Public Health Program
OSI-New York

Application Deadline: June 6, 2008

The Open Society Institute works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Open societies are characterized by the rule of law; respect for human rights, minorities, and a diversity of opinions; democratically elected governments; market economies in which business and government are separate; and a civil society that helps keep government power in check. 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 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 national foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.

The Open Society Institute’s Public Health Program aims to promote health policies based on social inclusion, human rights, justice, and scientific evidence. The Program works with civil society organizations within two fields:

• Promoting the participation and interests of socially marginalized groups in public health policy; and
• Fostering greater government accountability and transparency through civil society monitoring and advocacy, with a particular emphasis on HIV and AIDS.

Program areas focus on addressing the human rights and health needs of marginalized persons, facilitating access to health information, and advocating for a strong civil society role in public health policy and practice .

For further information on the Public Health Program, visit our website: http://www.soros.org/health

Responsibilities

• Perform clerical duties, including: act as the contact person for incoming calls and requests from the general public; handle written correspondence; do faxing and photocopying; schedule meetings and conferences; sort and distribute mail; and generally assist in department administration.
• Assist in logistical organization of staff and board meetings.
• Answer all preliminary requests for information about the public health programs.
• Assist in managing grants, including requesting and reviewing grant activities and reports.
• Assist in scheduling appointments and meetings with program staff.
• Draft/edit correspondence and memoranda, letters to grant applicants, and various other documents for the program staff.
• Make travel arrangements for participants attending events organized by the department.
• Maintain and update department’s working files, as well as databases.
• Perform basic research (Internet; Lexis/Nexis).
• Other projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Interest in public health/international health
• Undergraduate student only (junior or senior preferred)
• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills
• Commitment to working as a member of a team and to providing service to clients, 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
• Attentive to detail and able 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, Excel and Internet required; experience with databases preferred)
• Able to work minimum of 15 hours per week, up to maximum of 20.

Salary: Hourly rate, plus lunch is provided

Start Date: ASAP

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter by June 6, 2008 to: humanresources@sorosny.org. Include code in subject line: PT/PHP.

OR

Mail to:

Open Society Institute Human Resources - PT/PHP
400 West 59th Street New York, NY 10019
Fax: 646.557.2494

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