Director, Country Support (Programs)

Job description

Mandate As a member of the ExCom, the Director, Country Support will help shape the overall direction and ambition of the OGP Support Unit. They will be expected to substantially contribute directly, and through the programs and teams they oversee, in close coordination with the other Director Country Support, to the successful delivery of the overall Strategic Goals. They will contribute to achieving our fundraising targets and will represent the organisation externally. They are an inspiring strategic leader who embodies OGP values. They hold themselves and others accountable for delivery in line with agreed responsibilities and plans. They are also responsible for working with the Executive Committee to advance the organization’s transformation agenda. The Director, Country Support (Programs) oversees and directs the implementation of key programs within Country Support, ensuring strategic alignment with OGP’s strategy. The programs include Member Services, OGP Local, and EU-funded programs (currently Road4EAP and PDA). They are accountable for ensuring the smooth rollout of the updated OGP action framework, for developing a universal, standardised service model (process and policy) for members, for guiding the member services function and working in collaboration with regional teams, the IRM, and the policy team. For OGP Local, they are accountable for guiding Local's strategic pivot towards scaling innovation and deepening leadership, impact, and inspiration. For the EU programs, they are accountable for ensuring that the grant programs further OGP’s strategic goals, are aligned with organizational and funder priorities, and for managing senior funder relations in coordination with the Program Leads and SLT. This includes driving the changes and innovations required across the country and local program teams. As transformation priorities evolve over the next 18 months, aspects of the current mandate of the Director (and the Director, Country Support (Regions)), and the teams within country and local programs they oversee, may shift. Key Responsibilities Overall Strategic Leadership & Direction Overses and directs the strategic implementation of key programs such as Member Services, OGP Local, and EU-funded programs within the Country Support portfolio. Together with the Director, Country Support (Regions), ensure that country and local programs across the two directorates are coherent, coordinated, and advance OGP’s overall strategy and organizational priorities. Contribute to organizational fundraising efforts and be responsible for fundraising and grant renewals for the programs. Coordinating with others to secure and increase country contributions from members. Co-lead on annual budget and work plan preparation and ongoing monitoring, with the Director, Country Support (Regions) Secure their teams’ contributions to MEL activities, donor reporting, and learning. Represent OGP externally at events and in high-level country visits. Organizational Transformation Work closely with the Executive Committee and the Director, Country Support (Regions) to drive and implement OGP’s organizational transformation agenda. Lead change and innovation efforts across the country and local program teams to strengthen performance and future-readiness. Adapt responsibilities as transformation priorities evolve over the next 18 months. Strategic Direction Setting and Oversight of the Action Framework & Service Model Oversee the smooth rollout and adoption of the updated OGP action framework across all relevant teams. Develop and institutionalize a universal, standardized, scalable, and sustainable service delivery model—including core processes, policies, guidance, and services. Provide strategic guidance to Member Services and ensure strong collaboration with regional teams, the IRM, and the policy team. Strategic Direction Setting and Oversight OGP Local Leadership Oversee the strategic evolution of OGP Local, ensuring a pivot toward scaling innovation and increasing leadership, impact, and inspiration across the cohort. Lead fundraising efforts for OGP Local. Strengthen the visibility, influence, and performance of OGP Local within the wider OGP system. EU-Funded Programs Oversight Ensure EU-funded programs (Road4EAP, PDA) advance OGP’s strategic goals and meet both organizational and donor priorities. Provide strategic oversight of grant design, delivery, reporting, and compliance. Manage senior-level funder relationships, ensure strong program performance and accountability, and secure grant renewals and expansions. Reporting Lines The Director will report to a SLT member and will have oversight for the following functions: Member Services OGP Local EU Programs (EAP and PDA) The Director will establish performance expectations and manage and coach their direct reports on successful delivery. Experience Requirements Required Demonstrated experience in strategy setting, program oversight, and contributing to organizational or programmatic change processes. Proven ability to lead or coordinate complex, multi-country programs or initiatives, including managing multiple stakeholders and workstreams. Strong background in stakeholder engagement, including effective collaboration with government counterparts, civil society partners, donors, or multilateral institutions. Experience in managing and coaching teams, contributing to staff development, and fostering a positive team culture. Experience in managing budgets, work plans, and reporting to ensure delivery of high-quality results. Evidence of strong performance and growth in current and previous roles, including demonstration of leadership, initiative, and the ability to work effectively across teams. Preferred Experience in open government reform with a credible track record and/or established networks in governments, civil society, donors, or multilateral spaces. Experience supporting the development or implementation of ambitious open government commitments across a range of thematic areas. Experience engaging with and managing funder relationships, including compliance, reporting, and donor-facing communication. Experiencing representing an organization at high-level public events, strategic consultation,s or external partnerships. Experience designing or leading innovation-focused initiatives or programs. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Exceptional strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to translate organizational priorities into clear workstreams and program direction. Strong systems thinking and experience designing and implementing frameworks, service models, and organizational processes. Proven ability to oversee program design and delivery, ensuring strategic alignment, quality, and member value. Ability to build and maintain strong, positive, and collaborative working relationships across the Support Unit, navigating different styles and competing priorities. Ability to balance innovation with operational discipline to support effective and sustainable program scaling. Skilled in leading through influence within matrixed, global, and remote teams. Strong change management and organizational development capabilities, particularly during periods of transformation. Excellent goal-setting, prioritization, and accountability management. Strong diplomacy, negotiation, and relationship-building skills with senior government counterparts, donors, and global partners. Experience in maintaining senior funder relationships and aligning donor priorities with strategic objectives. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, able to synthesize complex ideas and represent OGP effectively. Collaborative, inclusive leadership style with the ability to find the best ways forward and bring peers and teams along. Adaptability, resilience, and comfort navigating uncertainty, particularly during periods of organizational change. Demonstrating core OGP values of honesty, humility, integrity, transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness. About Open Government Partnership (OGP) The Open Government Partnership (OGP) was formed in 2011 by governments and civil society organizations seeking new ways of working together to make societies more transparent, accountable, inclusive, and participatory. OGP has grown over its first decade into a global effort of close to 200 national and local governments, thousands of civil society organizations, and many others. The OGP community is made up of thousands of relentless, creative, and inspiring trailblazers, innovators, and deeply committed reformers striving to make a difference.