Program Manager - Economic Governance at Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa

The Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa (OSIEA) seeks to recruit a Program Manager who will report to the Deputy Director.

Overall job purpose

The jobholder will be responsible for the execution and advancement of the economic governance program and will directly manage a specific portfolio of work within the program. He/she will provide leadership in grant making in this program as well as build relationships with strategic partners and ensure adherence to policies and procedures. The job holder will oversee the development and implementation of the program’s strategies and work plans as well as the budget. He/she will be responsible for overseeing and managing staff within the program and will ensure integration and synergies within and across OSIEA’s other themes and program areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a bold vision for innovative work that will add value by identifying grant-making, operational, and advocacy strategies to promote economic governance in Eastern Africa in alignment with the OSIEA strategic plan.
• Coordinate and serve as the key focal point on economic governance programing within OSIEA.
• Conduct relevant legal and policy analysis for internal and external audiences.
• Write, edit or commission reports and advocacy documents on the key economic governance issues.
• Engage with civil society actors, attend meetings, solicit and evaluate grant proposals, follow-up with grantees and potential grantees. Conduct site visits as necessary.
• Coordinate meetings, conferences, partnerships.
• Conduct advocacy in collaboration with grantees and constituents targeting governments, donor agencies, service providers, and the general public.
• Scan the external environment to ensure programme relevance.
• Represent OSIEA at key functions and meetings related to the economic governance program.
• Develop partnerships with the rest of the program staff in the identification and evaluation of emerging and key development trends and priorities in a particular region.

Person specifications

• Demonstrable belief and commitment to human rights and economic justice for all persons.
• Advanced degree.
• Ten years work experience, with an understanding of the principles and practices involved in the effective management of a complex institution.
• At least five years of program management experience.
• Substantive knowledge of key economic governance issues in the Eastern Africa region.
• Experience in grant making.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Ability to provide specialized advice and professional guidance to external contacts.
• Capacity for increased initiative, independent action and program level responsibility.
• Extraordinary initiative, creativity and capacity to think strategically.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse array of people.
• Ability to manage several simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail.
• Integrity, teamwork, diplomacy and professionalism will be essential.
• Willingness to travel as needed.