Role Title: Associate Director, Programs Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)

Contract Type: Regular

Workstyle Arrangement: Hybrid 

Reporting To: Managing Director, Programs LAC

Department: Programs

Location: Bogota, Mexico City, and Rio de Janeiro

Team Name: Programs, LAC

Role purpose: 

Associate Directors are accomplished, networked in their field, and bring deep experience in their thematic area of specialty.  Associate Directors will support the Managing Directors office as well as Opportunities assigned to their regions.

The expectation is that the Associate Directors will be strong managers, as well as subject matter experts for differing opportunities, able to build teams and work closely with OVP, Directors of Programs and Program Managers in building a collaborative culture of both risk-taking and teamwork.  

Key responsibilities: 

• Support the Managing Director, Programs LAC, for articulating a creative and exciting opening to make impact in the world into a workable project plan for implementation according to established criteria.

• Support the Managing Director, Programs LAC to ensure appropriate financial, risk, and legal management and control are articulated during the planning and implementation phase, and work with all relevant stakeholders to develop mitigation plans.

• Support the Managing Director, Programs LAC with resource requirements.

• Engage with embedded staff from other OSF teams in close cooperation with senior leaders.

• Monitor and regularly report on the progress of the various opportunities assigned to the LAC region to the Managing Director of Programs and other senior OSF leaders.

• Leverage OSF’s work globally and employ the strategic capabilities of impact investment, strategic litigation, and advocacy to the opportunity. 

• Represent the sub-set theme of given opportunity issues externally at all levels and grow a network accordingly that includes actors beyond the social sector into national and local governments, multilateral organizations, faith-based groups, grass-roots organizations, philanthropy, local experts, academia and think tanks, etc. to advance the opportunity. Depending on the opportunity this might include developing strong relationships with other funders and bringing them as partners into the opportunity. 

• Oversee the effective management of the grant-making process (across the portfolio of opportunities) by communicating with grantees for proposal submission, assisting in grant record preparation, grants processing, payments, reporting, and other related processes.

• Manage relationships with partners, in close coordination with Regional Policy Groups as relevant, and work with them to achieve OSF’s strategic objective through the opportunity.

• Collaborate with the other Managing Director Units Associate Directors to work more collaboratively, efficiently sharing ideas and modelling where appropriate.

• Deputise for the Managing Director, Programs LAC (as and when required); and resolve challenges and operational delivery issues with the Program team prior to required escalation to the Director of Programs.

The ideal candidate 

• Multiple years’ experience (in one or multiple organisations) where proficiency in the specific field or subject area has been comprehensively developed.

• Extensive leadership expertise in the various topics set out by our bodies of work.

• Prior financial ($5m+), legal and risk accountability at large-scale programmatic level.

• 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.

• Prior experience in operational resource planning (people) and people leadership experience of an internationally team (remote to the Associate Director's location).

• 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. 

• Ability to conduct research to drive decision making by management.

• Skilled in drawing out patterns. 

• 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.

• 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.

• Skilled at resource planning and ensuring effective operational management of a programmatic theme.

• Leadership capability to lead an opportunity (where required) and set out clear direction and strategy (when needed).

• Operational people management supervisory capability.

• 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-motivated.

• 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.  

• Demonstrates commitment to OSF’s core values of humility, commitment, collaboration, respect, inclusivity and integrity.

• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion by recognizing and responding positively to individual and group differences in the workplace and beyond. Building an inclusive workplace by respecting and seeking out diverse viewpoints and perspectives.

Travel

• Travel is required. Travel frequency depends on the role requirements.

Language

• An excellent knowledge of English and fluency of the local language i.e. Spanish (where this is not English)

• Knowledge of other languages would be an asset

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. 

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. 

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.