MINELRES: Job opening: Program Officer, OSI MHI

[minelres@lists.microlink.lv]

Original sender: Gabriella Valus <applications@admingroup.hu>


Open Society Institute
Mental Health Initiative 


Program Officer 
(Budapest based)

Background:

The Open Society Mental Health Initiative (MHI) is a part of the Public Health 
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. MHI promotes the social inclusion of people with mental 
disabilities by supporting the development of community-based alternatives to 
institutionalization and by actively engaging in policy based advocacy. MHI is 
both a grant making and an operational program, providing training and 
technical assistance to its partner organizations. MHI operates in Central and 
Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

The Program Officer is involved with program development and implementation and 
reports to the Program Director. This post is based in Budapest, Hungary.

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. 

- Works with the Program Director and the other Program Staff on the 
development and implementation of MHI's country strategies, including 
monitoring and evaluation of programs;
- Manages part of MHI's grant making activities in designated countries of 
Central and            Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Maintains 
active correspondence with local partners and grantees, reviews grant 
applications and conducts on-site interviews and monitoring visits throughout 
MHI's target region;
- Represents MHI at meetings within the OSI/Soros Foundations network and 
outside at conferences and other relevant meetings and events; 
- Coordinates and/or oversees the development of training events and exchange 
visits in response to the needs of MHI's grantees and partners;
- Liaises with OSI programs, National Soros Foundations and other partners and 
donors with missions congruent to that of MHI;
- Participates and coordinates on-site monitoring and technical assistance 
visits in collaboration with MHI staff and consultants, including preparation 
of written reports; 
- Assists National Soros Foundations in strategy development, implementation 
and evaluation, as applicable.
- Develops and coordinates training of MHI partners and other relevant 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. 
- Coordinates MHI's effort to ensure the sustainability of partner NGOs 
throughout the region, including assisting in the development of advocacy 
strategies at the national, European and international levels; 
- Develops and oversees calls for proposals and/or grant competitions 
throughout CEE and the FSU in collaboration with National Soros Foundation 
and/or other partners.
- Initiates grant contracts and liaises with the Office and Finance Coordinator 
to  complete them.
- Administers all personal financial transactions including cash advances, 
reimbursements for business expenses and corporate Visa payments.


QUALIFICATIONS 

Essential:

- Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in program development and 
management. 
- Graduate degree in law, social work or other relevant field.
- Native or near native skills in oral and written English, Russian and/or 
other regional languages a plus.  
- Excellent analytical and organizational 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. 
- Willingness to travel internationally on a frequent basis. 
- Demonstrated interest in mental health, human rights and disability issues. 
- Excellent computer skills 

Preferred Qualifications:

- Knowledge of Central Eastern Europe/former Soviet Union
- Experience in the human rights/mental disability field

START DATE: Immediate opening

TO APPLY: Send curriculum vitae, cover letter, salary requirements, three 
reference contacts and a maximum 2 page writing sample in English about the 
relevance of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities to 
MHI's work in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union by March 
20, 2009 to applications@admingroup.hu . In the subject line please indicate 
Program Officer - MHI.

Further information on the Open Society Mental Health Initiative is available 
at www.osmhi.org

OSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer which supports diversity and does not 
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, nationality, 
gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation.

TM and Copyright � 2009 Open Society Institute. All rights reserved


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