Program Officer - Abbara Program

About Culture Resource Founded in 2004, Culture Resource (Al Mawred Al Thaqafy) is a regional, non-profit organization that seeks to support artistic creativity in the Arab region and to encourage cultural exchange between intellectuals and artists within this region and abroad. The work of Culture Resource emanates from a deep appreciation of the renewable value of Arab cultural heritage, in all its ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity, and from a faith in the importance of generating a new Arab spirit of creativity as a key to liberating the imagination and stimulating progress. Culture Resource also believes that artistic and literary activities are a social necessity which demands the moral and material support on the part of all effective forces in society. About Abbara Program Culture Resource seeks to employ a program officer for its Abbara Program. The program empowers independent cultural institutions in playing a central and sustainable role in fostering values of freedom, respect for artistic creativity and critical thinking, and the acceptance of diversity. Additionally, the program supports these independent cultural organizations in performing their basic role as providers of cultural and artistic services to the different sectors of society. To achieve its mission, the Abbara program provides targeted support to the institutionalization process of its beneficiaries. A strengthened administrative and organizational structure of program beneficiaries is the key outcome of the program. The following four types of support are provided: Core funding (salaries of the key staff, rent, running costs, legal counselling, website development, etc.), tailor-suited technical assistance through its pool of experts, specific capacity-building in the area of cultural management, and networking opportunities. The program was launched in 2011 in response to the socio-political developments in a number of Arab countries. Today, the program is in its fifth round and is open to applicants from the entire Arab region. In its previous four rounds, the program has benefited and created a network of around 50 independent cultural organisations from five Arab countries (Yemen, Syria, Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia). The Program is implemented by Culture Resource (Al Mawred Al Thaqafy) with the financial support of The Doen Foundation (Netherlands), Mimeta (Norway), Ford Foundation, and the Open Society Foundation.  Job Description Applicants interested in the position of Abbara program officer should meet the requirements and be able to fully assume the responsibilities listed below. Responsibilities Take full charge of implementing the consequent rounds of the Abbara program, i.e., announcing new rounds, follow through with all selection process requirements in a transparent way and in line with Culture Resource guidelines, implement and follow up on grantee contracts until contract closure including follow up on interim and final narrative and financial reports Maintain a  continuous communication flow with program beneficiaries on grant implementation during contract implementation, and uphold a strong communication with previous grantees after contracts are closed Conduct field visits as needed to monitor grant implementation Map technical assistance needs of grantees and organize required technical assistance training and sessions with experts Ensure timely submission of interim and final narrative and financial reports, and do transfer of grant amounts as per Culture Resource financial guidelines and grant contract provisions Conceptualize networking activities that strengthen the interaction between the different grantees Implement two additional, newly integrated components of the Abbara Program Draft reports for donors and the Board of Directors of Culture Resource Collect data that serves strategic analyses and feed into the communication strategy of Culture Resource Provide the communication unit of Culture Resource with information needed to disseminate and strengthen the visibility of the program at a regional level Generally work toward and monitor that all Abbara program components are implemented in line with the Program’s strategic framework (road map) for the years 2016-2018 Timely conceptualize and draft terms of reference for the overall program evaluation by an external expert Stay abreast of socio-political developments in the region Perform other tasks if needed Experience and skills A minimum of four years of experience in a similar position Fluency in Arabic (verbal and written) is a must, English is required, French is an additional asset A basic understanding of the organizational structure of civil society organizations and their functioning, and knowledge of the cultural sector and the challenges facing independent cultural initiatives/ organization A strong interest and understanding of the overall socio-political context of the Arab region Excellent time management and organizational skills Strong ability to develop monitoring tools that help ensure the smooth, timely implementation of the program Confidence in communication with a variety of stakeholders  Flexibility in adapting to unexpected circumstances at the end of beneficiaries, and capability to find solutions for challenges and bottle necks Seriousness about meeting deadlines Willingness to travel Readiness to work over-time when needed Other personal skills Enjoys working in a team Curiosity about the different cultural initiatives and their work in the Arab region Integrity, and respect for cultural diversity