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.
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.
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.
The Director of the Open Society Initiative for
Europe (OSIFE) is a new position, responsible for expanding what has begun as a
program of research and dialogue into a broader set of programs responding to
the present crisis in Europe while strengthening European society over the long
term. For almost three years, the Brussels office of the Open Society
Foundations, under the OSIFE banner, has commissioned research and engaged a
wide set of officials, politicians, and policy advocates across Europe to
counter xenophobia in European politics, investigate the foundations of Euroscepticism,
and find new constituencies for open society values. With the advice of a wide
variety of European intellectual, cultural, financial, and political leaders,
George Soros is now expanding OSIFE to encompass a wider array of activities,
including:
Europe (OSIFE) is a new position, responsible for expanding what has begun as a
program of research and dialogue into a broader set of programs responding to
the present crisis in Europe while strengthening European society over the long
term. For almost three years, the Brussels office of the Open Society
Foundations, under the OSIFE banner, has commissioned research and engaged a
wide set of officials, politicians, and policy advocates across Europe to
counter xenophobia in European politics, investigate the foundations of Euroscepticism,
and find new constituencies for open society values. With the advice of a wide
variety of European intellectual, cultural, financial, and political leaders,
George Soros is now expanding OSIFE to encompass a wider array of activities,
including:
- Support for key European think-tanks working
on Europe-wide issues - Development of new ideas on European finance
and the economy, such as those fostered by the Institute for New Economic
Thinking - Protection of civil liberties and fundamental
rights as the European Union expands its role in criminal justice ,
surveillance, and law enforcement under the Lisbon Treaty - Initiation of programs to support tolerance
and social inclusion of all residents of Europe in the life of their
cities, nations, and Europe as a whole - Strengthening the accountability of the
European Union to the people of Europe on a fair and democratic basis - Creation of pan-European forums encouraging
discussion, debate, and mutual understanding among the people of European
countries - Engagement of students and young people as
they redefine what it means to be European.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The Director will coordinate these activities,
oversee an expanded program of grant-making, and build partnerships with others
working across Europe for similar objectives. The Director will serve as a
spokesperson for the Open Society Foundations, articulating the values and mission
of the Foundations in dealing with academic audiences, journalists, various
associations across Europe, and a wider public as well as with grantees and
other funders. The Director will work with colleagues across the Foundations to
assure that all activities in Europe are well aligned with each other as well
as with the global work of the Foundations. The Director will report to the
President of the Open Society Foundations and will be accountable to the
President and to a sub-board of the European Initiative for the quality,
effectiveness, and integrity of all activities.
oversee an expanded program of grant-making, and build partnerships with others
working across Europe for similar objectives. The Director will serve as a
spokesperson for the Open Society Foundations, articulating the values and mission
of the Foundations in dealing with academic audiences, journalists, various
associations across Europe, and a wider public as well as with grantees and
other funders. The Director will work with colleagues across the Foundations to
assure that all activities in Europe are well aligned with each other as well
as with the global work of the Foundations. The Director will report to the
President of the Open Society Foundations and will be accountable to the
President and to a sub-board of the European Initiative for the quality,
effectiveness, and integrity of all activities.
In expanding OSIFE, the Director will work closely
with several components of the Open Society Foundations already active in
Europe. These include OSF’s office in Brussels, whose Director will continue
overseeing advocacy and research focused on the EU’s institutions and
member-states and the Council of Europe; several national foundations within
the OSF network that have long pursued open society values through their own
grant-making and operations; and various thematic programs that focus on human
rights , equality, arts and culture, education, justice, media and information,
and youth. The Director will assume direct oversight of existing programs that
support efforts to eliminate xenophobia and encourage social inclusion of all
groups.
with several components of the Open Society Foundations already active in
Europe. These include OSF’s office in Brussels, whose Director will continue
overseeing advocacy and research focused on the EU’s institutions and
member-states and the Council of Europe; several national foundations within
the OSF network that have long pursued open society values through their own
grant-making and operations; and various thematic programs that focus on human
rights , equality, arts and culture, education, justice, media and information,
and youth. The Director will assume direct oversight of existing programs that
support efforts to eliminate xenophobia and encourage social inclusion of all
groups.
Education / Experience
Candidates should have at least five years of
experience in responsible positions in non-profit organizations, foundations,
government, or academic institutions. Candidates should have a demonstrated
capacity to manage in a complex, diverse organization that works in creative
partnerships. Candidates should have demonstrated an ability to take and manage
risk, communicate effectively in multiple media, coach members of a professional
staff , and work successfully as part of a leadership team in both routine and
highly pressured contexts.
experience in responsible positions in non-profit organizations, foundations,
government, or academic institutions. Candidates should have a demonstrated
capacity to manage in a complex, diverse organization that works in creative
partnerships. Candidates should have demonstrated an ability to take and manage
risk, communicate effectively in multiple media, coach members of a professional
staff , and work successfully as part of a leadership team in both routine and
highly pressured contexts.
Skills Required
To lead its Initiative for Europe, OSF seeks a
dynamic individual with a passion for the European project, an appreciation for
Europe’s diversity and many national identities, and an understanding of its
many constituent parts, especially its youth. The director of OSIFE must be a
strategic thinker with a deep, personal commitment to open society values.
Proficiency in multiple European languages is a plus; the ability to travel
frequently within Europe and internationally is essential.
dynamic individual with a passion for the European project, an appreciation for
Europe’s diversity and many national identities, and an understanding of its
many constituent parts, especially its youth. The director of OSIFE must be a
strategic thinker with a deep, personal commitment to open society values.
Proficiency in multiple European languages is a plus; the ability to travel
frequently within Europe and internationally is essential.
Compensation
Commensurate with experience.
Closing Date: Tuesday, 14 May 2013
