Job Description

Director - Programs. Amman. Posting Date: 03/18/2026. Deadline: 04/02/2026

Role Title Director, Programs

Contract Type Regular (3 year Opportunity)

Reporting To Managing Director, Programs

Program/Department/Unit Name Programs

Location Amman

Team NameStrengthening Governance in the Levant

Role Purpose

The Director of Programs will oversee work in the Levant region, focused on strengthening governance and equity in countries undergoing various forms of post-conflict transitions. Directors will be strong managers, as well as subject matter experts for this specific opportunity, able to build teams and work closely with the Program VPs, Managing Directors and their fellow Director colleagues in building a collaborative culture of both risk-taking and teamwork.

Key responsibilities

• Accountable for articulating a creative and exciting opening to make impact in the world into a workable project plan for implementation according to established criteria
• Evaluate an opportunity based on established metrics for MEL and ability to pivot to ensure the required outcomes are being achieved
• 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
• Oversee and manage the opportunity team, including external partners
• Engage with embedded staff from other OSF teams in close cooperation with senior leaders
• Articulate budgetary and workforce needs for opportunity leveraging internal and external resources, as required
• Monitor and regularly report on the progress of an opportunity to the Managing Director of Programs and other senior OSF leaders
• Leverage OSF’s work globally and employing the strategic capabilities of impact investment, strategic litigation, and advocacy to the opportunity
• Represent the given opportunity issue 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
• May be designated as a Geographic Lead representing OSF’s work in a critical geography (country or region) and leading a Geographic Policy Group, that defines OSF’s strategic approach to the priority geography and ensures a consistent and informed presence

People Responsibilities (Total Team/DRs)

Yes

Key relationships

Program Teams; Managing Directors; Grants Management; Advocacy; Communications; Strategic Litigation; Operations; external partner; Public and Private sector leaders.

The ideal candidate

• Prior experience in leading social change and system- change work in civil society, government, multilateral institutions, and/or the private sector that has resulted in positive societal impact
• Extensive expertise in the specific topic area as set out in the “Opportunity Description” above
• Prior financial ($20m+), legal and risk accountability at large-scale programmatic level
• Network across the social sector in national and local governments, multilateral organizations, faith-based groups, grass-roots organizations, philanthropy, local experts, academia, and think tanks
• Proven people management experience (of individual contributors and external partners)
• Prior experience leading programmatic or organizational level change within organizations and/or systems that have gone through significant transformation
• Experience in multiple sectors and knowledge of philanthropic tools such as advocacy and communication, strategic litigation, and social impact approaches

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.

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.

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.