Program Officer: Central and Eastern Europe

 

DEPARTMENT: Central and Eastern Europe                      

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Program Officer to join the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) team to 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. This full-time position is based in the Washington, DC office.

Responsibilities: 

• Drafts board memos, briefing memos, reports and other materials with some editing, direction and substance guidance; drafts quarterly reports, work plans and proposals with guidance; edits work of Program Assistant and Senior Program Assistant
• Develops program concepts for proposals in collaboration with functional team; develops program objectives that reflect broader institutional strategies and approaches in tandem with the Regional Director
• Contributes to work plan discussions and manages processes for work plan drafting and submission
• Supports the vision and many aspects of fairly 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 POC for field staff; meets with funding agency reps 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
• Acts as liaison with members of NGO, funding and Washington policymaking communities
• 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
• Travels to region to organize and conduct political assessments, assess new opportunities, develop assistance programs, and implement training activities; substantively contributes to assessments
• 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
• Oversees creation and implementation of field office policies and handbooks; provides guidance to Program and Senior Program Assistants on basic and more advanced NDI procedures and programmatic tasks; conducts basic, structured internal trainings
• 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 on a one-for-one basis
• A minimum of four (4) years relevant work experience in international development, community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development or legislative affairs
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or competency in one or more areas of NDI’s functional programs and the assigned region’s political environment
• High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders and policy makers
• Excellent oral and communication skills to effectively present information, respond to questions
• Exceptional writing skills to effectively create clear and concise proposals and reports
• Good negotiating skills; able to introduce new concepts
• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to analyze political work, define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions, and the ability to think innovatively
• Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Experience with Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, G+, etc.) strongly desired
• Working knowledge of basic budget and accounting procedures
• Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations, which are sometimes remote and difficult to reach

COMMENTS: 

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

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

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.