Senior Program Officer: MENA

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

Senior Program Officer: Middle East and North Africa

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs seeks a Program Officer 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 position may provide significant support to non-presence and regional programs in MENA, where the ability to communicate directly with partners and participants is required. This position is based in Washington D.C.This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

Responsibilities:

• Drafts board memos, proposals, work plans, quarterly and other reports with minimal substance guidance; edits work of Program and Senior Program Assistants and Program Officers
• Develops program concepts and leads strategic discussions; supports proposal process and timeline for proposal submissions; develops program objectives, results and indicators, as well as program strategy
• Leads work plan discussions and supports processes for work plan drafting and submission
• Contributes to overall strategy and vision; handles all aspects of program management; anticipates and plans for programmatic needs and takes action accordingly; provides guidance to staff in this area; oversees programmatic progress and measures program performance, timing and results; conducts assessments
• Serves as point of contact for country programs; engages funding agencies for new funds and extensions; initiates and maintains relations with high-level political partners; cultivates successful relationships with funders
• Represents NDI at local conferences and meetings with NGO community, funders and donors and members of the foreign policy community to assist with NDI’s public outreach
• Lends support to Management by providing effective management of multiple grants with multiple programs and reconciliations; oversees appropriate application of allowable costs; ensures that they stay within budget limits; anticipates and successfully addresses costs and overages, and implements solutions to budget variances; guides other staff regarding structures and mechanisms
• Travels to the region to plan and lead political assessments, assess new opportunities, participate in and evaluate current projects, and negotiate with key program contacts, political leaders, donors and others
• Provides support for local and regional program conferences, workshops and meetings; organizes major cross-functional workshops; organizes delegations abroad
• Shortlists international trainers, volunteers and field representatives; participates in some recruitment activities, develops a network and suggests utilization
• Ensures appropriate implementation of field office policies and handbook; interprets policies in field office; provides guidance to Program Officer and Program Assistants; identifies development opportunities for Program and Senior Program Assistants and Program Officers

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

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in International Relations or related subject; Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement

• A minimum of six (6) years relevant work experience in international development, community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development, legislative affairs

• Experience in program design

• Demonstrated knowledge and/or competency in one or more areas of NDI’s functional programs and/or the assigned region’s political environment and people
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, 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
• Foreign language ability in French and/or Arabic preferred
• Strong negotiating and managerial skills; able to introduce new concepts
• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Smooth multi-tasking among four or more responsibilities
• Ability to lead, inspire and motivate staff where mentoring results are clearly beneficial
• Ability to analyze political work, to 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.) strongly desired
• Seasoned budget and accounting skills
• Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations, which are often remote and difficult to reach
  Comments:

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

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all, NDI bases its employment decisions on merit, qualifications and abilities. NDI is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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

PI124954263

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