Subject: [Vacancy:] Program Officer at MacArthur Foundation Moscow office
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009
From: Hope McKinnis <HMcKinni@MACFOUND.ORG>
The John D. and Catherine T. Macarthur Foundation
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Program Officer for Human Rights, Moscow Office
Program on Global Security and Sustainability
Human Rights and International Justice
The MacArthur Foundation in the Russian Federation
The Foundation established a special grantmaking initiative for Russia in 1991 and has maintained an office in Moscow since 1992. The Foundation's grantmaking in Russia seeks to support universities and other institutions engaged in research and training; enhance the skills and capacities of scholar-practitioners, and sustain and encourage links among them and with their colleagues abroad; and further the rule of law. The Foundation currently makes two types of grants in the Russian Federation: grants for universities and scholarly infrastructure, and for human rights. The human rights program in Russia is part of a larger endeavor that includes the promotion of international and regional human rights organizations and institutions of international justice, as well as support for human rights in Mexico and Nigeria.
Position Description
The Human Rights Program Officer, based in Moscow, works with the staff of the MacArthur Foundation’s Moscow office and with the Foundation’s Chicago-based staff on all aspects of the Foundation’s Human Rights and International Justice grantmaking in the Russian Federation. The programmatic strategy is designed to strengthen a Russia-wide network of human rights organizations that can provide effective monitoring of human rights issues, disseminate information on human rights matters to broad domestic and international audiences, and support the rule of law in Russia. Currently there are three specific grantmaking emphases: police reform, improving Russian use of the European Court of Human Rights, and support for regional human rights ombudsman. Grants include support for both core Moscow-based human rights institutions and key human rights organizations in a number of Russian regions.
The Program Officer has responsibility for identifying prospective grant recipients, convening meetings of human rights specialists, assessing ongoing work in the field, developing funding strategies, preparing grant recommendations, monitoring grant activities, and keeping current on new opportunities and issues in the field. He or she will divide reporting responsibilities between the Director of the MacArthur office in Moscow and the Director of the Human Rights and International Justice Program area in Chicago. On a daily basis, he or she will assist the Moscow Office Director in outlining and implementing the MacArthur Foundation’s strategy and policies in Russia. For grantmaking activities such as developing a work plan, identifying prospective grantees, preparing materials for Board recommendations, and submitting reports of site visits and grantee performance, he or she will report to the Program Area Director in Chicago. The Program Officer will be expected to undertake significant amounts of travel to selected regions of Russia and at least one visit annually to Chicago. This is a full-time position.
Qualifications
A post-graduate degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent expertise and experience; significant experience in public interest or nongovernmental organizations, and/or in government policymaking; knowledge of human rights issues in Russia; excellent analytic skills; fluency in both Russian and English, with superior writing skills in both languages; discretion and appreciation of the special role of a grantmaking institution; the capacity to work collaboratively with colleagues in a transnational institution where cross-program and interdisciplinary cooperation is encouraged. Previous grantmaking or grantseeking experience preferred.
Compensation
Competitive salary for an experienced professional and excellent benefits.
Application
To apply, candidates should visit www.macfound.org, click on “About the Foundation” and then “Career Opportunities”. (Electronic Submissions are preferred.) Application deadline: March 15, 2009. No Phone Inquiries.
The Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and benefits from the various perspectives and talents of a racially and culturally diverse staff.