2184 PROGRAM OFFICER/ASSISTANT PROGRAM OFFICER (APO), EURASIA

Program Officer/Assistant Program Officer (APO), Eurasia Regional Programs Department

National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

Washington, D.C.

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a federally funded, private, nonprofit grant making organization that works to support freedom around the world, seeks program staff for the Eurasia Regional Programs department. The positions include assistant program officer or program office, and are based in Washington, D.C.

Position Summary:

Programs staff provides strategic and programmatic guidance to NED grantees in Eurasia, including assisting them with program development and design, offering creative solutions to political and technical challenges, providing administrative advice, and facilitating contact with like-minded organizations throughout the region.

The Program Officer/Assistant Program Officer (PO/APO) will assist with the management, administration, development, and evaluation of grant programs in Eurasia.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely and flexibly with a diverse range of activists in media, human rights, rule of law, conflict resolution, civic education, and other areas.
• Monitor political developments in Eurasia region to inform NED strategies and programming, including reading various US- and regional-based publications, meeting with regional political analysts and other partners, keeping abreast of the changing political environment, and actively coordinating with other Eurasia team members on their country portfolios.
• Oversee the implementation of NED-approved projects, including analysis of quarterly reports, providing feedback on implemented activities, maintaining continuous communication over the grant cycle, and conducting regular field visits.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and the institutional growth of NED grantees and the regional portfolio and provide funding recommendations.
• Build and maintain relationships with like-minded organizations, including other donors, NED partners and regional organizations.
• Travel to monitor existing grantees, identify new funding opportunities, and gain an on‑the-ground perspective on the political situation. The visits include meetings with NED grantees, meetings with core institutes, potential civil society partners, other donors, and political analysts and opinion-makers.
• Think creatively about how to improve team effectiveness, improving grantee-reporting guidelines, communicating with other teams at NED, etc.
• Liaise with other NED teams; participate in various working groups, and other efforts to improve NED’s overall functioning and effectiveness.
• The level of responsibility and independence in assigned tasks will increase with experience.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development, or a related discipline; Master’s level education or equivalent knowledge is desired.

• Experience in nonprofit work.

• Experience in democracy-related projects and programs required for:

  • Level 4 (APO) 2+ years
  • Level 5 (PO) 4+ years

• 1+ years of living and working in the region for APO; 2+ years of living and working in the region for PO required.

• Experience in financial monitoring and reporting.

• Knowledge of program evaluation techniques.

• Other Qualifications:

• Full professional fluency in Russian language is required.

• Regional knowledge of Eurasia or specific countries in the region.

• In-depth understanding of political issues and trends in Eurasia.

• Ability to travel to countries within the region, as needed.

• Authorized to work in the United States.

• Competencies:**

• Exceptional analytical skills.

• Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.

• High degree of organization and initiative.

• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player, including coordination and facilitation skills.

This position is part of the NED Bargaining Unit.