Program Manager, Economic and Climate Prosperity

Open Society Foundations; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 800.000 - 1.300.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Health insurance

Flexible work arrangements

Generous time off

Parental leave support

Zusammenfassung

Open Society Foundations in Johannesburg is seeking a Program Manager for Economic and Climate Prosperity to lead country-level work in South Africa and Senegal. The role blends policy analysis, grant-making and partnerships to advance national priorities and regional initiatives.

You will drive strategy, manage grants and consultants, engage government, civil society, researchers and regional bodies, and coordinate across OSF teams. A hybrid work model and international travel are expected.

Qualifikationen

• University degree or equivalent experience.
• Substantial relevant experience in green industrial policy, international finance and trade systems.
• Experience working with national governments or development banks.
• Ability to translate technical evidence into policy options.
• Excellent command of English.

Aufgaben

• Develop country-level work plans and manage grant processes.
• Translate technical evidence into policy options, briefs and engagement strategies.
• Represent OSF in policy forums and build trusted relationships with government, CSOs and research bodies.
• Manage grant-making and consultant contracts, processing, payments and reporting.
• Monitor progress, risks and status updates for the Associate Director.

Kenntnisse

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Grant management

English proficiency

Ausbildung

University degree

Jobbeschreibung

Program Manager, Economic and Climate Prosperity. Johannesburg. Posting Date: 10/16/2026. Deadline: 10/29/2026Role Title: Program Manager, Economic and Climate ProsperityContract Type: PermanentWorkstyle Arrangement: HybridReporting To: Associate Director, ProgramsDepartment: ProgramsLocation:, Johannesburg, NairobiTeam Name: Economic and Climate ProsperityOpportunity or Team descriptionJoin the Economic and Climate Prosperity team to lead the design, implementation and ongoing development of country-level work in South Africa and Senegal. You will combine technical analysis, policy engagement, grant-making and partnerships to advance national and regional priorities.The opportunity explores how Global South countries can shape decisions on climate change, finance and the global fiscal landscape, including climate finance, loss and damage, equitable debt reform and global tax reform. Strong knowledge of South Africa’s policy environment will be central to your work.Role PurposeThe Program Manager will lead the design, implementation and ongoing development of Economic and Climate Prosperity’s country-level work in South Africa and Senegal, while contributing to selected regional and pan-African initiativesCombining technical policy expertise, political-economy analysis, grant-making and partnership development, the role will advance national and regional priorities in green industrial policy, international finance and trade systems. Strong understanding of South Africa’s policy environment and trusted relationships with government, development finance institutions and other partners will be central to identifying opportunities and influencing policy design, implementation and accountability.Key responsibilitiesStrategy and Country PlanningDevelop country-level work plans including mapping of policy windows and politically feasible pathways for reformEffectively manage the grant-making process by communicating with grantees for proposal submission, assisting in grant record preparation, grants processing, payments, reporting, and other related processesPolicy Analysis and InfluenceTranslating technical evidence into policy options, briefs and engagement strategiesSupporting partners to influence policy design, implementation and accountabilityStakeholder Relationships and RepresentationRepresent ECP in relevant policy forums and build trusted relationships with government, public finance institutions, civil society, research organisations, private-sector actors and regional institutionsManaging sensitive relationships in complex or contested political environment.Convening stakeholders with different interestsWork collaboratively with other members within ECP and with colleagues across OSF to ensure the opportunity is effectively leveraging OSF’s capabilities to reach the agreed outcome.Build relationships with senior government officials, public institutions, development finance institutions, civil society, researchers, private-sector actors and regional bodiesGrant and Consultant Contract ManagementEffectively manage the grant-making process by communicating with grantees for proposal submission, assisting in grant record preparation, grants processing, payments, reporting, and other related processesContribute to larger opportunity strategyProcess and oversee progress of consultant contractsMonitoring and ReportingMonitor progress implementation, project risks, and other relevant status updates and communicate to Associate Director of Programs regularlyThe ideal candidate (essential criteria)Essential EducationUniversity degree or equivalent experience.Essential ExperienceSubstantial relevant experience in green industrial policy, international finance and trade systems.Experience working with national governments, national development banks and/or other development finance institutions.Strong understanding of South Africa’s political and policy environment, with demonstrated ability to navigate policy processes.Ability to assess how political institutions, stakeholder interests, incentives and power dynamics affect policy design and implementation.Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with government officials, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders.Ability to translate technical evidence into policy options, briefs and engagement strategies.Experience collaborating with stakeholders across countries.Excellent command of English.Extensive experience in program/grant management, climate policy, or sustainable finance or similarWillingness to travel internationally and adjust working hDesirable ExperienceExperience bringing grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs), climate activists, and government together to create unified policy positions that can influence government decisionsBackground in creating and executing log-frames and theory-of-change modelsExperience designing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), evaluating grant applications from local civil society organizations, structuring grant contracts, and managing a multi-million Rand portfolio of disbursements.LanguageFluency in English and knowledge of other languages is desirable.TravelTravel is required. Travel frequency depends on the role requirements.Functional Competencies:Managing Learning across South Africa, Senegal and regional work in collaboration with OSF’s Strategy and Impact Unit (SIU).Conceives, designs and manages cross-department, cross-program or similarly complex projects; expected to effectively manage time, budget and stakeholders and network-wide or similarly complex coordinationAble to generate, capture and organize information and knowledge to deliver prescribed outcomes including country strategies and workplan development.Ability to conduct research to drive decision making by managementExperience in budgeting, strategic analysis and planningWorking well with a variety of public, private and NGO stakeholdersBuilding and maintaining networks of stakeholders including political-economy analysis and policy influenceIdentify strategic partners and promote strategic cooperation with governmental and other sectorsKnowledge of grant making best practices and the field of philanthropy Ability to build synergies, strengthen movements, and identify and fill capacity gaps across fieldsDemonstrate care and concern about partner organizations and the people who work in themPersonal Competencies:Able to build consensus with diverse audiences/stakeholders Possesses cultural sensitivity to work respectfully and effectively in different settingsAbility to work independently and being self-motivatedDemonstrates commitment to OSF’s core values of humility, commitment, collaboration, respect, inclusivity and integrityProven experience in collaborating with multi-country stakeholdersWillingness to adjust working hours to include calls and discussions with colleagues and vendors located in various geographic regionsCommitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and social justiceAble and willing to conduct international travelWhat we offerExceptional 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.Staff are required to work in an Open Society office 50% of working days per month.Employer-paid health insurance 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 areOpen 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.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.