OSI-Washington, D.C.

Application Deadline: May 29, 2009

The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve its mission, OSI seeks to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI builds alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. OSI places a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of marginalized people and communities. 

Investor and philanthropist George Soros in 1993 created OSI as a private operating and grantmaking foundation to support his foundations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Those foundations were established, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. OSI has expanded the activities of the Soros foundations network to encompass the United States and more than 60 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Each Soros foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities. 

The OSI-Washington, D.C., office represents the international and domestic work of OSI and the Soros foundations network.  The position will report to the director of the OSI-DC Office.  

The Open Society Institute seeks to encourage appropriate and effective U.S. policies on Africa that, among other things, support democracy, accountability and transparency, rule of law and human rights. The OSI-DC office works closely with Congressional leaders, the executive branch, multilateral institutions and the wider foreign policy community on both African governance crises and more long-term challenges.  A key objective has been to bring to Washington the voices and viewpoints of African non-governmental actors who are critical to well-functioning governance in Africa. The successful candidate will have a deep commitment to African development and to OSI's core issues, strong strategic judgment and analytical skills, and a collegial style. Working under the leadership of the OSI-DC director and the senior policy analyst for Africa, the successful candidate will plan and carry out a range of advocacy activities.

Responsibilities  

• Analyze US government policy toward Africa and have a strong knowledge of current developments in Africa;
• Develop advocacy strategies to influence public opinion and US government policy on Africa and carry them out;
• Meet with high-level representatives in Congress, the Executive Branch and other key institutions;
• Prepare and write a diverse range of documents, including issue briefs, reports, articles, memos and summaries;
• Collaborate with the network of OSI Africa advocates and other relevant OSI/Soros Foundations staff who work in Africa or on Africa issues elsewhere in the network;
• Build links and cooperation with other analysts in Washington working on Africa-related issues;
• Represent the OSI-DC office in diverse settings;
• Travel in the U.S. and abroad as need arises.

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant field plus a post-graduate qualification and four years experience or at least seven years of related work;
• First hand knowledge and experience of African affairs and travel in Africa;
• Substantial knowledge of U.S. policy on diverse African issues;
• Excellent  knowledge and experience of U.S. political processes;
• Strong communication skills in face-to-face communication, public speaking and writing of diverse materials.

Start Date

May 2009  

Compensation 

Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package. 

To Apply

Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements before MAY 29, 2009, to: humanresources@sorosny.org. Include job code in subject line: PA-African/DC 

OR 

Open Society Institute
Human Resources - Code PA-African/DC
400 West 59th Street
New York, New York 10019 

FAX: 212.548.4675 

No phone calls, please. The Open Society Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.