Associate, Program Management

• Effectively manage the grant making processes related to the higher education team’s objectives. This responsibility includes day-to-day liaison with grantees about proposal development and submission, providing feedback and reviewing budgets, overseeing grant record preparation, ensuring timely processing of grants, payments and reports, and undertaking periodic reviews of progress with grantees, including site visits and attendance of program meetings. 

• Build a strong understanding of the organizational grant making rules and policies. Help design grant selection processes and projects.  

• Work collaboratively with other members within the team and with colleagues across OSF to ensure the team is effectively leveraging OSF’s capabilities to reach the agreed outcome.  

• Communicate with and build collaborative relationships with grantees and partners. Provide guidance on OSF processes and procedures. Provide expertise, both internally and externally, to support the development of grantee organizations and projects.  

• Assist in the construction, maintenance, and assessment of grant making, sharing responsibility for design with manager. 

• Provide support for internal and external initiatives and events with the Administration Officer, including support in conceptualizing events, identifying speakers, developing event agenda, and working with operations colleagues to manage event logistics. 

• Manage and oversee consultant contracts, as needed. 

• Contribute to planning and development of annual goals and budgets. 

• Perform other tasks and take on other responsibilities, as required by the Director, Higher Education. 

Key internal relationships 

Program Managers, Grant Management, Operations. 

Key external relationships 

Higher education partners, CEU and other grantees 

The ideal candidate 

• Educated to a degree-level (or equivalent). 

•  Substantial relevant experience in non-governmental organizations, universities, think tanks, arts and culture organizations, philanthropy, development, consulting, and/or the public sector.  

• Understanding of the field of higher education and key trends and developments. Experience working at or with higher education institutions.  

• Excellent strategic and analytical skills. Complex project management experience. 

• The candidate must be willing to be flexible as their areas of work may expand/change in the future depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate, as well as the needs of the program.  

• Grant making experience will be an advantage. 

• Experience in more than one geographic region will be a strong asset.  

• Ability to think broadly and design project management systems and approaches. 

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify, assess, and mitigate risks effectively.  

• Proficiency in using data-driven approaches to make informed decisions and recommendations.  

• High emotional intelligence, humility and empathy; the ability to relate to people across cultures; and excellent inter-personal skills, with the diplomatic demeanor and political astuteness necessary to represent a global organization. 

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

• Commitment to open society values of human rights, transparency and accountability, and democratic governance. 

• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion by recognizing and responding positively to individual and group differences in the workplace and beyond. Building an inclusive workplace by respecting and seeking out diverse viewpoints and perspectives.  

• An excellent knowledge of English  

• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset 

• Travel (25%) 

What we offer  

• Exceptional opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact; from a generous annual professional development allowance for every employee to onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts. 

• Excellent benefits and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including: 

• Generous time off and flexible work arrangements. 

• Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families (no employee contribution required). 

• Exceptional retirement savings plan (non-contributory for employees) and life insurance. 

• Progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, and much more. 

• A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, so you can bring your whole self to work and make a positive impact. 

Who we are  

Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. Our operating model organizes grantmaking around specific, time-limited projects, developed alongside support for established partners, enabling us to respond swiftly to emerging needs. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems. 

Guided by our founder’s values and the belief in the art of the possible, we engage directly with global entities, individuals, and policymakers through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and strategic human rights litigation to drive positive change. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to rights, equity, and justice, inspiring every action we take.