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. We are committed to promoting human dignity, equality, and rights; reimagining democratic ideals and practice; and advancing equity in governance systems. This is work worth doing.
Program Manager, Economic and Climate Prosperity
Program Manager, Economic and Climate Prosperity. Johannesburg. Posting Date: 10/16/2026. Deadline: 10/29/2026
Role Title: Program Manager, Economic and Climate Prosperity
Contract Type: Permanent
Workstyle Arrangement: Hybrid
Reporting To: Associate Director, Programs
Department: Programs
Location:, Johannesburg, Nairobi
Team Name: Economic and Climate Prosperity
Opportunity or Team description
Join 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 Purpose
The 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 initiatives
Combining 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 responsibilities
Strategy and Country Planning
- Develop
country-level work plans including mapping of policy windows and
politically feasible pathways for reform
- 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
Policy Analysis and Influence
- Translating
technical evidence into policy options, briefs and engagement strategies
- Supporting
partners to influence policy design, implementation and accountability
Stakeholder Relationships and Representation
- Represent
ECP in relevant policy forums and build trusted relationships with
government, public finance institutions, civil society, research
organisations, private-sector actors and regional institutions
- Managing
sensitive relationships in complex or contested political environment.
- Convening
stakeholders with different interests
- Work
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 bodies
Grant and Consultant Contract Management
- 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
- Contribute
to larger opportunity strategy
- Process
and oversee progress of consultant contracts
Monitoring and Reporting
- Monitor
progress implementation, project risks, and other relevant status updates
and communicate to Associate Director of Programs regularly
The ideal candidate (essential criteria)
Essential Education
- University
degree or equivalent experience.
Essential Experience
- Substantial
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 similar
- Willingness
to travel internationally and adjust working h
Desirable Experience
- Experience
bringing grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs), climate
activists, and government together to create unified policy positions that
can influence government decisions
- Background
in creating and executing log-frames and theory-of-change models
- Experience
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.
Language
- Fluency
in English and knowledge of other languages is desirable.
Travel
- Travel
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 coordination
- Able
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 planning
- Working
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 sectors
- Knowledge
of grant making best practices and the field of philanthropy Ability
to build synergies, strengthen movements, and identify and fill capacity
gaps across fields
- Demonstrate
care and concern about partner organizations and the people who work in
them
Personal Competencies:
- Able
to build consensus with diverse audiences/stakeholders Possesses cultural
sensitivity to work respectfully and effectively in different
settings
- Ability
to work independently and being self-motivatedDemonstrates commitment to
OSF’s core values of humility, commitment, collaboration, respect,
inclusivity and integrity
- Proven
experience in collaborating with multi-country stakeholders
- Willingness
to adjust working hours to include calls and discussions with colleagues
and vendors located in various geographic regions
- Commitment to continuous learning and growth in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and social justice
- Able and willing to conduct
international travel
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.
- 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 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.
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.