Program Assistant

Public Health Program
OSI-New York

Application Deadline: November 13, 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.

Founded in 1995, the International Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD) of the Open Society Institute's Public Health Program works to advance the health and human rights of people who use drugs. Through grantmaking, capacity building, and advocacy, IHRD seeks to reduce HIV and other drug-related harms and to end policies and practices that marginalize and discriminate against drug users. Our work is based on the understanding that people unwilling or unable to abstain from illicit drug use can make positive changes to protect their health and that of their families and communities.

Responsibilities

Provide administrative and program support to the International Harm Reduction Development Program:

Program Support

Facilitate communication and collaboration with broad range of stakeholders;
Help build relationships with and capacity of grantees, consultants, and partners;
Perform research; help draft and edit issue documents and program publications;
Track international harm reduction activities and other relevant issues and brief Director and Deputy Director when necessary;
Maintain a familiarity with the work of grantees, consultants, other funders, and international organizations;
Serve as an informational resource to grantees and others;
Respond to requests for information about the program, grant queries, and requests for technical assistance;
Organize twice-yearly medical seminars bringing together international partners and stakeholders, including participant selection, travel and lodging arrangements, and agenda development for the event;

Administrative Support

Assist in grants management, including preparing pre-grant documentation and arranging for necessary approvals, maintaining filing system, and requesting and reviewing narrative and financial reports and related correspondence both internally and externally;
Draft/edit correspondence and memoranda, letters to grant applicants, and various other documents;
Draft consultancy agreements, make payments and handle accounting;
Serve as liaison with grants management, legal and financial departments, becoming familiar with the legal and financial procedures required in various circumstances;
Maintain and update department's working files and databases;
Make logistical arrangements for internal meetings, external satellite meetings, partner meetings and other special events or international conferences;
Maintain the Director's calendar including scheduling appointments, conference calls and meetings;
Help manage travel and expense reports for Director;
Other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required;
Previous office experience strongly preferred;
Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills;
Demonstrated interest in public health/international health, interest in non-profit work, and/or interest in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Africa;
Interest or experience in harm reduction, HIV/AIDS and/or drug policy highly desirable;
Commitment to working as a member of a team as well as commitment to excellence;
Flexibility and willingness to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks;
High level of self-motivation and ability to work independently when necessary;
Ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds;
Attention to detail and ability to work well under pressure;
Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues;
Pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with senior management, co-workers and the general public;
Extensive computer skills (expertise with Microsoft Word, Access, Excel and Internet required; experience with databases preferred);
Willingness to travel;
Russian language skills a plus.

Start Date

December 2009

Compensation

Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

To Apply

Please email resume and cover letter with salary requirements before November 13, 2009, to: humanresources@sorosny.org. Include job code in subject line: PA-PHP/IHRD

Open Society Institute
Human Resources - Code PA-PHP/IHRD
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.