Job Opportunity At Osiea- Program Officer: Democratic Governance and Rule of Law Program

About US:

The Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa OSIEA

's particular focus will be on pastoralism, land tenure governance, food systems and market access, governance and anti-corruption climate change and a fair investment framework. The Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa promotes vibrant, tolerant democracies in the region by awarding grants, developing programs, and bringing together diverse civil society leaders and groups. The Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa (OSIEA) is implementing the health and rights program which advances health rights in the region and current areas of focus include maternal health, harm reduction, palliative care, access to medicines, and health rights of marginalized populations.

Job Summary: The Program Officer’s core duties will entail provision of technical support in identification and fostering of effective grant making relations in a dynamic, creative and committed manner with a focus on OSIEA’s democratic governance and rule of law programming in the Eastern Africa region. The program officer will particularly focus on right to information and freedom of expression programming in the region.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide a bold vision for innovative work that will add value to the existing efforts in the region by identifying grant-making, operational, and advocacy strategies to advance democratic governance and the rule of in Eastern Africa, particularly in relation to right to information and freedom of expression.
Support the program in conducting relevant legal and policy analysis in the region for internal and external audiences.
Support identification of capacity and institutional development opportunities in partner organizations (grantees).
Support network/coalition/alliance building for joint advocacy with grantees and constituents targeting governments, donor agencies, service providers, and the general public.
Oversee administrative duties within the program and supervision of consultants.
Develop partnerships with the rest of the program staff in the identification and evaluation of emerging and key development trends and priorities in a particular region.
Scan the external environment to ensure program relevance
Engage with civil society actors, attend meetings, solicit and evaluate grant proposals, follow-up with grantees and potential grantees. Conduct site visits as necessary.
Coordinate meetings, conferences, partnerships.
Participate in writing, editing or commissioning reports and advocacy documents on the Democratic Governance and Rule of Law program.
Conduct advocacy in collaboration with grantees and constituents targeting governments, donor agencies, service providers, and the general public.
Represent OSIEA at key functions and meetings related to the Democratic Governance and Rule of Law program.
Reporting and budget management (portfolio reviews, monitoring programme budget and expenditure etc.)
Participate in program learning, knowledge generation and management

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

The ideal candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
Eight years of relevant work experience on human rights and social justice.
Substantive knowledge and experience working on human rights, democratic governance, and rule of law in the Eastern Africa context particularly in relation to the right to information and freedom of expression.
Experience in grant making
Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
Extraordinary initiative, creativity, and capacity to think strategically.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse array of people.
Ability to manage several simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment.
Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail
Integrity, team work, diplomacy and professionalism will be essential.
Willingness to travel as needed.