Program Officer – Middle East and North Africa (M)

Job Function: Washington DC
Department: Middle East & North Africa
Location: Washington, DC

Program Officer: Middle East and North Africa (Multiple Positions)

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs seeks Program Officers to join its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) team and contribute to the planning, designing and implementation of programs related to strengthening civil society, enhancing democratic governance, enhancing women’s and other marginalized groups’ political participation, and strengthening political parties. The Program Officer(s) may provide significant support to non-presence and regional programs in MENA, where the ability to communicate directly with partners and participants is required. These positions are based in Washington D.C.

Responsibilities:

• Drafts, and coordinates with the team on drafting, final editing and submission of board memos, proposals, work plans, quarterly and other reports with minimal substance guidance; edits work of Program and Senior Program Assistants
• In collaboration with other team members, develops program concepts and leads strategic discussions; manages proposal process and timeline for proposal submissions; develops program objectives, results and indicators, as well as program strategy
• Leads work plan discussions; manages process for work plan drafting and submission
• In partnership with field staff, plans and supports program activities in assigned countries; anticipates program needs and ensures that field offices receive needed administrative or program backstopping in DC
• Supports the overall strategy, vision and many aspects of complex programs; anticipates programmatic administrative needs and with some guidance, takes appropriate actions; maintains interaction with field offices and monitors and measures program performance, timing and results; prepares for assessments
• Serves as primary point of contact for assigned programs; meets with donor representatives to describe program progress and to articulate new funding proposals and concepts; maintains frequent contact with NDI partners overseas and briefs specific country political, civic and business leaders, donor organizations and members of the international community about NDI activities; represents NDI at appropriate events
• Coordinates external communication strategies and development of related materials, such as web stories, op eds, among others
• Supports development and dissemination of online materials and coordination of virtual events, including participant recruitment and engagement as necessary
• Acts as liaison with members of NGO, funding and Washington policymaking communities and represents NDI at local conferences and meetings; formulates funding ideas and pursues funding sources; assists with public outreach
• Monitors budgets, grants and expenditures for larger or complex programs with multiple field offices and/or reconciliations; creates proposal budgets with supporting notes for large programs; applies allowable costs according to restrictions, structures and mechanisms; ensures that they stay within budget limits; anticipates and successfully addresses costs and overages, and implements solutions to budget variances; implements and manages all aspects of subgrants
• Recruits and briefs international trainers; develops a network and suggests utilization
• Supports development and appropriate implementation of field office policies and handbook; provides guidance to Program and Senior Program Assistants on NDI procedures and programmatic tasks; mentors new staff; conducts basic, structured internal trainings

• Maintains collaborative relationships with international democratic development organizations, civic organizations and NDI’s network of trainers and experts; acts as back-up to team members not presentQualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Economics, International Relations or related subjects; Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis

• A minimum of four (4) years relevant work experience in international development, community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development, legislative affairs

• Demonstrated knowledge and/or competency in one or more areas of NDI’s functional programs and the assigned region’s political and socio-cultural environment

• Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff in the field and in HQ, US and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders, and policy makers
• Excellent oral communications skills to effectively present information, respond to questions
• Exceptional writing skills, clear and persuasive with little to no editing
• Ability to write effectively for a number of audiences in different styles (donor report writing, success stories, public-facing webstories, press releases, etc.)
• Experience developing external communication/outreach strategies
• Experience engaging with partners and colleagues through various virtual meeting platforms
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English to effectively present information, respond to questions, and prepare written reports in a professional and timely manner
• Professional-level language proficiency in French and/or Arabic strongly preferred
• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Smooth multi-tasking among four or more responsibilities
• Ability to take initiative, inspire and motivate fellow staff
• Ability to analyze political work, think innovatively and introduce new concepts
• Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Experience with Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, G+, etc.) and virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, Bluejeans, RingCentral and others strongly desired
• Proven budget and basic accounting skills
• Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations, which are sometimes remote or difficult to reachComments:

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

NDI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and NDI employees. NDI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at NDI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or medical related condition.

Please apply on-line through NDI’s website at: www.ndi.org/careers

PI124954530

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