Job Title
Program Manager - Surge and Sustain
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 development and deployment of censorship circumvention technologies, including but not limited to OTF's unique Surge and Sustain Fund mechanism.
The Surge and Sustain Fund mechanism is the primary vehicle through which OTF supports the user carrying costs of VPNs and other circumvention solutions in highly restricted authoritarian internet regimes. The Program Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day functioning and success of the fund by managing and refining application processes, managing associated contracts, monitoring and verifying metrics collection, reporting to USG and other stakeholders about the performance of the fund and the associated tools and scouting new tools that could be a part of the fund.
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.
Specifically support the oversight design and evolution and full life-cycle management of the Surge and Sustain Fund application mechanism.
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.
Fund Portfolio Management
Independently manage, monitor and coordinate the portfolio of tools supported by the Surge and Sustain Fund.
Support and work with supported tools to issue contracts, ensure adequate onboarding, refine metrics and reporting, amend budgets and contracts as needed, and respond to any questions.
Conduct and oversee project assessments and compliance by undertaking periodic progress reviews, reviewing and approving payment requests against reported metrics, and ensuring adherence to contract terms.
Archive and communicate the details of the Fund portfolio through written materials such as project status reports and presentations.
Promote engagement between supported tools and the internet freedom community to explore opportunities, challenges and advances, and encourage collaboration, learning and strategic partnerships.
HOW TO APPLY:
More information at https://opentechnologyfund.applytojob.com/apply/ejizOtWJFV/Program-Manager-Surge-And-Sustain