Associate, Program Management. Mexico City. Posting Date: 06/25/2026. Deadline: 07/08/2026
Role Title: Associate, Program Management, Higher Education
Reporting To: Director, Higher Education
Program/Department/Unit Name: Ideas Workshop
Location: Bogota, Mexico City (This is a hybrid position with the successful candidate expected to spend 50% of their time in the office)
Team Name: Higher Education
The higher education team works to fund universities and attendant programs that address open society challenges through research and teaching; to promote and defend academic freedom and reasoned debate; and to advance the inclusion of displaced and threatened students and scholars.
This Associate, Program Management, role contributes to and supports higher education related grants and projects in the Ideas Workshop. The Higher Education team supports OSF’s core higher education partners through grantmaking and expertise, fosters and sustains collaboration, and contributes to strengthening the quality and effectiveness of the institutions supported by OSF. The Associate, Program Management, will primarily be responsible for managing the grant making process, communicating with grantees on proposal development and submission, manage payments, reporting and other related processes.
Effectively manage the grant making processes related to the higher education team’s objectives. This responsibility includes day-to-day liaison with grantees about proposal development and submission, providing feedback and reviewing budgets, overseeing grant record preparation, ensuring timely processing of grants, payments and reports, and undertaking periodic reviews of progress with grantees, including site visits and attendance of program meetings.
Communicate with and build collaborative relationships with grantees and partners. Provide guidance on OSF processes and procedures. Provide expertise, both internally and externally, to support the development of grantee organizations and projects.
Assist in the construction, maintenance, and assessment of grant making, sharing responsibility for design with manager.
Provide support for internal and external initiatives and events with the Administration Officer, including support in conceptualizing events, identifying speakers, developing event agenda, and working with operations colleagues to manage event logistics.
Key internal relationships
Program Managers, Grant Management, Operations.
Key external relationships
Higher education partners, CEU and other grantees
Substantial relevant experience in non-governmental organizations, universities, think tanks, arts and culture organizations, philanthropy, development, consulting, and/or the public sector.
High emotional intelligence, humility and empathy; the ability to relate to people across cultures; and excellent inter-personal skills, with the diplomatic demeanor and political astuteness necessary to represent a global organization.
Demonstrates commitment to OSF’s core values of humility, commitment, collaboration, respect, inclusivity and integrity.
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.
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.
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.
