The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks several Program Officers to join its Eurasia team and contribute to the planning, design and evaluation of democratic development projects in collaboration with regional and field staff by performing the duties listed below.  The positions focus primarily on the Institute’s programs for Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova and Russia; however, portfolios are subject to change based on funding and other factors. The positions are available immediately.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as primary point of contact for field office in support of all programmatic and operational  needs

• Works with other team members, monitors budgets, grants and expenditures for large, complex program with multiple donors; creates proposal budgets with supporting notes for large programs; helps ensure compliance with donor and internal regulations; implements and manages all aspects of subgrants and procurement

• Drafts board memos, briefing memos, reports and other materials with some editing, direction and substance guidance; drafts entire or significant portions of quarterly reports, sections of work plans and larger proposals

• Performs first review of contracts for compliance with donor and NDI guidelines; prepares terms of reference and other required documents for contractors and vendors

• Develops program concepts for proposals in collaboration with functional team; develops program objectives that reflect broader institutional strategies and approaches in tandem with Program Manager and other senior program managers

• Leads work plan discussions; manages process for work plan drafting and submission.

• Anticipates programmatic administrative needs and takes appropriate actions; maintains interaction with field offices and monitors and measures program performance, timing and results; prepares for assessments

• Acts as liaison with members of NGO, funding and Washington policymaking communities; formulates funding ideas and pursues funding sources

• Provides support for local and regional program conferences, workshops and meetings; organizes major cross-functional workshops; organizes delegations abroad

• Recruits and briefs international trainers, volunteers and field representatives

• Mentors new staff; supervises work of interns as appropriate; 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; graduate degree desirable

• A minimum of four (4) years relevant work experience in international development, community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development or legislative affairs. Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis

• Living or working experience outside the U.S. preferred

• Demonstrated knowledge and/or competency in one or more areas of NDI’s functional programs and/or 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 communications skills to effectively present information, respond to questions

• Exceptional writing skills to effectively create clear and concise proposals and reports

• Foreign language ability applicable to the region, preferred

• Basic managerial skills; good negotiating skills; able to introduce new concepts

• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team

• Ability to take initiative, inspire and motivate staff

• 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; facility with Google platform and applications strongly preferred

• Working knowledge of basic budget and accounting procedures

• Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations, which are often remote and difficult to reach

COMMENTS: 

 Interviews for this position slated to begin in late January, 2021. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

As a result of COVID19, this position will start in a remote capacity. However, when the office re-opens, this position will be based in our Washington, DC office and the expectation is that you would be based locally to fulfill this obligation. NDI does not cover relocation costs for this position.

Candidates must be legally eligible and authorized 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 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 a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.

To apply please visit our website at http://www.ndi.org/careers.