supervise program staff and coordinate team work to ensure goals and timelines are met;
- Prepare and manage program’s annual budget, and ensure proper expenditure and reporting;
- Oversee the collection, organization and updating of grantees’ and partner organizations’ information;
- Travel as necessary to meet with grantees, and other partners in the region;
- Prepare and provide regular programmatic updates for the ARO executive director;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education / Experience
- Advanced degree in human rights, law, or related field;
- Minimum of five years of relevant experience in the Arab region;
- Knowledge of and experience in the Arab region’s human rights and governance fields;
- Proven ability to think strategically, to innovate and respond to new opportunities.
Skills Required
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, including relationship building and partnership development;
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines without loss of attention to detail, budget, and reporting;
- Excellent time-management and organizational skills;
- Excellent verbal and writing skills, in both Arabic and English. Familiarity with French preferable;
- Excellent listening and communication skills;
- Excellent ability to work both as a team member and independently, with a high level of self-motivation and ability to set and meet goals;
- Integrity, professional discretion, and ability to handle sensitive/confidential matters;
- Enjoys a pleasant, flexible, open-minded, diplomatic manner and disposition.
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: RGARO.
