[UPDATE 23 July 2012: Application link corrected below.]
JOB DESCRIPTION: OPENGOV HUB COMMUNITY MANAGER
Organizational Description
Global Integrity (https://globalintegrity.org) is an innovation lab that produces high-quality research and creates cutting-edge technology to advance the work of a global network of civic, public, and private reformers pursuing increased transparency and accountability in governments. In addition to our core team, we collaborate with a global network of more than 1,300 in-country contributors and partners who take our technologies, tools, and information to where they are most useful – the local level.
The organization has won an Ashoka "Changemakers" award an “Every Human Has Rights” award from The Elders and Internews; its methodology for assessing the existence and effectiveness of anti-corruption mechanisms is described by the World Bank as "best practice."
The OpenGov Hub (http://opengovhub.org) is an attempt to physically collocate historically disparate but likeminded communities of practice under a single shared physical workspace in downtown Washington, DC. The OpenGov Hub aspires to be the day-to-day home to a range of organizations working on the open government agenda while also serving as a community gathering point for open government learning and networking activities in the Washington area.
An initial “mini”-Hub is being established at 1889 F Street in vacant space made available by founding Hub partner Development Gateway (pictures of the building and the space available on this Flickr stream).
A major goal is to make the Hub a physical destination for the broader Washington, DC open government community to launch reports, organize roundtable discussions, and sponsor receptions and networking events. Access to the Hub’s public meeting/presentation space is offered to any Hub tenant or Affiliated Organization/Individual at a nominal cost.
To encourage learning across the mix of Hub tenants, each Hub tenant is asked to prepare and present an “OpenGov U.” lecture semi-annually. These informal talks are TED-style presentations that aim to impart practical information about each tenant’s work and cause without creating a major burden on the presenting tenant. OpenGov U. talks are accessible to both Hub tenants as well as Affiliated Organizations/Individuals.
Job Description:
The OpenGov Hub community manager – a full-time position funded by Global Integrity – is the primary point of contact for all OpenGov Hub tenants as well as the broader OpenGov Hub community in Washington, DC for questions, requests, and support related to the Hub. The successful candidate will have an uncanny ability for herding cats and for generating consensus from of a wide range of opinions and personalities. You will help serve as the public face of the Hub, representing the many organizations that call the Hub home.
The Community Manager is responsible for:
- Serving as the primary point of contact for booking and administering all communal resources within the Hub (kitchens and coffee, shared technology, conference rooms, office furniture, mail and package collection, office supplies, building badges, rent collection, etc.).
- Building and maintaining relationships with third party contractors that have been successfully used and endorsed by Hub tenants – e.g. communications firms, web design firms, catering companies – so as to provide quick referrals to other Hub tenants.
- Serving as a liaison between tenants and the landlord/management company to ensure the timely resolution of any facilities-related issues.
- Helping to conceptualize, organize, and execute all Hub-related public activities including launch and release events, networking events, and “OpenGov U.” lectures/salons.
- Maintaining the Hub’s online presence, including the Hub website, social media profiles, and community listervs.
- Serving as the polite but firm “enforcer” of the Hub’s rules and regulations.
- Serving as note taker and secretary for the OpenGov Hub steering committee.
In addition, the Community Manager will also work closely with the Global Integrity Executive Director to manage a series of related operational portfolios specific to Global Integrity (primarily related to insurance, regulatory compliance, and back office infrastructure issues).
Position Location: Washington, DC.
Ideal Skill Set
Global Integrity attracts employees from the most distinctive professional and academic backgrounds. There is no cookie cutter ideal candidate for any position at Global Integrity. We are instead more interested in an individual’s drive, professionalism, and entrepreneurial energy. For this particular position, the following factors will strengthen an applicant’s candidacy:
- Strong writing and verbal communication skills: this means the ability to write a press release, blog post, policy summary, or op-ed with minimal guidance or copy editing and the ability to speak comfortably to an expert audience or on camera. Experience with news reporting or blogging (on any topic) is helpful.
- 3-10 years of relevant work experience. Most importantly, we want someone who has and can herd cats really well.
- Knowledgeable in organizational tools to create an effective communications/issue resolution system with hub tenants.
- We want someone who is hyper organized. Really, really organized. To the point of almost being worrisome.
- Fully proficient with web Content Management Systems such as Drupal and WordPress. Proven success in designing and maintaining Twitter and Facebook strategies. Working knowledge of other social networks is a plus.
- Experience with events planning a plus.
- Precision, organization, and ability to execute at a consistently high level with little to no micromanagement.
- Comfort in a perpetual start-up environment requiring extensive “self-starter” skills with minimal bureaucratic safety nets or backstopping.
- Familiarity with an international non-profit environment is helpful but not required. Experience working on collaborative ventures and/or multi-organization initiatives is a plus.
- Proficiency in a widely spoken second language; working English is required.
Our Culture
Our office environment (now spread between Washington, New York, and Cape Town (including two unique “hub” environments in Washington and Cape Town) requires openness, collaboration and flexibility. Our staff has an uncommon diversity of responsibilities: from high-level strategy to online messaging to logistics issues (we book our own travel and fix our own computers), everyone contributes. You will develop new skills in this job; expect to learn and adapt constantly. We are very much a learning organization.
We have a “no jerks” policy; you will be supported by results-oriented yet frequently cheerful coworkers whose primary mode of social engagement is based on trust and respect. We discourage pettiness, keeping score, and other thin-skinned professional habits.
International literacy and cross-cultural sensitivity are considered core competencies.
Compensation
The position is a manager-level position at Global Integrity (pay band: US$40,000 – US$59,999).
Global Integrity provides full health and disability benefits, as well as a modest life insurance policy, to all full-time employees and currently pays 100% of the premiums associated with those benefits. Holiday and sick time are also provided.
How to Apply
We will only be accepting applications for this position online via the following web form:
http://www.tfaforms.com/251426
After reviewing submitted applications, we anticipate calling back a small number of potential candidates for individual interviews via phone or in-person. Interviews will include both Global Integrity staff and colleagues from other Hub organizations. We are happy to answer additional questions directly (see Contact Information below), but all interested applicants must use the online form to apply for the position.
Deadline for Application: August 10 2012
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be an “open government” specialist to apply for this position?
A: No, though familiarity with issues of governance, participation, transparency, and anti-corruption are welcomed.
Q: I am not an American citizen, nor do I have a green card or work visa, but I’m interested in applying for this position. Will you sponsor a work visa for me?
A: Possibly. We do not want immigration issues to stand in the way of a great match for this position. Apply and let’s see where the discussion goes.
Q: Will I need to wear a badge every day if I work at Global Integrity and the OpenGov Hub?
A: Unfortunately, the Hub’s new location does in fact require a badge to clear security. But otherwise we try to go light on the formal trappings typical of larger institutions. “Perpetual startup” is a good way to think about what the office environment is like.
Contact Information
Nathaniel Heller, Global Integrity Executive Director
Office +1-202-449-4100
nathaniel dot heller at globalintegrity dot org
