Project Officer, Process Optimization at Open Society Foundations – South Africa HYBRID
Recruiter: Open Society Foundations
About Open Society Foundations
Open Society Foundations is part of the United Nations system, working to promote international cooperation and address global challenges. As a UN entity, it contributes to the organization’s mission of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting international cooperation in solving international problems and encouraging respect for human rights.
Job Summary
This position offers an opportunity to contribute to administrative management within Open Society Foundations’s important work in international cooperation and sustainable development. Working in South Africa, you will collaborate with international colleagues and partners to address global challenges and promote sustainable development. This role provides an excellent opportunity for professional growth while making a meaningful contribution to international cooperation and global peace and security.
Full Job Description
Reporting To: Associate Director, Process Optimization
Department: Process Optimization, Office of the COO
Location: Mexico City, Bogota, Rio, Dakar, Johannesburg Team Name: Process Optimization
The Project Officer, Process Optimization provides operational, analytical, and documentation support to the Process Optimization team. The role supports project execution through Structured documentation, coordination across functional teams, tracking of actions, risks, timelines, basic data analysis, reporting and support for change adoption and workflow improvements
This role is critical in ensuring that process improvement efforts run smoothly, communications remain clear, and documentation stays accurate and accessible during organizational change and optimization initiatives
Project Coordination
Support the planning and coordination of process improvement and change projects.
Maintain project documentation, timelines, and action trackers.
Assist in scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and capturing minutes for project working groups.
Data & Analysis
Collect, compile, and analyze data relevant to process improvement efforts.
Support root cause analysis activities through data gathering and documentation.
Prepare basic reports, charts, and summaries for the Associate Director and Director.
Documentation & Standardization
Maintain process maps, SOPs, templates, and workflow documents.
Document asis and tobe workflows to support change and adoption.
Ensure documentation is structured, version-controlled, and accessible.
Manage SharePoint structure, file hygiene, and documentation versions
Communications Support
Support in drafting internal communications, slide decks, briefs, and changesupport materials.
Coordinate communication efforts for process improvement updates.
Training and Engagement Support
Assist with logistics for workshops, training sessions, and capability-building initiatives.
Support creation of training documents, guides, and reference packs.
General Operational Support
Track risks, issues, dependencies, and cross-team actions.
Coordinate activities and ensure alignment between teams and consistent updates to project leadership.
Key Internal Relationships
Associate Director and Director, Process Optimization; functional teams across the Organization; project teams; administrative support teams
Travel is required. Travel frequency depends on the role requirements .
The ideal candidate (essential criteria)
24 years in project coordination, operations, PMO support, or process coordination.
Demonstrated documentation discipline: trackers, logs, SOPs, workflow docs
Data proficiency in (tables, charts, simple dashboards). PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint
Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder workflows with followthrough.
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.
Description of the organization
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 founders 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.
Key Details
- Job Title: Project Officer, Process Optimization
- Grade: N/A
- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa (Hybrid)
- Department: Open Society Foundations
- Contract Type: Professional Staff
- Estimated Salary Range:$70,000 – $120,000 USD annually
Qualifications
- Not specified in the official posting
Skills
- Not specified in the official posting
Benefits
- and perks to promote well-being and a healthy work-life balance, including:
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official UN careers portal. Female candidates and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.