SENIOR POLICY ANALYST

OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE WASHINGTON OFFICE
FEBRUARY 2004

The Open Society Institute (OSI), a private operating and grantmaking foundation based in New York City, implements a range of initiatives to promote open society by shaping government policy and supporting education, media, public health, and human and women’s rights, as well as social, legal, and economic reform. To foster open society on a global level, OSI aims to bring together a larger Open Society Network of other nongovernmental organizations, international institutions, and government agencies. OSI was created in 1993 by investor and philanthropist George Soros to support his foundations in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Those foundations were established, starting in 1984, to help former communist countries in their transition to democracy. OSI has expanded the activities of the Soros foundations network to other areas of the world where the transition to democracy is of particular concern. The network encompasses more than 50 countries with initiatives in Africa, Central Asia and the Caucasus, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, as well as in Haiti, Mongolia, and Turkey. OSI also supports programs in the United States and selected projects elsewhere in the world.

The OSI Washington, D.C. Office represents the international and domestic work of OSI and the Soros foundations network. The Senior Policy Analyst will report to the Director of the OSI Washington Office and the Director of the OSI Central Eurasia and Middle East Program.

Position: This is a joint position intended to be devoted 50 percent to facilitating the work of the OSI Middle East and Central Eurasia Programs and 50 to the other activities of the OSI Washington Office. The Senior Policy Analyst will help implement advocacy strategies relating to the work of the OSI Middle East and Central Eurasia Program and additional advocacy strategies designed to help facilitate the work of the OSI network of programs. The ideal candidate will have strong policy advocacy skills and experience and an excellent working knowledge of the issues that OSI funds and for which the Soros network advocates. Internationally, this includes knowledge of rule of law as it relates to human rights, election monitoring, treatment of minorities, women and public health, media, and education in countries where the Soros Foundations are active. In particular, the position is intended to work with and facilitate the Washington advocacy needs of the OSI network as assigned by the Director of the Washington Office. The successful candidate will also have substantial practical experience in advocacy, working with varied organizations and constituencies and implementing communication strategies. The candidate must have strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities: Assist in the Washington advocacy work of the OSI Middle East and Central Eurasia program and in the Washington advocacy work of the OSI network as assigned. Maintain close and effective collaboration with relevant OSI NY staff and other parts of the OSI network. The specific duties include:

• Research and write issues briefs related to OSI objectives.
• Analyze and review legislation initiatives, proposed legislation by executive agencies and bills passed by Congress that are part of the OSI agenda.
• Attend hearings and prepare related summaries.
• Make presentations to a wide variety of audiences, including national and international policymakers.
• Advocate initiatives related to OSI issues.
• Act as liaison with US government agencies, institutions, coalitions and others on OSI issues.
• Promote the OSI interests with individuals and organizations by monitoring relevant events and establishing strategic activities in response.

Requirements: Graduate level degree preferred in international affairs or relevant field; substantial practical experience in the field including 6-8 years or more relevant advocacy work experience in Washington; general knowledge of international affairs and international organizations; excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills; ability to function effectively within a collaborative environment.

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume, writing sample, salary requirements/history to: OSI-Washington Office, Attn: Administrator, 1120 19TH Street, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20036 or email osidcresume@osi-dc.org or fax 202-530-0128. EOE.