Program Coordinator at Open Data Watch

OPEN DATA WATCH IS SEEKING A

Program Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION

Open Data Watch (ODW) is a nonprofit organization promoting open data and availability of high quality development statistics in countries and international agencies. ODW monitors and reports on the degree to which countries and agencies have succeeded in implementing open data policies and disseminating development data. It provides knowledge resources to assist decision makers in implementing open data policies and programs in countries or agencies. These include advocacy materials, best practice examples, and advice on needs assessment and support for accessing financial and technical resources. ODW also provides guidance to strengthen countries or agencies’ data management and dissemination practices and supports or coordinates partnerships leading to improvements in statistical capacity.

ODW is seeking a dynamic and self-motivated Program Coordinator to work closely with our management, staff, partners, and clients. ODW provides an opportunity to be involved in the rapidly growing area of open data and international statistics.  ODW’s work focuses on the front line of the data revolution in development statistics. For example, ODW’s recently launched Open Data Inventory (ODIN) assesses coverage and openness of official statistics to identify gaps, promote open data policies, improve access, and encourage dialogue between national statistical offices and data users. ODW staff have contributed to UN and Civil Society partners work on data revolution, analyses of the cost of monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals, and research and partnership to fill gaps in gender statistics. And ODW is a core member of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data.

JOB SUMMARY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Coordinator is responsible for working closely with ODW Management, staff, partners, and major stakeholders on the supervision, implementation, and successful dissemination of key ODW projects which are often global in nature.

Specific duties will include:

• Manage staff and consultants and their work programs;
• Coordinate multiple projects, ensuring high quality and timely delivery;
• Regularly work with data content experts, from within team or partners, to ensure ODW’s information base is current and relevant to the needs of its users;
• Work closely with ODW’s systems team to ensure effective data management, analysis, and delivery of products;
• Work with stakeholders to gather project requirements;
• Oversee project conception, development, execution, and implementation;
• Assist with recruiting junior staff to perform short-term tasks;
• Prepare complex analytical reports, blogs, and presentations;
• Provide support and documentation for optimizing data management;
• Assist with preparation of funding and project proposals and undertake follow-ups;
• Support R&D, innovation, and client engagement activities as well as represent ODW in partnership meetings and international conferences.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in economics, statistics or equivalent;
• 5 or more years’ work experience, preferably in a globally-focused organization with an interest and expertise in development data;
• Experience coordinating international development and transparency initiatives;
• Experience working with international organizations like the UN and World Bank on statistical development projects;
• Experience in effectively managing 3 or more staff;
• Familiarity with statistics/data collection, analysis and methodology;
• Project management experience in grant-funded environments;
• Excellent people skills, able to handle and resolve issues independently, with tact and diplomacy;
• Service-oriented, proven ability to manage donor/client relations;
• Must have excellent English communications skills (reading, writing, speaking);
• Ability to speak, read and write Spanish, French, or Arabic fluently is  a plus;
• Ability to travel frequently;

The Program Coordinator will report directly to ODW Management.  This is a 6-month consulting appointment, which is renewable for longer periods, based on performance and available funding. International candidates must already have permission to work in the United States. Applications should be submitted by 29 April 2016. For any questions, please contact: RezaFarivari@opendatawatch.com.