Central Eurasia Project - Middle East/North Africa Initiative
OSI-New York

Application Deadline: May 30, 2008

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.

Working under the supervision of the Senior Regional Advisor of the Open Society Institute, the Program Assistant will provide general administrative support to the Senior Regional Advisor, the Director of CEP/MENA and to the department as a whole. Specifically:

Job Description for General Administrative Support

• Handling travel arrangements booking flights and hotels, arranging visas for Senior Regional Advisor, and CEP/MENA consultants and guests;
• Processing American Express bills and reimbursement requests for Senior Regional Advisor;
• Occasional similar administrative support to Senior Regional Advisor, Director of CEP/MENA and CEP/MENA staff;
• Processing payment requests in PRS;
• Scheduling appointments and handling meeting requests for Senior Regional Advisor;
• Making conference room reservations and organizing conference calls;
• Inputting grants into OSI’s grants tracking software system;
• Tracking grant reports;
• Answering e-mail and phone inquiries, directing queries to the appropriate programs;
• Drafting letters and memos as requested; photocopying, faxing and other projects as required;
• Assist Senior Regional Advisor with correspondence, including proofreading/editing, faxing and telephoning.

Additional CEP/MENA Responsibilities

• Researching on countries or issues in CEP/MENA, as requested;
• Liaising with relevant counterparts in CEP/MENA;
• Monitoring news reports and conduct research for relevant information on the region and identify topics for Open Forum speaker series;
• Compiling and updating relevant articles, books and events on CEP/MENA issues relevant to Open Society concerns;
• Creating database of CEP/MENA experts in the U.S. and internationally for Open Forum Speaker series;
• Handling meeting logistics for CEP/MENA Open Forum speaker events: booking meetings rooms; handling catering needs; booking travel for speakers and processing expenses;
• Compiling background materials for CEP/MENA Open Forum meetings;
• Taking notes at meetings and writing up summary of event programs;
• Translating documents and correspondence from Farsi to English, or vice versa;
• Maintaining updated contact lists, and other information.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree;
• Excellent oral and written English, knowledge of Farsi preferred;
• Extensive computer skills (expertise with Microsoft Word, Excel required; experience with databases and the Internet research preferred);
• Ability to work independently and effectively manage several simultaneous projects in a fast-paced environment;
• High level of organization and self-motivation;
• Attentive to detail and able to work well under pressure

Start Date: Immediately

To Apply: E-mail cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:

mail to: humanresources@sorosny.org

Include job code in subject line: PA/CEP-MENA

OR

Open Society Institute

Human Resources – Code PA/CEP-MENA
400 West 59^th Street
New York , New York 10019

Deadline: May 30, 2008

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