JOB- Program Officer for Central Eurasia Project, Open Society Institute

Distrib. by: Central-Eurasia-L - Announcement List for Central Eurasian Studies

JOB- Program Officer for Central Eurasia Project, Open Society Institute

Posted by: Virginia Moracho <vmoracho@sorosny.org>

Position Available
Program Officer for Central Eurasia Project
October 2007

The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant
democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To
achieve its mission, OSI seeks to shape public policies that assure
greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and
safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, OSI implements a range
of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and
independent media. At the same time, OSI builds alliances across
borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of
information. OSI places a high priority on protecting and improving
the lives of marginalized people and communities.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros in 1993 created OSI as a
private operating and grantmaking foundation to support his
foundations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
Those foundations were established, starting in 1984, to help
countries make the transition from communism. OSI has expanded the
activities of the Soros foundations network to encompass the United
States and more than 60 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin
America. Each Soros foundation relies on the expertise of boards
composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on
local priorities.

Working under the supervision of the Director of the Central Eurasia
Project and Middle East Initiatives of the Open Society Institute, the
Program Officer will have the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

* Provide program and administrative support to the Director of CEP
and the Director of Advocacy and Grants.
* Review, research, and evaluate grant proposals, letters, and
reports of various CEP grantees.
* Work with Director to help develop comprehensive strategies for
grantmaking and advocacy in the region.
* Conduct necessary correspondence with grantees at all stages of
grant process.
* Prepare grant docket for selection committee review.
* Plan and develop annual budget for CEP in conjunction with Director.
* Evaluate annual budgets and strategies, monthly transaction
reports, audit reports, and various other legal and grant
documentation.
* Under supervision of Director, develop, execute, and coordinate
special projects as required. Provide occasional program and
administrative support to other projects.
* Monitor civil society and NGO development in priority sectors of the
region.
* Conduct Pre-grant inquiries for all grant applicants.
* Complete Grant SQL (grant-processing program) entries for all grant
applicants.
* Monitor grantees, provide reporting guidelines, review interim and
final financial and narrative reports.
* Work alongside OSI-NY Grants Management (GM) Department to ensure
all grantees are in compliance with U.S. law and GM requirements.
* Assist in the preparation of annual budget in collaboration with
Director and departmental staff; review budget variance reports on a
regular basis.
* Work alongside OSI-NY Finance Dept. to ensure all regional
budgeting and accounting is in compliance with OSI Finance Department
requirements.
* Process payments and transfers using OSI software: administrative
payments, program payments, grant payments, and expense reports.
* Compose consultancy contracts and ensure that payments are
processed and sent in a timely manner.
* Engage in research and other projects as needed. Assist Director
with relevant projects upon request.

Requirements:

* Advanced degree, Masters or above;
* Knowledge of and relevant experience working in Central Eurasia and
Caucasus;
* Experience working with NGOs, international organizations, and/or
grant-making institutions;
* Excellent written and verbal English language skills;
* Advanced Russian language skills; other languages a plus,
specifically Middle Eastern languages;
* Excellent organizational skills, particularly the ability to
effectively manage and compile disparate pieces of data.
* High level of self-motivation and ability to work independently, as
well as commitment to working as a member of a team;
* Attentive to detail and able to work well under pressure;
* Extensive computer skills (expertise with Microsoft Word, Excel,
Access and databases required);
* Ability to travel as required.

Compensation: Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefit package.

Start Date: Immediately

To Apply: E-mail resume, cover letter and salary requirements, before
October 31, 2007, to:

humanresources@sorosny.org

Include job code in subject line: PO/CEA

OR

Open Society Institute
Human Resources Code PO/CEA
400 West 59th Street
New York, New York 10019

No phone calls, please. The Open Society Institute is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.

Virginia Moracho
Human Resources Recruitment Specialist
Open Society Institute
(212) 548-0186
E-mail: vmoracho@sorosny.org

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