Program Director

Position within the organization
The program director leads a small, dedicated team of program managers and staff members. Together with them, you proactively invest in organizations and initiatives that are relevant to SDM’s mission. You also serve as a sounding board and (strategic) advisor to organizations with which an investment relationship has already been established, and you oversee the coaching and training offerings. In addition, you will support the Director in achieving SDM’s strategic objectives and assist with the implementation of the updated organizational model. Finally, you will represent SDM at relevant meetings and help strengthen relationships with key stakeholders.

What does the job entail?

• Developing and managing innovative, appropriate, and impactful programs and investments (total value approx. €2 million) that contribute to preserving and strengthening the liberal democratic rule of law.
• Leading the program team, coaching and supporting team members, and organizing team meetings.
• Act as an advisor and sounding board for organizations with which an investment relationship has been established, including by overseeing the coaching and training programs offered.
• Drafting recommendations for the director regarding the development of (new) programs and investments.
• Report on the progress of programs and investments, and ensure that the relevant substantive and financial reports are prepared.
• Advising the director on strategic and financial multi-year plans and organizational development.
• Preparing reports and memos for the board of supervisors.
• Maintaining relationships with key stakeholders.
• Representing SDM at external meetings.

What do we expect from you?

• A constructive, mission-driven, and flexible person who is good at organizing and maintaining things.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field (or equivalent work experience).
• At least ten years of work experience in a relevant field (e.g., NGO, government, media)
• Experience as a program manager at the strategic level (preferably with leadership experience).
• Experience in designing efficient and meticulous processes.
• A demonstrable commitment to the organization’s mission.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to serve as the organization’s spokesperson at external meetings.

What do we offer?

• A dynamic role in a casual and decisive work environment, within a small organization of 5–10 employees.
• A one-year employment contract, with the intention of extending it if performance is satisfactory.
• A salary between €5,500 and €7,000 per month, 8% vacation pay, and a separate pension budget (to be used at your discretion), travel allowance,
• A growth-oriented role with excellent training and development opportunities.

The Democracy and Media Foundation believes in the power of diversity and strives to build a diverse team. In doing so, we pay particular attention to factors such as gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomic and ethnic background. We specifically encourage people from groups that are underrepresented in media and human rights organizations to apply.

For more information about the organization, its programs, and its staff, visit www.stdem.org

Recruitment Process The Democracy and Media Foundation is being assisted in this recruitment process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about the position, please contact Roeli Pot, a partner at Colourful People. She can be reached by phone at 06-28909312 or via r.pot@colourfulpeople.nl

We are also hosting an online session whereyou can ask questions (for up to 10 minutes) about the organization, the job opening, and the hiring process. The online session will take place on May 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you’d like to participate, please send an email to r.pot@colourfulpeople.nl by May 18. You’ll then receive a personal link to join the online session.

Instead of a cover letter, we ask that you reflect on a few substantive questions. This will help us get a clear picture of the different candidates that allows for easy comparison. You can download the questions here.

Please submit the document containing your answers to the questions and your resume by May 25, 2022, at the latest. You can upload the document (via "Cover Letter") and your resume (via "Resume") using the "Apply" button on the job listing page, or you may also send both to r.pot@colourfulpeople.nl.

Job interviews will take place in weeks 24 and 25.