Program Manager

Open Society Foundations; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

An international foundation is seeking a Program Manager in Johannesburg to enhance efforts in Africa's mining sector, focusing on governance and equity in critical minerals. The role involves coordinating with various partners, managing grant processes, and ensuring the project's success through effective stakeholder engagement. Ideal candidates will possess a degree, relevant experience, and fluency in local languages. The position offers competitive benefits and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Generous time off

Employer-paid health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Professional development allowance

Qualifications

• Multiple years’ experience in relevant field.
• Extensive expertise in the critical minerals sector.
• Understanding of governance and equity in resource extraction.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with grantees and partners for project implementation.
• Manage grant-making processes and communications.
• Monitor implementation progress and communicate updates.

Skills

Project management

Advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Fluency in local languages

Education

Degree-level education

Post-graduate education relevant to opportunities

Job description

Program Manager. Johannesburg. Posting Date: 10/09/2025. Deadline: 10/10/2025

Overview

The opportunity will focus on Africa’s mining sector, which is central to the global green transition due to its rich reserves of critical minerals. However, weak governance and inequitable contracts have limited local benefits. Addressing power imbalances and environmental harm through stronger value chain capabilities and regional collaboration is essential for a just and sustainable future.

Role Purpose

The Program Manager will be responsible for day-to-day liaison and coordination with grantee and partner organizations. The Program Manager will play a critical role with implementing the opportunity, which may use a variety of OSF’s strategic capabilities, including advocacy, impact investing, strategic litigation, in addition to grant making. The expectation is that the Program Manager is a subject matter expert in the specific opportunity.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Director of Programs to deliver on the opportunity’s outcomes with professionalism
• Deliver on day-to-day liaison with grantees to ensure the opportunity is designed, launched, implemented, and exited according to the outcomes defined
• Work collaboratively with other members within the opportunity team and with colleagues across OSF to ensure the opportunity is effectively leveraging OSF’s capabilities to reach the agreed outcome
• Effectively manage the grant-making process by communicating with grantees for proposal submission, assisting in grant record preparation, grants processing, payments, reporting, and other related processes
• Build a strong understanding of the field and partnerships, in developing and designing the grant selection processes
• Manage relationships with partners, in close coordination with Geographic Policy Groups as relevant, and work with them to achieve OSF’s strategic objective through the opportunity
• Work collaboratively in developing, assessing, and revising program strategies
• Work with leadership to maintain grant-making practice aligned with OSF's approach to grant-making and in compliance with organizational and external standards and regulations
• Assist in the construction, maintenance, and assessment of grant making portfolio(s), sharing responsibility for strategy design with manager
• Contribute to larger opportunity strategy
• Process and oversee progress of consultant contracts
• Monitor progress implementation, project risks, and other relevant status updates and communicate to Director of Programs regularly

Key internal relationships

Director, Programs; Managing Director Programs; Core Partners, Special Advisors, Grants Management, Operations

Key external relationships

External Partners

The ideal candidate

• Educated to a degree-level (or equivalent)
• Post-graduate education relevant to the types of Opportunities that Open Society Foundations will invest in.
• Multiple years’ experience (in one or multiple organisations) where proficiency in the specific field or subject area has been comprehensively developed
• Extensive expertise in the specific topic area as set out in the “Opportunity Description” above. Experience with access to justice in mining and the impact of resource extraction in communities.
• Specific technical strength and knowledge of critical minerals management and metals policy.
• An understanding of the critical minerals value chains and financing
• Prior working experience of operating within the non-profit community (for example multi-lateral, NGO, foundation or ambassadorial working environments)
• Fluent in local language where the role is based. Proficiency in Portuguese and or French is an added advantage
• Demonstrable expertise on Africa, global critical minerals landscape and the associated developmental and governance strategic opportunities for the continent. In addition, practical experience doing high level work in critical minerals rich African countries highly desired

What we offer

• Exceptional opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact; from a generous annual professional development allowance for every employee to onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts.
• Excellent benefits and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including:
• Generous time off and flexible work arrangements.
• Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families (no employee contribution required).
• Exceptional retirement savings plan (non-contributory for employees) and life insurance.
• Progressive paid parental leave, reproductive and family planning support, and much more.
• A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, so you can bring your whole self to work and make a positive impact.

Who we are

Open Society Foundations aim to establish vibrant and inclusive democracies where governments are accountable to their citizens. Our operating model organizes grantmaking around specific, time-limited projects, developed alongside support for established partners, enabling us to respond swiftly to emerging needs. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems.

Guided by our founder’s values and the belief in the art of the possible, we engage directly with global entities, individuals, and policymakers through grants, advocacy, impact investing, and strategic human rights litigation to drive positive change. At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to rights, equity, and justice, inspiring every action we take.

Additional information

Open Society Foundations is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We actively seek applications from talented individuals across all backgrounds, identities, and life experiences. Each candidate is evaluated solely on their unique qualifications without regard to race, age, sex, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities.

Competitive rates of pay apply.

Open Society Foundations is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and to building a diverse staff that reflects the movements, issues and communities that our mission serves. Candidates from all underrepresented backgrounds, identities and communities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and colleagues with disabilities.