Program Manager - Surge and Sustain

Open Technology Fund • Washington, DC

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Manager's central work is to utilize their expertise to develop and implement funding strategies to support OTF’s work, inform OTF’s funding decisions, and manage a portfolio of supported projects. OTF’s Program Managers help shape and drive the Fund’s efforts to support the development and implementation of internet freedom tools. Through their daily work, Program Managers must demonstrate a deep understanding of the global Internet freedom ecosystem, specifically related to the research, development and implementation of internet freedom technologies.
The Program Manager will work to support a robust field of individuals and organizations protecting the free flow of information, free speech, free expression, a free press, and other human rights in repressive societies around the globe. OTF believes it is critical to center the needs of the most vulnerable communities and that accessibility to critical tools is a huge part of that.
Note that this position has a specific focus on supporting OTF’s work related to development and deployment of censorship circumvention technologies, including but not limited to OTF’s unique Surge and Sustain Fund mechanism.
The Surge and Sustain Fund mechanism is the primary vehicle through which OTF supports the user carrying costs of VPNs and other circumvention solutions in highly restricted authoritarian internet regimes. The Program Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day functioning and success of the fund by managing and refining application processes, managing associated contracts, monitoring and verifying metrics collection, reporting to USG and other stakeholders about the performance of the fund and the associated tools and scouting new tools that could be a part of the fund.

Requirements

• Commitment to OTF’s mission and core values of equity, fairness and diversity.
• Passion for social change with knowledge of philanthropy, and interest in the field of human rights and Internet freedom, including nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurship, racial and gender equity, civic engagement, etc.
• Personal qualities of humility, capacity for self-reflection, and a sense of humor.
• Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues.
• Action-orientated and entrepreneurial self-starter who can work well independently and in teams.
• A level of education that, when combined with your professional experience, will adequately show you have the capability to contribute meaningfully to OTF.
• Experience conducting or supporting the research, development, and/or implementation of Internet freedom technologies, specifically censorship circumvention technologies.
• Strong technical understanding of relevant censorship circumvention technologies, their efficiency and impact.Ability to explain complex technical subjects clearly and respectfully to audiences in non-technical fields.
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple projects effectively and adjust to changing priorities.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical skills and creativity in approaching challenges and finding solutions.
• A drive for quality and excellence in your work.
• Detail-oriented and organized, experience with project management.
• Exceptional professionalism, follow-through and people skills.
• Excellent ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others in multicultural teams, across organizational boundaries and multiple time zones, and with team members at all levels.
• Confidence and enthusiasm when communicating to both external partners and the internal project team in both formal and informal presentations.
• A flexible, responsive, and enthusiastic approach to work, including the humility and grace to work effectively with others in a collaborative, fast-paced team, a “can do” attitude.
• Documented experience of managing large contracts for technical projects.
• Experience of work related to censorship circumvention technologies.
• Must be able to perform job functions independently and work effectively either on own or as part of a team;
• Must be capable of dealing calmly and professionally with numerous different personalities from diverse cultures at various levels within and outside of the organization.
• Must be able to perform responsibilities with composure under the stress of deadlines / requirements for extreme accuracy and quality and/or fast pace.
• Must be capable of exercising the highest level of discretion on both internal and external confidential matters.
• Must be capable of regular, reliable and timely attendance.

Nice To Haves

• Documented experience of work related to USG and other high-level stakeholders is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support OTF’s application review and funding process by reviewing applications, participating in regular OTF application review calls, and conducting application due diligence.
• Specifically support the oversight design and evolution and full life-cycle management of the Surge and Sustain Fund application mechanism.
• Lead application review rounds, including delegating and facilitating coordination among team members to ensure the successful completion of all tasks necessary to reach a final determination for all applications.
• Work collaboratively with other team members to develop, define, and implement improved review workflows.
• Independently manage, monitor and coordinate a portfolio of OTF supported projects, internal initiatives, and fund or fellowship programs.
• Support and work with new projects to issue contracts, ensure adequate onboarding, refine goals and activities as needed, amend budgets and contracts as needed, perform end-of-project tasks, and respond to any questions.
• Conduct and oversee project assessments and compliance by undertaking periodic progress reviews, reviewing and approving payment requests against progress reports, and ensuring adherence to contract terms.
• Archive and communicate the details of a project portfolio through written materials such as project status reports, presentations, and agendas for clear understanding and facilitation by OTF team and the public.
• Actively shape the planning, development, and implementation of OTF’s internal efforts, proposing new funds or fellowships as the need presents.
• Work collaboratively with team members to improve project management workflows and monitoring and evaluation methodologies.
• Promote engagement between supported projects and our engaged communities to review opportunities, challenges and advances and encourage collaboration, learning, exchange and strategic partnerships.
• Independently manage, monitor and coordinate the portfolio of tools supported by the Surge and Sustain Fund.
• Support and work with supported tools to issue contracts, ensure adequate onboarding, refine metrics and reporting, amend budgets and contracts as needed, and respond to any questions.
• Conduct and oversee project assessments and compliance by undertaking periodic progress reviews, reviewing and approving payment requests against reported metrics, and ensuring adherence to contract terms.
• Archive and communicate the details of the Fund portfolio through written materials such as project status reports and presentations.
• Promote engagement between supported tools and the internet freedom community to explore opportunities, challenges and advances, and encourage collaboration, learning and strategic partnerships.
• Represent OTF at events and meetings relevant to OTF’s mission.
• Conduct outreach to gather insight on community needs and how OTF can help.
• Follow key developments and debates related to Internet freedom; identify new opportunities and challenges; keep abreast of the academic and popular literature relevant to OTF’s mission; and share key findings and lessons among colleagues and the field.
• In coordination with other members of the Program Team, work to develop specialized expertise and knowledge related to OTF’s work.
• Lead and/or assist in the planning and implementation of OTF sponsored events.
• Identify and promote opportunities for team members and projects to be involved in the larger community.
• Identify and recruit potential Internet freedom projects that should apply to OTF,
• Continually learn new skills and share knowledge to help improve team practices; and
• Fulfill other duties as discussed and assigned by the OTF leadership staff.

Benefits

• It is the policy of OTF that qualified individuals with disabilities not be discriminated against because of their disabilities in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. Furthermore, the policy of OTF is to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed