Program Manager, Economic and Climate Prosperity

Open Society Foundations · Johannesburg

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Role Title: Program Manager, Economic and Climate Prosperity

Contract Type: Permanent

Workstyle Arrangement: Hybrid

Reporting To: Associate Director, Programs

Department: Programs

Location:, Johannesburg, Nairobi

Team Name: Economic and Climate Prosperity

Opportunity or Team description

Join the Economic and Climate Prosperity team to lead the design, implementation and ongoing development of country-level work in South Africa and Senegal. You will combine technical analysis, policy engagement, grant-making and partnerships to advance national and regional priorities.

The opportunity explores how Global South countries can shape decisions on climate change, finance and the global fiscal landscape, including climate finance, loss and damage, equitable debt reform and global tax reform. Strong knowledge of South Africa’s policy environment will be central to your work.

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.

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.

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.

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