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.
Reporting jointly to the senior program officer for Media & Information in New York, the program coordinator would be responsible for providing programmatic and administrative support to the program and will be working closely with ARO staff to support the civil society more broadly in the Arab Region.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Assist with management and oversight of grants and projects awarded under the Arab Regional Office’s Media & Information program;
- Review grant proposals and prepare grant summaries; work directly with grant applicants and grantees on the development of proposals and grant applications;
- Monitor grants through review of narrative and financial reports and other communications with grantees;
- Contribute to the evaluation and development of the Media & Information program strategy;
- Maintain program documentation and databases; provide administrative support for the management of grants in the program portfolio;
- Draft/edit correspondences and memoranda, letters to grant applicants, grant documentation, and grant dockets;
- Support and oversee grantees’ work and related capacity building;
- Liaise with grantees through country visits and perform site visits of prospective and current grantees while providing professional representation;
- When travelling, manage logistics and organization of meetings;
- Conduct research using web tools to search public sources, as well as conducting research on issues, organizations, and other matters and compile that research into concise, relevant material;
- As needed, contribute blogs, publications, and articles on program-related subject matters;
- Provide administrative support and assist with office activities of the Arab Regional Office such as organizing ARO board meetings and special events in Jordan and abroad; handling meeting logistics; and managing travel and accommodation and other duties as requested.
- Draft internal correspondence, meeting agendas, and other materials.
Education / Experience
- A minimum of four years of experience in the area of media development, human rights, and/or freedom of expression;
- Working experience in an international organization and on grant making will be an advantage;
- A university or postgraduate degree in journalism, law, human rights, social sciences or other relevant area of study;
- Proven research skills are an advantage;
- NGO or foundation experience preferred.
Skills Required
- Knowledge and familiarity of independent media and freedom of expression issues in the Arab region;
- Fluency in Arabic and English; excellent written and verbal communication skills; knowledge of French is an advantage;
- Excellent computer skills, proficient in Windows 7 and experience with internet research;
- Superior interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.
- Excellent listening and communication skills with sensitivity to cultural communication differences;
- Proven ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, to troubleshoot and follow projects through to completion, consistently on schedule, without loss of attention to detail and budget;
- Integrity and professional discretion.
- Ability to travel within the Arab region and internationally.
- Show discretion and ability to handle confidential issues;
- High level of self-motivation and at ease working independently when necessary;
- Flexibility and willingness to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks;
- Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with senior management, co-workers and the general public.
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: M&I ARO.
