Job Description

Program Manager. Seoul. Posting Date: 07/02/2026. Deadline: 07/31/2026

Role Title: Program Manager

Contract Type: Fixed Term: 3 years

Workstyle Arrangement Hybrid or remote (location dependaent)

Reporting To: Associate Director of Programs, Central Asia

Department: Programs, Central Asia

Location: Colombo or Seoul

Role Purpose

Support the Associate Director of Programs Central Asia in the development and implementation of the visions for Open Society’s work in Central Asia (including Mongolia). Deliver on day-to-day liaison with grantees and cultivate new partnerships to ensure the opportunity or objectives defined for the region are designed, launched, implemented, and exited according to the outcomes defined.

The Program Manager will play a critical role with implementing the objectives of the Program, which underscores the primacy of local knowledge and legitimacy to ensure that the organization’s interventions are cognizant of the differing contexts and political spaces in which OSF works.

In addition, act as the point of contact for internal and external stakeholders to advance strategic advocacy objectives. In doing so, the incumbent may leverage a variety of OSF’s organizational capabilities, including impact investing, strategic litigation, grant-making and advocacy.

Key responsibilities

Reporting to the Associate Director of Programs Central Asia, the Program Manager’s key responsibilities are as follows:

• Support the Associate Director of Programs Central Asia to ensure that OSF priorities are rooted and grounded in local knowledge, contexts, experiences and expertise, taking due cognisance of the differing contexts and political spaces in which we work.
• Effectively manage the grant-making process by communicating with grantees for proposal submission, assisting in and manage grant record preparation, grants processing, payments, reporting, and other related processes
• Build a strong understanding of the field and partnerships, in developing and designing the grant selection processes
• Assist in the construction, maintenance, and assessment of grant making portfolio(s)
• Work collaboratively in developing, assessing, and revising program strategies
• Work with leadership to maintain grant-making practice aligned with OSF's approach to grant-making and in compliance with organizational and external standards and regulations
• Process and oversee progress of consultant contracts
• Monitor progress implementation, project risks, and other relevant status updates and communicate to Associate Director of Programs Central Asia regularly
• Manage relationships with partners, to achieve OSF’s strategic objective through the Program
• Develop a comprehensive partnerships, policy and methodology for sustainable engagement with relevant social movements, civil society groups, think tanks, and policymakers in consultation with the Associate Director of Programs Central Asia
• Commission studies, convene dialogues, and design overall approach to the work in the region
• Support the Associate Director of Programs Central Asia to ensure coherence of Open Society policies and approaches in Central Asia across opportunities, network grants, and rapid response

Key internal relationships

Associate Directors, Programs; Managing Director Programs; Network Grants; Special Advisors; Grants Management; Operations teams including People and Culture; Advocacy Advisers; Program Managers.

Key external relationships

External Partners.

The ideal candidate

Essential Qualifications:

• Educated to a degree-level (or equivalent)

Desirable Qualifications:

• Post-graduate education relevant to the types of programs that Open Society Foundations will invest in

Essential Experience:

• Multiple years’ experience (in one or multiple organizations) where proficiency in the specific field or subject area has been comprehensively developed
• Extensive expertise in the specific topic area as set out in the role above
• Prior working experience of operating within the non-profit community (for example multi-lateral, NGO, foundation, policymakers or ambassadorial working environments)
• Relevant expertise in topic area (thematic and/or region) in Central Asia

Functional Competencies:

• 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
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Able to represent the organization and opportunity in regional global fora and panel discussions and write concise and analytical briefing papers and other documents, as needed.
• Skilled in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
• Able to analyze, generate, capture, synthesize and organize information and knowledge to deliver prescribed outcomes
• Ability to conduct research to drive decision making by management
• Experience in budgeting, strategic analysis and planning
• Working well with a variety of public, private and NGO stakeholders, including peer donors.
• Building and maintaining networks of relevant 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

Personal Competencies:

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

Languages:

• An excellent knowledge of English
• An excellent knowledge in one of the local languages in Central Asia (including Mongolia).
• Travel is required. Travel frequency depends on the role requirement.

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.
• Staff are required to work in an Open Society office 50% of working days per month.
• 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.

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.