Background

The OGP is a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. To become part of OGP, participating governments must sign a high-level Open Government Declaration, deliver an action plan developed with public participation, and commit to independent reporting on their progress through the OGP Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM).

The Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) is a key means by which all stakeholders can track progress within OGP participating governments. By tracking and publicizing progress, it promotes strong accountability and dialogue between member governments and citizens.

The IRM works primarily by producing annual reports for each OGP participating government. Each report assesses the ambition and implementation of action plans, progress in fulfilling open government principles, and provides recommendations to improve future action plans.

Position Summary

The IRM is seeking highly organized individual with strong writing skills to collaborate with the IRM team and carry out editing, quality control, publication and dissemination of IRM reports from OGP participating governments.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Report production: oversee quality control and publication processes for independent reports in OGP members. Senior Research Officer will work with specific assigned regions to take a leading role engaging with OGP stakeholders, IRM researchers and OGP Support Unit Staff to provide IRM support for the assigned region or subset of OGP members.
• Researcher recruitment and maintenance: oversee the recruitment process in the assigned region, lead interviews with shortlisted candidates and provide guidance during compensation negotiations and IRM researcher vetting process.
• Training: lead and facilitate IRM researcher training. Conduct IRM trainings for relevant OGP stakeholders.
• Conflict resolution: provide first level response to conflicts that may arise with an IRM researcher, between an IRM researcher and other OGP stakeholders.
• Governance and policy: provide strategic input to IRM senior management on IRM method, policies, program work plan, budget and overall decision making. The Senior Research Officer participates regularly in IEP/IRM meetings.
• Communications: coordinate dissemination efforts at the regional level to support the IRM Deputy Director implement the IRM’s communication strategy. Liaise with OGP communications team to coordinate support to IRM researchers during IRM report launches or dissemination activities. Represent the IRM in public OGP events as required.
• Monitoring, data and analysis: Conduct qualitative and quantitative research using IRM findings to inform improvements in IRM Program and cross-country performance in OGP. Primarily focused on regional or sub regional trends.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and respect for deadlines;
• Excellent writing skills, including formal editing;
• Excellent public speaking and communication skills;
• Proficiency in other languages highly desirable.
• Project management experience and skills;
• Demonstrated ability to quickly research and learn new topics.
• Self-starter who can work independently but likes working as part of a global (virtual) team, proactive in sharing information with team members to update on both progress and setbacks;
• Demonstrated interest in issues of good-governance, international development, democracy, international relations, or public administration.
• Active listener with a positive attitude.
• Problem-solving skills, sound judgement and ability to adapt easily to change.
• Ability to work flexibly and independently on tight timelines.

Education and Experience

• 5 + years of professional experience
• College degree in relevant field (e.g. development, political science, public administration, or international relations etc.), Master’s degree preferred.
• Previous experience engaging with multiple stakeholders in an international setting and with a regional focus, highly desirable.

Application Details

Salary commensurate with education and experience. OGP compensates competitively with other comparable organizations in the Washington DC region.

• The selected individual must be employable in Germany, Belgium, or the United Kingdom. The position will be based in Berlin, Brussels, or London.
• Interested candidates should submit an CV and cover letter here.
• The deadline to apply is Monday, January 6, 2020.
• Because of the volume of applications, we will not be able to respond to every applicant.

We thank applicants in advance for their expressions of interest.

The Open Government Partnership, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions (ARC). Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

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