Department: Foundations: Administration
Location: Cape Town
Application Deadline: 2016-03-30
Job Profile
Based in Cape Town, the Program Officer will be responsible for the Information, Expression and Accountability Program and will work within a team of at least two other program staff who will report to him/her. The successful candidate will have a strong grasp of legislative, policy and day-to-day developments pertaining to freedom of information and expression as well as accountability.
Key areas of responsibility include
- develop a strategy to guide and prioritise the work of the program so that it contributes meaningfully to the overall OSF-SA objectives
- oversee all grant making activities for the program, including monitoring and evaluation, financial reconciliations, collaboration with other OSF thematic programs and initiating and managing round table events
- interact with grantee organisations, the donor community and relevant program stakeholders to facilitate the program achieving its objectives
- take responsibility for the knowledge development, management and dissemination of information relevant to the program
- lead and develop the program team so that they achieve their work objectives
- participate as an active member of the OSF-SA management team to facilitate the achievement of the overall organisational objectives.
Candidate Profile
The candidate will demonstrate expert sector-specific knowledge across the following areas
Freedom of information and expression
- current and pending legislation affecting freedom of expression and access to information
- understanding policy and legal submissions on issues pertaining to surveillance, whistleblower protection, access to public and private held information, freedom of assembly and the cost of communication
- understanding of South Africa’s civil society space with an avid interest in broadening and deepening the human rights’ movement
- identifying potential threats and opportunities on sector-specific issues and working with NGOs, experts and others to address them
Public interest media
- have a deep understanding of news media in South Africa with a view to promoting OSF-SA’s public interest media strategy
- identify global trends in news media reportage and innovation and make connections with local efforts both to enhance grant making as well as to pioneer new methods of independent reporting
- understand the OSF global strategy to support independent journalism – across regional and thematic programs, especially the Program on Independent Journalism
- strengthening the role of independent journalism in enhancing human rights’ campaigns.
Accountability
- understand mechanisms to promote private sector accountability in SA and develop strategies to advance this body of work
- have extensive understanding of (and preferably experience in) public sector accountability research and work
- identify strategic opportunities for civil society intervention in order to strengthen good governance
- use grant making and other advocacy tools to support accountability in key public sector institutions including Chapter 9 institutions
- work with the broader OSF network to identify shared challenges in holding public and private sectors accountable and find ways to adapt innovative global approaches to a South African context
- familiar with key political, economic and social developments in SA.
Additional Qualifications include
- honours degree in one of the following fields: political studies, law, economics, and humanities. A Master’s degree is preferred
- a least 5 years relevant experience (including in grant making), 2 of which must be at a management level within a medium sized corporate, NGO or parastatal
- leadership (building relationships, on-the-job coaching, focus on individual & team development)
- computer literacy (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook)
- excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- project management skills (high level of attention to detail, planning & organising, follow-up)
- preparation and monitoring of grant budgets
- ability to work under pressure and on multiple tasks simultaneously
- ability to work independently and as part of a team
Application Instructions
Please upload a cover letter and resume in one document when submitting an application.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting with a low level of noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
We are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues across the Open Society Foundations, and we welcome and actively seek applications from people of all cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.