Associate Director, Strategic Engagement and Support

Open Society Foundations

. Provide the COO with research, analysis, and synthesis on operational, institutional, sectoral, and external developments .

Posted 9/18/2026full-timeJohannesburg • South AfricaSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in strategic advisory and operational analysis, with a strong ability to produce executive materials and develop compelling narratives for leadership engagement. Proven track record in collaborating across functions and managing high-profile stakeholder interactions in mission-driven sectors.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Strategic Advisory ExperienceExecutive Material ProductionStakeholder EngagementNarrative DevelopmentCross-Functional Collaboration

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Research and AnalysisBriefing PreparationPresentation DevelopmentStakeholder CorrespondenceThought Leadership Content CreationOperational AnalysisDigital Content SupportStrategic Narrative DevelopmentEngagement PlanningComplex Topic Research

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingDiscretion and IntegrityInfluencing SkillsCommunication SkillsFlexibility

Industry Keywords

Nonprofit SectorPhilanthropyInternational DevelopmentCivil SocietyMultilateral OrganizationsMission-Driven Sector

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide the COO with research, analysis, and synthesis on operational, institutional, sectoral, and external developments
Identify emerging themes, stakeholder considerations, opportunities, and sensitivities affecting executive engagements and Operations priorities
Develop options, recommendations, and lines of inquiry for executive decision-making
Maintain an informed view of Operations functions and connect developments to portfolio-wide priorities
Plan and support high-priority internal and external engagements involving the COO
Prepare executive briefing packs, background notes, stakeholder profiles, talking points, speeches, presentations, questions, and anticipated issues
Collaborate with functional leaders and subject-matter experts to ensure accurate, balanced, decision-useful briefings
Capture commitments, insights, and follow-up actions from strategic engagements and route them to appropriate owners
Develop and steward a coherent portfolio-level narrative for Operations
Translate complex operational issues into accessible narratives for leadership, staff, Board members, partners, and external audiences
Develop core messages, narrative frameworks, presentation materials, and reusable content
Support Operations leadership engagements by shaping agendas, framing issues, and preparing discussion materials
Develop thought leadership content with the COO and colleagues
Curate evidence, examples, and stories demonstrating Operations’ contribution to organizational effectiveness and mission delivery
Support the COO’s and Operations portfolio’s digital profile across appropriate channels
Maintain a forward-looking content and engagement plan
Build trusted working relationships across Operations
Work with Communications on messaging, channels, brand, media, and publication processes
Collaborate with the Director, Integration and Institutional Effectiveness on relevant engagement and narrative work
Coordinate stakeholder inputs and ensure final products are accurate, concise, sensitive, and high quality
Handle confidential and politically sensitive information with discretion and integrity
Recommend narrative approaches, engagement priorities, and positioning options to the COO
Influence across functions through trusted relationships, credibility, and quality of advice
Lead defined strategic engagement or narrative projects and coordinate temporary working groups
Oversee the COO’s schedule and logistics through line management of the Executive Assistant

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree-level education or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
Substantial experience providing strategic advisory, research, briefing, engagement, or thought leadership support to senior executives or leadership teams in a complex, globally distributed organization
Proven experience working across programmatic and operational functions in the nonprofit, philanthropy, international development, civil society, multilateral, or another mission-driven sector
Demonstrated experience producing executive materials, including briefings, talking points, speeches, presentations, analytical papers, and stakeholder correspondence
Experience working effectively across functions, geographies, and professional disciplines
Experience gathering and reconciling diverse inputs while preserving accountable ownership
Proven ability to research unfamiliar or complex topics quickly and convert analysis into concise, practical executive advice
Experience planning and supporting high-profile or strategically important engagements with senior internal and external stakeholders
Experience developing strategic narratives or thought leadership and supporting digital content or executive profile-building in partnership with Communications
Excellent written and spoken English
Proficiency in other languages is an asset
Periodic international travel and flexibility across time zones may be required

Benefits

Comp & perks

Generous annual professional development allowance for every employee
Onsite training and learning conversations with visiting experts
Generous time off
Flexible work arrangements
Employer-paid health insurance and dental plans for individuals and families, with no employee contribution required
Non-contributory retirement savings plan for employees
Life insurance
Progressive paid parental leave
Reproductive and family planning support
Diverse and inclusive workplace
Reasonable accommodations for applicants and colleagues with disabilities