Job Title
Program Manager
Reports To
Vice President of Programs
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no direct reports
Job Overview
The Program Manager's central work is to utilize their expertise to develop and implement funding strategies to support OTF's work, inform OTF's funding decisions, and manage a portfolio of supported projects. OTF's Program Managers help shape and drive the Fund's efforts to support the development and implementation of internet freedom tools. Through their daily work, Program Managers must demonstrate a deep understanding of the global Internet freedom ecosystem, specifically related to the research, development and implementation of internet freedom technologies.
The Program Manager will work to support a robust field of individuals and organizations protecting the free flow of information, free speech, free expression, a free press, and other human rights in repressive societies around the globe. OTF believes it is critical to center the needs of the most vulnerable communities and that accessibility to critical tools is a huge part of that.
Note that this position has a specific focus on supporting OTF's work related to countering challenges specific for the Eurasia region. While OTF sees merit in relevant language skills, up-to-date understanding of the reality of media organizations and civil society actors in the region is prioritized.
Responsibilities & Duties
Application Review
* Support OTF's application review and funding process by reviewing applications, participating in regular OTF application review calls, and conducting application due diligence.
* Lead application review rounds, including delegating and facilitating coordination among team members to ensure the successful completion of all tasks necessary to reach a final determination for all applications.
* Work collaboratively with other team members to develop, define, and implement improved review workflows.
Portfolio Management
* Independently manage, monitor and coordinate a portfolio of OTF supported projects, internal initiatives, and fund or fellowship programs.
* Support and work with new projects to issue contracts, ensure adequate onboarding, refine goals and activities as needed, amend budgets and contracts as needed, perform end-of-project tasks, and respond to any questions.
* Conduct and oversee project assessments and compliance by undertaking periodic progress reviews, reviewing and approving payment requests against progress reports, and ensuring adherence to contract terms.
* Archive and communicate the details of a project portfolio through written materials such as project status reports, presentations, and agendas for clear understanding and facilitation by OTF team and the public.
* Actively shape the planning, development, and implementation of OTF's internal efforts, proposing new funds or fellowships as the need presents.
* Work collaboratively with team members to improve project management workflows and monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
* Promote engagement between supported projects and our engaged communities to review opportunities, challenges and advances and encourage collaboration, learning, exchange and strategic partnerships.
Community Interaction, Discovery, and Growth
* Represent OTF at events and meetings relevant to OTF's mission.
* Conduct outreach to gather insight on community needs and how OTF can help.
* Follow key developments and debates related to Internet freedom; identify new opportunities and challenges; keep abreast of the academic and popular literature relevant to OTF's mission; and share key findings and lessons among colleagues and the field.
* In coordination with other members of the Program Team, work to develop specialized expertise and knowledge related to OTF's work.
* Lead and/or assist in the planning and implementation of OTF sponsored events.
* Identify and promote opportunities for team members and projects to be involved in the larger community.
* Identify and recruit potential Internet freedom projects that should apply to OTF,
* Continually learn new skills and share knowledge to help improve team practices; and
* Fulfill other duties as discussed and assigned by the OTF leadership staff.
Qualifications
Alignment to the Mission and Culture of OTF
* Commitment to OTF's mission and core values (https://www.opentech.fund/about/program/#values) of equity, fairness and diversity.
* Passion for social change with knowledge of philanthropy, and interest in the field of human rights and Internet freedom, including nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurship, racial and gender equity, civic engagement, etc.
* Personal qualities of humility, capacity for self-reflection, and a sense of humor.
* Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues.
* Action-orientated and entrepreneurial self-starter who can work well independently and in teams.
Education
* A level of education that, when combined with your professional experience, will adequately show you have the capability to contribute meaningfully to OTF.
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply for this position via the application form. Submit your resume (as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf, limit 5MB) and complete the required fields including First Name, Last Name, Email Address, Phone, and Address.
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