Trainee (m/f/d)

Trainee (m/f/d). Berlin. Posting Date: 09/16/2022. Deadline: 10/10/2022

Do you want to help make the world a better place? The Open Society Foundations (OSF) is offering a cross-organizational Trainee experience to motivated and ambitious young professionals looking to gain practical experience in foundation management and practice. This position will be based in OSF’s Berlin office.

OSF works to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people. We are active in more than 120 countries, making us the world’s largest private funder of independent groups working for justice, democratic governance, and human rights.

Together with seven other foundations, the Open Society Foundations offers a cross-organizational trainee program to motivated and ambitious young professionals who want to get to know foundation management in practice.

Within the framework of this 18-month program, the Trainee will gain exposure the work of the Open Society Foundations and one other partner foundation. In the process, you will be actively involved in the day-to-day business operations of funding programs, decision-making processes, and the development of program content and strategy. In addition, you will gain insights into the operational roles of key staff at foundations. You will also gain access to various training opportunities over the course of the program.  

The cross-foundation trainee program was developed as a training partnership between four partner foundations and four pool foundations.

If you apply to the program and are selected, you will spend 12 months of your trainee program at the Open Society Foundations in Berlin starting April 3rd 2023.

In-between, you will spend altogether 6 months at either one partner or one pool foundation (split into 3 months each):

Partner foundations:

• BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt
• Joachim Herz Foundation or,
• Mercator Foundation.

Pool foundations:

• Bertelsmann Foundation,
• German Federal Environmental Foundation,
• Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung,
• Körber Foundation.

The estimated timelines for these external terms are September 4th, 2023 – November 30th 2023 and April 1st 2024 – June 28th 2024.

What we are looking for

• Completed university studies (Diploma, Magister or Master) with above-average success. All fields of study are welcome.
• Initial practical experience as well as voluntary commitment
• High social and intercultural competence paired with willingness to learn,
• Distinct conceptual and analytical skills as well as entrepreneurial thinking,
• Sense of responsibility and independence plus initiative and team spirit,
• Excellent German and English skills, both written and spoken.

What we offer our trainees

• Intensive training in the Open Society Foundation as well as in our partner and pool foundations
• Systematic development of your professional competence through varied assignments in projects and in day-to-day business
• Active support in expanding your skills through participation in continuing education opportunities
• Extensive knowledge of how several foundations function and operate
• Opportunity to build a cross-foundation network through practical phases in several large German foundations
• Appropriate remuneration

The contract is limited to 18 months. The place of work during the phases at the Open Society Foundations is Berlin and varies depending on your external station.

Please note, this position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship.

If this sounds like the position you have been looking for, please submit your cover letter and CV by October 10, 2022 (attachments in PDF format only and a total size of no more than 10 MB).  

We look forward to learning more about you!

For any questions, please reach out to susanne.mueller@opensocietyfoundations.org