Job Opportunity: Program Officer, Health Media Project, OSI

The Open Society Institute seeks a full-time Program Officer in its New York office to assist with the Institute's Public Health Program's (PHP) Health Media Project. This cross-cutting project aims to improve the capacity of public health NGOs to utilize media and to communicate effectively with the public and policy makers, and to facilitate the ability of media to raise awareness about marginalized populations and stigmatized issues. These issues include harm reduction, Roma health, palliative care, sexual health and rights, and human rights and health.

The Public Health Program aims to promote health policies based on social inclusion, human rights, justice, and scientific evidence. The Program works with civil society organizations within two fields: promoting the participation and interests of socially marginalized groups in public health policy and fostering greater government accountability and transparency through civil society monitoring and advocacy, with a particular emphasis on HIV and AIDS. Program areas focus on addressing the human rights and health needs of marginalized persons, facilitating access to health information, and advocating for a strong civil society role in public health policy and practice. For further information on PHP, visit http://www.soros.org/health online.

The Health Media Program Officer will report to the PHP Deputy Director in New York. Responsibilities include facilitating the further development of PHP's health media funding strategy; overseeing health media grant giving, including drafting of requests for proposals, solicitation and evaluation of proposals, preparation of documentation, follow-up with grantees, program monitoring and evaluation; identifying and facilitating media technical assistance for grantees and partners; working with Soros foundations, OSI offices, experts and partners on program development and collaboration; developing joint initiatives with OSI's Media Program, which seeks to promote independent, professional, and viable media and quality journalism; organizing, coordinating, and traveling to meetings, conferences, partnerships, and special events; preparing background papers, literature reviews, and information searches, planning, tracking and managing the health media budget; and conducting other project activities as assigned.

Qualifications include a minimum of five years work experience in media, communications, or journalism; a Master's degree in media/journalism/communications preferred; previous NGO work experience and knowledge of HIV/AIDS preferred; work experience in CEE/FSU and/or southern/eastern Africa; excellent written, verbal and organizational skills; a commitment to working as a member of a team as well as commitment to excellence; flexibility and willingness to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks and projects and ability to prioritize tasks; the ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds; attention to detail and the ability to work well under pressure; a pleasant, diplomatic manner and disposition in interacting with senior management, co-workers and the general public; and knowledge of at least one foreign language is a plus.

The salary is commensurate with experience, and the position starts immediately.

To apply, send résumé and cover letter to: [email protected] -- be sure to include "PHP" in subject line. You can also mail or fax: Open Society Institute, Human Resources -- PHP, 400 West 59th Street, New York, New York 10019, fax: (212) 548-4675. No phone calls please. The Open Society Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Open Society Institute (OSI) works to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens. Open societies are characterized by the rule of law; respect for human rights, minorities, and a diversity of opinions; democratically elected governments; market economies in which business and government are separate; and a civil society that helps keep government power in check. To achieve its mission, OSI seeks to shape public policies that assure greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguard fundamental rights. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to advance justice, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI builds alliances across borders and continents on issues such as corruption and freedom of information. OSI places high priority on protecting and improving the lives of marginalized people and communities.