Program Manager, Economic and Climate Prosperity at Open Society Foundations

Role Purpose

The Program Manager will lead the design, implementation and ongoing development of Economic and Climate Prosperity’s country-level work in South Africa and Senegal, while contributing to selected regional and pan-African initiatives

Combining technical policy expertise, political-economy analysis, grant-making and partnership development, the role will advance national and regional priorities in green industrial policy, international finance and trade systems. Strong understanding of South Africa’s policy environment and trusted relationships with government, development finance institutions and other partners will be central to identifying opportunities and influencing policy design, implementation and accountability.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and Country Planning

Develop country-level work plans including mapping of policy windows and politically feasible pathways for reform

Effectively manage the grant-making process by communicating with grantees for proposal submission, assisting in grant record preparation, grants processing, payments, reporting, and other related processes

Policy Analysis and Influence

Translating technical evidence into policy options, briefs and engagement strategies

Supporting partners to influence policy design, implementation and accountability

Stakeholder Relationships and Representation

Represent ECP in relevant policy forums and build trusted relationships with government, public finance institutions, civil society, research organisations, private-sector actors and regional institutions

Managing sensitive relationships in complex or contested political environment.

Convening stakeholders with different interests

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

Build relationships with senior government officials, public institutions, development finance institutions, civil society, researchers, private-sector actors and regional bodies

Grant and Consultant Contract Management

Effectively manage the grant-making process by communicating with grantees for proposal submission, assisting in grant record preparation, grants processing, payments, reporting, and other related processes

Contribute to larger opportunity strategy

Process and oversee progress of consultant contracts

Monitoring and Reporting

Monitor progress implementation, project risks, and other relevant status updates and communicate to Associate Director of Programs regularly

The ideal candidate (essential criteria)

Essential Education

University degree or equivalent experience.

Essential Experience

Substantial relevant experience in green industrial policy, international finance and trade systems.

Experience working with national governments, national development banks and/or other development finance institutions.

Strong understanding of South Africa’s political and policy environment, with demonstrated ability to navigate policy processes.

Ability to assess how political institutions, stakeholder interests, incentives and power dynamics affect policy design and implementation.

Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with government officials, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.

Ability to translate technical evidence into policy options, briefs and engagement strategies.

Experience collaborating with stakeholders across countries.

Excellent command of English.

Extensive experience in program/grant management, climate policy, or sustainable finance or similar

Willingness to travel internationally and adjust working h

Desirable Experience

Experience bringing grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs), climate activists, and government together to create unified policy positions that can influence government decisions

Background in creating and executing log-frames and theory-of-change models

Experience designing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), evaluating grant applications from local civil society organizations, structuring grant contracts, and managing a multi-million Rand portfolio of disbursements.

Language

Fluency in English and knowledge of other languages is desirable.

Travel

Travel is required. Travel frequency depends on the role requirements.

Functional Competencies:

Managing Learning across South Africa, Senegal and regional work in collaboration with OSF’s Strategy and Impact Unit (SIU).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 including country strategies and workplan development.

Ability to conduct research to drive decision making by managementExperience in budgeting, strategic analysis and planning

Working well with a variety of public, private and NGO stakeholdersBuilding and maintaining networks of stakeholders including political-economy analysis and policy influenceIdentify strategic partners and promote strategic cooperation with governmental and other sectors

Knowledge of grant making best practices and the field of philanthropy  Ability to build synergies, strengthen movements, and identify and fill capacity gaps across fields

Demonstrate care and concern about partner organizations and the people who work in them

Personal Competencies:

Able to build consensus with diverse audiences/stakeholders Possesses cultural sensitivity to work respectfully and effectively in different settings

Ability to work independently and being self-motivatedDemonstrates commitment to OSF’s core values of humility, commitment, collaboration, respect, inclusivity and integrity

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 justiceAble and willing to conduct international travel

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.

Staff are required to work in an Open Society office 50% of working days per month.

Employer-paid health insurance 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.

Similar open roles

• Programme Officer (Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) at International Organization for Migration (IOM)International Organization for Migration (IOM) · Nairobi
• Technical Advisor at UNICEFUNICEF · Nairobi
• Technical Assistance (T.A ) – Performance Management at Living GoodsLiving Goods · Nairobi
• Program Excellence Officer – (PEO) at Living GoodsLiving Goods · Nairobi
• Digital Health Systems Strengthening Officers at Living GoodsLiving Goods · Nairobi
• Ecosystem Coordinator (Maternity Cover) at Triggerise (Tiko)Triggerise (Tiko) · Nairobi