Open Society Foundations is employing a Program Officer

Deadline: 10 May 2014
Open to: candidates with advanced degree in social sciences or other relevant field and several years of relevant experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Remuneration: commensurate with experience

Description

The Early Childhood Program (ECP) of Open Society Foundations promotes healthy development and well-being of young children, through initiatives that emphasize parent and community engagement, professional development, and government accountability. Their rights-based approach and social justice framework give particular attention to minorities; children with developmental delays, malnutrition, and disabilities; and children living in poverty. ECP programs are active in Central Eastern Europe/Eurasia, with extensive initiatives in parts of Africa, Asia, and elsewhere. Building on over a decade of Open Society’s work with young Roma children and their families, the program officer or senior program officer will primarily manage ECP’s Roma Kopaci Initiative, which consists of three linked activities aimed at dramatically improving the social inclusion and reducing poverty and discrimination experienced by young Roma children and their families. S/he will report to the director of the Early Childhood Program and work closely with a professional team, based in London. Find detailed description of the senior program’s tasks HERE.

Eligibility

It is necessary that the candidate:

• Has an advanced degree in social sciences or other relevant field and several years of relevant experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Shows commitment to addressing the needs of young children and their families;
• Has NGO experience;
• Possess knowledge of the European early childhood development and social justice fields, with demonstrable understanding of current debates;
• Demonstrates knowledge, experience, and success in advocacy at European level in the area of Roma and minority rights, European funding structures, and social policy frameworks;
• Has excellent contacts with key European Roma and minority organizations, networks, and actors.

Among the skills required are: demonstrable experience in developing and managing multi-country, multi-agency initiatives, including coordination with partners, management of consultants and budgets, and the ability to mentor and monitor projects and provide technical assistance through long-distance support, knowledge of monitoring systems and evaluation processes that are used to generate evidence of learning and impact, as well as experience negotiating projects, project budgets, grants, and contracts with diverse organizations. Find all the list of the skills required in the official-call HERE.

Remuneration

Commensurate with experience. There is an excellent benefits package. The grade of the post (program officer or senior program officer) will be decided on the basis of the experience and skills of the successful applicant.

How to apply?

Interested candidates should send their cover letter, writing sample and resume by 10 May 2014 to: recruitment-ECP@opensocietyfoundations.org. Include in the subject your name, surname, and job code ECP Roma. Phone and in-person interviews will be held in May.

Check the official call.