The Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this goal, we award numerous grants annually to global entities and individuals dedicated to promoting tolerance, transparency, and open discourse. Additionally, we actively pursue strategic human rights litigation and impact investing, while fostering innovation and engaging directly with governments and policymakers through advocacy to drive positive change. 

Reporting to: Director- Global Grants

Role Purpose: The purpose of this position is to contribute to the effective work of the Policy, Knowledge & Training team to design and implement a wide array of knowledge resources and creative communication strategies and mechanisms to effectively share these resources with various audiences across Open Society Foundations. 

 

Key Responsibilities

As Grants Officer, you will report to the Associate Director, Grants Management and be responsible for:

• Work with the Associate Director and the Policy, Knowledge & Training team, members of Grants Management, and other Open Society stakeholders to develop, test, produce and revise knowledge resources (for example, manuals, training guides, guidance and policy documents, case studies, workbooks, videos, online learning tools, and other resources) for Open Society’s Salesforce-based grantmaking software, grants management compliance, and grantmaking policies.
• Apply adult learning theories and instructional design methodology to develop and deliver quality facilitator-led and digital learning experience that align with effectively written learning objectives.
• Facilitate trainings, both independently and as part of the Policy, Knowledge & Training team, for in-person and remote learning sessions.
• Conduct needs analysis of existing knowledge resources,  and adjust for accuracy, completeness, and readability.
• Create communication strategies and mechanisms to share knowledge resources with diverse audiences inside Open Society.
• Develop, test and maintain job aids and resources for applicants and grantees to facilitate the application process and managing of an awarded grant through Open Society’s Grantee Portal.
• Liaise with other grant makers to identify industry best practices in grants management and leverage external grantmaking resources to support the professional development of grant making staff.
• Stay abreast of grants management and grant making policies, practices, and guidelines at Open Society, and assist stakeholders as needed to understand and adhere to these.
• Build and maintain relationships with program and operational units across Open Society, helping to identify knowledge and experience within the organization that would be valuable to systematize and share broadly, as well as gaps in knowledge and experience within the organization for the Policy, Knowledge & Training team to address.
• Provide advanced administrative support for projects in which the Policy, Knowledge & Training team is involved, including scheduling and arranging the logistics for in-person or virtual meetings, contributing to the development of agendas and facilitating work meetings when necessary, managing projects’ timeline, identifying projects’ operational needs and developing solutions, and managing administrative issues related to the work of retained consultants.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Travel is required (15%)

 

People Responsibilities: None

 

Key internal relationships

• Director, Opportunity Grants Management
• Associate, Policy, Knowledge & Training
• Associate Director, Grants Management, US Accounting

 

Qualifications: University Degree (BA or Bsc)

 

Experience

Essential

• Effective stand-up facilitation and presentation skills in a variety of  formats to support users’ learning experience.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Experience working with a grant processing software/system (Salesforce experience/preferred).
• Knowledge of grant making processes and the philanthropic and non-profit sectors in general.
• Experience with evolving and complex administrative policies and procedures and operating within them and ability to quickly understand and use policies and procedures.

Desirable

• Experience as an effective teacher/trainer/facilitator

• Knowledge of grant making processes and the philanthropic and non-profit sectors in general.
• Experience with evolving and complex administrative policies and procedures and operating within them and ability to quickly understand and use policies and procedures.

 

Functional Competencies:

• Be diligently compliance-driven to ensure organizational adherence to laws and regulations, particularly within grant-making processes.
• Possess strong analytical skills for using data and information to conduct assessments and make well-informed decisions.
• Demonstrate proven project management and organizational capabilities.

 

Personal Competencies:

• Exhibit excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Display a high level of emotional intelligence, with the ability to build and maintain strong, trusting relationships internally and externally,
• across cultures and geographies, to advance unit objectives.
• Be committed to Open Society’s core values of humility, commitment, collaboration, respect, inclusivity, and integrity.
• Be dedicated to continuous learning and development in areas such as diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and social justice.
• Listen and collaborate with humility, fostering respectful interactions with all individuals and supporting an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives.

 

Languages:

• Possess an excellent command of English.
• Being proficient in additional languages would be an asset.

 

The salary range in the United States for this role is $89,600 – $160,00 (USD). The final offer is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set and level of experience

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.