Oak Foundation’s Issues Affecting Women Programme (IAWP) seeks to contribute to a world in which women have the rights, capacity and opportunity to experience safety from violence and to enjoy their full and equal human rights.
Deadline: April 30, 2015
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Organization: OAK Foundation
Background
Oak Foundation www.oakfnd.ch commits its resources to address issues of global social and environmental concern, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged. With offices in Europe, Africa, and North America, Oak Foundation has an annual grant-making budget of over USD 150 million and makes grants to organizations located in 41 countries worldwide.
Oak Foundation’s Issues Affecting Women Programme (IAWP) seeks to contribute to a world in which women have the rights, capacity and opportunity to experience safety from violence and to enjoy their full and equal human rights. Specifically, the programme aims to build a strong and vibrant women’s movement that is empowered to challenge patriarchal norms, tackle the root causes of inequality, and demand the full spectrum of women’s rights. Additionally, we work to end the existing patterns of violence in the family, outside the home, and in crisis contexts by ensuring rights-based laws and policies guarantee an environment in which women are safe from violence. We also support a broad range of services that empower women to recover from the trauma of violence and to rebuild their lives.
Position Description
• Contributes to the development of the programme’s strategic directions including through the drafting of grant recommendations and reports to the Board.
• Develops new granting opportunities in line with IAWP strategic directions and its learning and evaluation system.
• Reviews solicited and unsolicited letters of inquiry received by Oak, and ensures that applicants are sent an appropriate and timely response, regardless of the programme’s interest.
• Coordinates the process of due diligence for all project proposals under the position’s responsibility. This process involves a high degree of understanding not only of the substantive thematic area, but also of organisational development and financial aspects of the work. In the case of larger or more complex grants, the contracting of expert opinions may be required.
• Adheres to Oak’s grant management system (GMS) and related grant-making procedures, including preparation of project summaries, grant recommendations, project annual progress reports, and end-of-grant reports. As such, the position is responsible for: managing the day-to-day responsibilities of a grant portfolio from initial inquiry or proposal to assessment, final recommendation to the President/Trustees/Board and announcement of approval or rejection; monitoring grant implementation; reporting and closing grants; evaluating current or past projects according to needs; and drawing and sharing lessons learned from projects and clusters of grants.
• Upon request, represents Oak’s IAWP team on organisation-wide task forces, study groups, public events, etc.
• Conducts project-level monitoring, including site visits, and plans and supervises evaluations; prepares internal Oak reports on grantees and enlists support of technical consultants and outside reviewers when appropriate.
• Performs all other relevant duties that may be assigned from time to time.
Position Requirements
• Long-standing expertise in the non-profit sector with a focus on human rights, communication, evaluation, or corporate social responsibility. Experience in gender equality or women’s rights also desirable.
• Master’s Degree in human rights, international law, communication, business, evaluation, gender studies or equivalent.
• At least 7-10 years of relevant work experience, preferably with country level experience in the global South and East.
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills; working knowledge of Spanish and/or French an advantage.
• Willingness to travel, up to a maximum of 25% per year, sometimes for extended periods (up to two weeks)
• Demonstrated research and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of non-profit financial reporting and budgeting would be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good computer skills and knowledge of social media.
• Poise, maturity, a good sense of humour and ability to represent Oak Foundation in relevant fora.
• To be considered for this position, you should be a Swiss or EU national or have a valid work permit.
Reporting Lines
The position will be based in Geneva, Switzerland and will be part of a four-person team, reporting to the Director of the Issues Affecting Women Programme. Frequent interactions with Oak’s President and IAWP Trustee will also be required.
Benefits
A competitive salary and benefits package appropriate for Geneva cost of living – based on qualification and experience – are offered.
Application Process
The Foundation welcomes applications from interested candidates. To apply, please send your Curriculum Vitae, cover letter and 3 references (including a recent employer) by e-mail only to iawp@oakfnd.ch no later April 30th 2015. Please no telephone calls, e-mails or personal visits. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
