MINELRES: Job opening: Senior Program Manager, Open Society Mental Health Initiative

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Original sender: Katie Lipp <klipp@osi.hu>


Open Society Institute
Mental Health Initiative 

Senior Program Manager 
Job Description

Background:

The Open Society Mental Health Initiative (MHI) is a program of the Open
Society Institute (OSI) based in Budapest. OSI is a private operating
and grant making foundation which aims to shape public policy, to
promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and
social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives
to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent
media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and
continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.

MHI seeks to ensure that people with mental disabilities (mental health
problems and/or intellectual disabilities) are able to live as equal
citizens in the community and to participate in society with full
respect for their human rights. The focus of MHI's activities is to end
the unjustified and inappropriate institutionalization of people with
mental disabilities in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet
Union ('the region') by advocating for the closure of institutions and
the development of community-based alternatives. The recent adoption of
the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which in
Article 19 sets out the right of people with disabilities to live
independently and to be included in the community, highlights the
importance of such work. 

MHI is both a grant making and an operational program, providing
training and technical assistance to its partner organizations. It
provides sustained and strategic financial and technical support for the
development of community-based alternatives to institutionalization and
other community-based programs that advocate for the social inclusion of
people with mental disabilities.  MHI partner organizations throughout
the region are providing services such as early intervention, inclusive
education, community-based housing, and supported employment, which make
it possible for people with mental disabilities to live as equal
citizens in their communities. 

MHI also advocates for the active involvement of international donors
and intergovernmental organizations in the development of quality
comprehensive community-based services and policies that promote the
human rights and social inclusion of people with mental disabilities.

Summary of the Post:

The MHI Senior Program Manager is responsible for MHI's grant-making
program and related activities which are focused on developing
sustainable high quality community-based services and advocating for the
social inclusion of people with mental disabilities. Working with the
Program Director, the Senior Program Manager plans and implements
strategies to support and enhance the work of MHI and in particular MHI
grantees, for example through providing technical support, assistance
with organizational development, and organizing training events.  S/he
reports to the Program Director in Budapest.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the post
holder may be asked to undertake other duties from time to time as
requested by the Program   Director. 

Program Management 
�       Assists the MHI Program Director in planning and implementing MHI's
strategy across all programs;
�       Manages MHI's Grants Program in CEE and the fSU, including
participating in regular on site visits to target countries;
�       Manages and supervises the work of MHI staff and consultants who are
responsible for program implementation throughout CEE and the FSU;  
�       Represents MHI at meetings and conferences within the OSI/Soros
Foundations network and with outside partners; 
�       Liaises with OSI programs, National Soros Foundations and other
partners and donors with missions congruent to that of MHI;
�       Supervises MHI's training and technical assistance programs throughout
the region;

Program Development
�       Leads MHI's effort to ensure the sustainability of mental disability
NGOs throughout the region, including country specific strategy
development and program implementation at the national, European and
international levels; 
�       Develops and coordinates cooperation with donors to support
community-based services and policy efforts in CEE/FSU. Supervises
fundraising and fund-leveraging efforts on behalf of MHI grantees;
�       Assists National Soros Foundations in strategy development,
implementation and evaluation, as relevant;
�       Develops and supervises training of key constituencies crucial to the
creation of sustainable mental disability efforts, including but not
limited to: donors, medical and public health professionals, public
officials and policy makers, lawyers, and National Soros Foundation
staff; 
�       Establishes appropriate links with stakeholder groups including
government, health and social care providers, consumers of services, and
family members;
�       Develops and oversees communications and strategies to reach multiple
stakeholder groups, focusing on attracting the attention of mainstream
human rights organizations to mental disability issues.

Grant making
�       Develops and oversees calls for proposals and/or grant competitions
throughout CEE and the FSU in collaboration with MHI staff.
�       Manages the grants review process, including review of proposals and
provides technical support to review panels and the MHI Board in
collaboration with program staff. 

Finances and Budgets
�       Approves expenses and grant payments as authorized by the Program
Director.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Essential:
�       Proven leadership and management skills. 
�       Minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in  human rights and/or
the mental health/ disability field  
�       Post Graduate Degree in law, human rights, health, sociology,
psychology, social work or other relevant field.
�       Proven experience in program and grant management including monitoring
and evaluation. 
�       Native or near native skills in oral and written English.  
�       Excellent analytical and organizational skills. 
�       Proven advocacy and/or community organizing skills. 
�       Ability to work as a team member and independently, with high level of
self-motivation. 
�       Ability to effectively manage several projects simultaneously in a
fast-paced working environment. 
�       Ability to listen and communicate clearly and effectively with people
from diverse cultures and backgrounds, including socially excluded
groups and government officials.
�       Willingness to travel internationally on a frequent basis. 
�       A strong interest in mental health and disability issues 
�       Excellent computer skills 

Preferred:
�       Experience in fundraising and/or fund leveraging.
�       Knowledge of Central and Eastern Europe and/or the former Soviet
Union.

SALARY:  Commensurate with experience, with full benefits 

START DATE: Immediate Opening 

TO APPLY: Send a writing sample (1500 word maximum) on how the UN
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can be used to
further the work of MHI, curriculum vitae, cover letter, and three
reference contacts by February 19, 2007 to:

Ms. Dora Felegyhazi
E-mail: applications@adminconsult.hu

No phone calls please.

The Open Society Institute is an Equal Opportunity
Employer.

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