The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Program Director to contribute to the strategic vision, management and direction of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) team. The position would provide senior level insight and analysis on regional developments, contribute to outreach and fundraising efforts and be responsible for oversight of the headquarters management and some program implementation of specific country and program portfolios. The Program Director position is based in Washington, DC, with some travel to the region and other locations. This position is anticipated to be part time with benefits, with the potential to scale to full time, and is dependent on donor approval.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and oversight on assigned portfolios, including managing workflows to support country offices, leading fundraising for programs, and providing technical and political insight to program staff on relevant programming.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with US and regional policy makers, as well as government, academic, political party, civil society, diplomatic and legislative contacts.
• Lead regional staff in the development and execution of outreach and communication strategies with donors, government agencies, legislatures and other stakeholders.
• Undertake fundraising efforts to secure private and governmental funding for programs, including developing and nurturing donor contacts and relations, identifying sources of funding, leading and finalizing proposal processes and negotiating grants and contributions.
• Provide strategic direction and senior-management monitoring of budgets, grants and expenditures for assigned portfolios.
• Leverage regional knowledge, specialized expertise, relationships and political insights to provide strategic advice and counsel to program staff across portfolios, and identify areas of programmatic growth and expansion, as appropriate.
• Contribute to and/or lead cross-organizational initiatives on evidence-based learning and analysis, case study preparation and framework development to enhance democracy support programming around the world.
• Advise country representatives, country teams, junior staff and other team colleagues on NDI and donor policies.
• Lead recruiting processes and onboarding and training as required for lower-level portfolio staff, and actively nurtures and mentors staff in professional development.
• Represent the Institute at international and national venues to contribute substantively to policy discussions on foreign assistance and political developments in the MENA region.
• Undertake special projects as assigned by the Regional Director and/or Deputy Regional Director.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, international relations or a related field
• At least 14 years of substantive political or program implementation experience, including direct work for political parties, elected officials, government agencies and/or legislatures
• Experience working in a multicultural work environment and promoting staff development
• Knowledge of the MENA region, underlying political contexts and dynamics, policy frameworks and active political players
• Demonstrated experience in successful fundraising from government, foundation and private donors
• Knowledge of and ability to provide oversight and strategic direction for fulfilling donor requirements and regulations in financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting
• Experience in managing complex programs in fluid political environments
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and apply sophisticated political analysis to programmatic activities
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to develop and maintain professional political relationships
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior political and civic leaders as well as members of the donor and diplomatic community
• Experience in developing and implementing effective communication and outreach strategies for a variety of audiences
• Strong oral and written communication skills; fluency in English required; French and/or Arabic fluency highly desired, other language skills also a plus
• Seasoned project financial management skills
• Working knowledge of Google Apps suite, PC-based word processing, database and spreadsheet applications

Comments

While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environments and to comply with tax and legal obligations, successful candidates must be residents of MD, DC, or VA or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

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

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.

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