Geographic Program Manager

Geographic Program Manager. Seoul. Posting Date: 05/16/2024. Deadline: 06/05/2024

Role Title

Geographic Program Manager

Grade Level

Level E, Grade 11

Contract Type

Three years' duration. A professional employer organization (PEO) will be the direct employer on record

Reporting To

Geographic Lead, Asia Pacific (Director, Programs)

Location*

Seoul

Colombo

Bangkok

Jakarta

Kuala Lumpur

*Ideally candidates should have the right to work in the specific location/s; however, strong candidates who do not meet this requirement may also be considered

Program/Tool/ Department/Unit Name

Programs

Team Name

Programs

Role Purpose

Support the Asia Pacific Geographic Lead in developing and implementing a consistent and informed Open Society strategy in the region. Coordinate the Asia Pacific Policy Group and country sub-groups, which will help define Open Society’s strategic approach to the region. Manage grants important for Open Society’s approach to the region outside of program opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Geographic Lead for Asia Pacific (either Director or Managing Director Programs), the Geographic Program Manager’s key responsibilities are as follows:

Support the Geographic Lead to ensure that our work in the Asia Pacific region is overseen closer to the places we work in, grounded in local knowledge, and is cognizant of the differing contexts and political spaces in which we work.

Monitor Open Society’s work in Asia Pacific for program coherence, contextual relevance, and geographic risks

Build a strong understanding of the region and relationships with key open society actors on the ground

Liaise and advise the development and design of all Open Society work in the region; work collaboratively in assessing, and revising program strategies

Support the Geographic Lead in developing and maintaining a light-touch, adaptable strategy that integrates work in the region carried out by different opportunities, core partner support, and urgent capital where needed

Support the Geographic Lead in guiding, supporting, and executing the activities of the Asia Pacific Policy Group and relevant sub-groups, coordinating with internal colleagues and external partners and actors

Support the Geographic Lead in ensuring coherence of Open Society policies and approaches in Asia Pacific across opportunities, core partners, and urgent capital

Ensure the contextual updates, policy needs, challenges, and opportunities are identified and prioritized so the Asia Pacific Policy Group relevant sub-groups can engage appropriately

Work on grantmaking for non-opportunity specific grants that are important for Open Society in the region, including crisis response and urgent capital requests

Process and oversee progress of consultant contracts

Monitor progress implementation, project risks, and other relevant status updates and communicate to Asia Pacific Geographic Lead regularly

Support the geographic lead in preparing updates and advocacy briefings for OSF leadership

Key relationships

Government, nonprofit, multilateral, and private stakeholders

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential:

Educated to a degree-level (or equivalent)

Desirable:

Post-graduate education with specialization in the Asia Pacific region or significant experience across region in academia, diplomacy, journalism, or analysis

Experience

Essential:

Several years’ experience in one or multiple organizations, with comprehensive proficiency in relevant fields or subject areas; this experience should be related to Asia Pacific and Open Society’s programmatic focus

Excellent knowledge of politics and geopolitics across the Asia Pacific region

Prior working experience of working with diplomatic community (for example multi-lateral, NGO, foundation or diplomatic working environments)

Relevant experience across democracy, rights, equity, and/or media ecosystem in Asia Pacific

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Conceives, designs and manages cross-department, cross-program or similarly complex projects; expected to effectively manage time, budget and stakeholders and network-wide or similarly complex coordination.

Able to generate, capture and organize information and knowledge to deliver prescribed outcomes

Ability to conduct research to drive decision making by management

Strong writing and analytical skills in English

Skilled in drawing out patterns and providing analysis on current events

Experience in budgeting, strategic analysis and planning

Working well with a variety of public, private and NGO stakeholders

Building and maintaining networks of stakeholders

Promote strategic cooperation with governmental and other sectors

Personal Competencies:

Ability to work independently and being self-motivated

Demonstrates commitment to OSF’s core values of humility, commitment, collaboration, respect, inclusivity and integrity

Able to build consensus with diverse audiences/stakeholders

Possesses cultural sensitivity to work respectfully and effectively in different settings

Proven experience in collaborating with multi-country stakeholders

Willingness to adjust working hours to include calls and discussions with colleagues and vendors located in various geographic regions

Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and social justice

Languages:

Fluency in English and at least in one of the local Asian languages

Knowledge of other regional languages would be an asset

Competitive rates of pay apply.

Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues and communities that our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities and communities are encouraged to apply.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.

JR-0003365