Program Manager. Seoul. Posting Date: 06/13/2025. Deadline: 06/27/2025

Role Title: Program Manager

Reporting To: Geographic Lead

Program/Department/Unit Name: Programs

Location: Colombo, Kuala Lumpur or Seoul

Team Name: Programs

Role Purpose:

Support the Asia Geographic Lead in the development and implementation of the visions for Open Society work in the region. Lead the development and implementation of regional priorities that advance social justice for marginalized communities based on gender, race and other identities. Manage grants attached to the purpose in the region outside of Opportunities and responsible for coordinating gender and/or other relevant policy groups.

In addition, act as the point of contact for internal and external stakeholders to advance strategic advocacy objectives. In doing so, the incumbent may leverage a variety of OSF’s organizational capabilities, including impact investing, strategic litigation, grant-making and advocacy.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Asia Geographic Lead (either Director or Managing Director Programs), the Geographic Program Manager’s key responsibilities are as follows:

Serve as the social justice focal point for the region responsible for interface with regional and global advocacy.
Support the Geographic Lead, to ensure that OSF priorities on social justice are rooted and grounded in local knowledge, contexts, experiences and expertise, taking due cognisance of the differing contexts and political spaces in which we work.
Establish and coordinate social justice Policy Groups and assist other geographic Policy Groups. Ensure the contextual updates, policy needs, challenges, and opportunities are identified and prioritized to ensure the Policy Groups engages appropriately.
Support Geographic Lead office to develop social justice indicators and benchmarks for integrated MEL for program coherence and contextual relevance.
Develop a comprehensive social justice partnership, policy and methodology for sustainable engagement with relevant social movements, civil society groups, think tanks, and policymakers in consultation with the Geographic Lead.
Commission studies, convene dialogues, and design overall approach to social justice work in the region.
Input into strategies, workplans, and program evaluations/reviews of other OSF Opportunities, strategic capabilities, and operational functions on issues of social justice.
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.
Process and oversee progress of consultant contracts.
Monitor progress implementation, project risks, and other relevant status updates and communicate to Geographic Lead regularly.
Support the Geographic Policy Lead to ensure coherence of Open Society policies and approaches in specific geographies, across opportunities, network grants, and rapid response.
Support the Geographic Policy Lead with guiding, supporting, and executing the purpose of Geographic Policy Groups and coordinating with internal colleagues and external partners and actors.

People Responsibilities (Total Team/DRs

Key internal relationships

Director, Programs; Managing Director Programs; Associate Directors, Programs; Network Grants; Special Advisors; Grants Management; Operations teams including People and Culture; Advocacy Advisers; Global Gender and Racial Justice policy groups, and Regional Program Managers.

Key external relationships

External Partners

The ideal candidate

Multiple years’ experience (in one or multiple organisations) on women’s rights and racial justice and demonstrated leadership in these issue
Experience working with or a strong understanding of racial and gender justice movements and organizations, and global and regional institutions focused on women’s rights and racial justice
Prior working experience of operating within the diplomatic community (for example multi-lateral, NGO, foundation or ambassadorial working environments)
Proven track record in policy advocacy and global coalition-building, including engagement with policymakers, civil society organizations, and multilateral institutions
Demonstrated experience in advocacy and programmatic work in international contexts, with a focus on the geography where the role is based
Fluency in a language of the geography where the role is based
Relevant expertise and experience in gender and racial justice policy-making, advocacy, grant-making, and movement-building (thematic and/or geographic)
Experience in budgeting, strategic analysis and planning
Working well with a variety of public, private and NGO stakeholders
Building and maintaining networks of stakeholders
Promote strategic cooperation with governmental and other sectors
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 coordination
An excellent knowledge of English and fluency in a local language relevant to the geography.

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
A commitment to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workplace, so you can bring your whole self to work and make a positive impact

Description of the organization

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.

This position was originally posted by OSF and has been curated by PurposePhil Career. To apply, please visit the original listing on the "apply" link below. We are not affiliated with the employer organization of this job ad or consultancy, and provide this curated listing as a service to our users.

Fund for Policy Reform Inc. (Korea)

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