Program Officer (Mental Health Initiative)

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POSITION AVAILABLE
PROGRAM OFFICER
MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE, BUDAPEST

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. To achieve this mission, the Foundations seek to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, the Open Society Foundations implement a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, we build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. The Foundations place a high priority on protecting and improving the lives of people in marginalized communities.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros established the Open Society Foundations, starting in 1984, to help countries make the transition from communism. Our activities have grown to encompass the United States and more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Each Foundation relies on the expertise of boards composed of eminent citizens who determine individual agendas based on local priorities.

BACKGROUND

The Open Society Mental Health Initiative (MHI) is part of the Public Health Program at the Open Society Foundations and is based in Budapest, Hungary. MHI seeks to ensure that people with mental disabilities (mental health problems and/or intellectual disabilities) are able to live as equal citizens in the community and to participate in society with full respect for their human rights. MHI promotes the social inclusion of people with mental disabilities by supporting the development of community-based alternatives to institutionalization and by actively engaging in policy-based advocacy. MHI is both a grant making and an operational program, providing training and technical assistance to its partner organizations.

There are economic and social barriers that preclude people with mental disabilities from employment or from generating income, leaving them with few opportunities to build productive livelihoods. MHI seeks a full-time program officer to lead on the design and implementation of an income generation and livelihood development strategy. The geographic focus of the work is Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and East Africa.

The Program Officer is involved with program development and implementation and reports to the MHI Program Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead on the design, development and implementation of MHI’s income generation and livelihood development strategy;
• Work collaboratively with MHI partners to support their capacity to engage in income generation and livelihood development activities, including assessing organizational and financial readiness;
• Provide technical assistance to MHI partners in developing and executing innovative activities to promote income generation and productive livelihoods;
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with communities and other key stakeholders including working with local businesses to identify, develop and support opportunities to create employment;
• Helps to develop and oversee a portfolio of grants, including evaluation of proposals, preparation of related documentation, and on-site monitoring of grantee activity;
• Collaborate with existing poverty reduction programs in target countries;
• Participates in and coordinates on-site monitoring and technical assistance visits in collaboration with MHI staff and consultants, including preparation of written reports;
• Identify joint programming opportunities with external funders and partners;
• Conceptualize and convene meetings, seminars and training workshops for MHI’s partners;
• Represent MHI at relevant events, meetings and conferences;
• Undertake other duties as requested by the Program Director.

REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced degree in international development, development management, MBA or similar field required;
• A minimum of 5 years work experience in poverty reduction or similar field, including experience with micro-credit and micro-enterprise development;
• Experience in working collaboratively with NGOs;
• Ability to transfer skills and knowledge to local communities;
• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, advancing the health and human rights of marginalized people;
• Experience in grant-making and project management;
• Excellent oral and written English skills;
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
• Ability to work as a team member and independently, with high level of self-motivation;
• Ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds;
• Ability to effectively manage several projects simultaneously in a fast-paced working environment;
• Willingness to travel internationally on a frequent basis.

START DATE: Immediately.

TO APPLY: Send curriculum vitae, cover letter, salary requirement, and a maximum 2 page writing sample in English about the challenges and opportunities in developing poverty reduction strategies for vulnerable groups.

Please send full application by email to applications@admingroup.hu indicating “MHI Program Officer” in the subject line.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 26, 2011

For more information about the Open Society Mental Health Initiative, please see http://www.soros.org/initiatives/health/focus/mhi

The Open Society Foundations are an Equal Opportunity Employer which supports diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, nationality, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

TM and Copyright © 2011 Open Society Foundations. All rights reserved.