Program Manager

What does the job entail?

At the Democracy Foundation, we are committed to a vibrant democratic constitutional state and a well-functioning, diverse media landscape. We do this, among other things, by investing time and money in initiatives that contribute to these goals. For example, we support: Bureau Burgerberaad, Vote for a Woman, the Public Interest Litigation Project, Bits of Freedom, The Black Archives, and Theater na de Dam.

To strengthen our team in the heart of Amsterdam, we are looking for a program manager (36 hours) with an eye for the challenges facing the democratic rule of law in the Netherlands. Your primary responsibilities will include proactively identifying and assessing potential new initiatives and organizations to support financially (through grants), maintaining relationships with existing grantees(individuals or organizations we fund), and monitoring and evaluating both ongoing and completed initiatives.

As our new program manager, you will be part of the “Democracy and Media Fund” program and will focus on the priority areas of “effective democracy” and “resilient rule of law.” You will work closely with your colleague on the priority area of “future-proof journalism.” Together, you will pay special attention to the overlap between your programs. In addition, you will collaborate extensively with the program manager for organizational and field strengthening, who is responsible for all forms of non-financial support that SDM provides to grantees. Your direct supervisor will be the program director (to be announced shortly).

What will you be doing?

• Developing the content and strategy for the Rule of Law program, in consultation with the program director;
  
• The selection and processing of applications: identifying innovative initiatives and organizations, carefully considering invitations to submit applications, providing feedback to applicants, and evaluating applications together with your colleagues;
  
• Monitoring and evaluating current and completed projects;
• In consultation with the program manager for organizational and field capacity building, design the non-financial support provided tograntees, such as workshops or coaching;
• Contribute to the expansion of the SDM network (including by attending events, sometimes in the evenings or on weekends).
  

Who are we looking for?

What unites us is SDM’s mission and vision; we expect our colleagues to embrace our values: courage, commitment, and independence. An affinity with SDM’s mission and the organizations and initiatives we support is an important prerequisite for enjoying your work here.

You are:

• passionate and principled;
  
• well-informed about relevant social developments;
  
• curious, independent, and proactive;
  
• meticulous and keeps track of things;
  
• solution-oriented;
  
• able to think from the perspective of our partners and their needs;
  
• able to analyze quickly;
  
• accessible and based on trust;
  
• a team player.
  

You have:

• demonstrable affinity with the content of the democratic rule of law program;
  
• experience with project management and budget management;
  
• knowledge of and interest in the public debate in this area, as well as an understanding of the relevant stakeholders;
  
• our own perspective on the challenges our democratic constitutional state faces in practice and possible solutions to them;
  
• has a relevant network or is capable and eager to build one;

In addition, there are a number of qualifications that align with the profile of this role. While meeting the following requirements is not mandatory, it is certainly an advantage:

• five or more years of work experience in organizations that focus on this area;
  
• experiencewith grant management;applying for or managinggrants or subsidies, or processing applications for them;
  
• presentations or publications on a topic within the broad field of democracy and the rule of law.
  

What do we offer?

• A 36-hour-per-week position (0.9 FTE) with a one-year employment contract and the intention to renew it upon satisfactory performance;
  
• Competitive, gross full-time monthly salary between €3,900 and €5,200, depending on work experience;
  
• 8% vacation pay, a travel allowance, and excellent training and development opportunities.
  

SDM is a relatively small organization, but our independence and dedication enable us to achieve a great deal. You’ll work in an informal and decisive work environment. This means short lines of communication, direct feedback, and a hands-on approach. Thanks to our strong (international) network, our program managers are in contact with many different people and organizations that are deeply committed to democracy, the rule of law, and the role of the media within that framework.

We believe in the power of diversity and strive 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. If you’re unsure whether your background matches the job opening, we invite you to reach out to us (or just apply!).

For more information about the organization, its programs, and its staff, visit www.sdm.nl.

Interested in applying?

Are you excited about this job opening and do you think you’re the right fit for us? If so, we warmly invite you to apply.

• You can apply for this position through Sunday, February 25, 2024, by sending your resume and cover letter to vacatures@sdm.nl.
  
• If you have any questions about the position or are unsure whether your background matches the requirements, please feel free to contact us atinfo@sdm.nl.
  
• The first round of interviews will take place on March 11 and 12, and the second round on March 19.
  

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.