OSEPI - Open Society European Policy Institute

Brussels, Belgium

At the Open Society European Policy Institute (OSEPI), we influence and inform European Union policies to ensure that open society values are at the heart of EU action, both inside and outside its borders. With a team of talented and dedicated policy analysts, and advocacy and program staff based in Brussels, we bring evidence, arguments, and recommendations drawn from the work of the Open Society Foundations in more than 100 countries to EU policy debates.

To help us with this work we are looking for an outreach and events coordinator to manage our wide variety of public and private events, and extend our reach in policy circles.

The position will be based in Brussels.

Open Society Foundations

The Open Society Foundations work to build vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to criticism, whose laws and policies are open to debate and correction, and whose political institutions are open to the participation of all people. We seek to strengthen justice and the rule of law; broaden respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities; encourage pluralism and a robust diversity of opinion; deepen democratic practice and participation; expand economic equity; support effective governance; and invest in individuals, public and private organizations, and social movements that advance these goals.

We are a global network of foundations committed to local knowledge and national expertise. Our network includes national foundations, regional foundations, and other geographic programs operating in more than one hundred countries. At the same time, many programs with global reach operate from our four headquarters in Europe and the United States, including programs on digital information, documentary photography, drug policy, early childhood, education, fellowships, fiscal governance, higher education, human rights, international migration, justice, public health, scholarships, think tanks, and women’s rights. In addition to making grants to organizations and individuals, the Open Society Foundations engage in policy advocacy, legal advocacy and litigation, program-related investing, and public communications, as well as providing direct assistance to governments. Most programs and foundations in the network are governed or advised by their own boards.

The Open Society Foundations are the global philanthropies of George Soros, who, as chairman, plays an active role in the work of the foundations. 

Job Profile

Responsibilities will include the following:

Outreach

• Monitor OSEPI’s profile in Brussels and beyond;
• Devise and implement plans for targeted communications to policy makers;
• Liaise with Office of Communications on website content;
• Update and improve OSEPI’s database, both its contents and use;
• Audit the contacts of team members and create a map of existing networks in Brussels and national capitals;
• Build mailing lists of policy contacts, and update regularly with new actors and changes of position;
• Map new constituencies for OSEPI outreach and help team members to increase their reach in policy circles (working closely with OSEPI’s deputy director);
• Manage and develop OSEPI’s social media profile in collaboration with the OSEPI team and the European communications associate;
• Organize internal online communications with other Open Society entities, including updates to KARL (intranet) and distribution of updates and briefings to mailing lists of senior management and board members;
• Ensure consistent format of publications and organize the printing and dissemination of publications when required.

Events

• Organize the logistics of public events and private meetings of OSEPI, and joint events with other Open Society entities or partners;
• Set standards and establish protocols for organization of events, such as checklists, room layouts, standard procedures;
• Negotiate contracts with venues, widen our portfolio of venues, and create a database of venue options;
• Maintain quality control of communications about events.

Qualifications

We are looking for an exceptionally well-organized person who has fantastic attention to detail, and is also gregarious and able to get on with a wide range of colleagues. The outreach and events coordinator will have excellent spoken and written English, as well as fluent French. Other languages, especially Flemish, would be a bonus. We expect the successful candidate will have a minimum of two years’ experience in events management, communications, or public/government relations.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting with a low level of noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation

Commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package.

Application Instructions

If you think you are the one, please send a letter of motivation, CV and a sample of your previous work by January 18, 2015, to Pearly Raynal at osepi@opensocietyfoundations.org. Include “Application for Outreach and Events Coordinator position” in the subject line.