The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Program Officer to join its Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) team in the Washington, DC office, 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 does not have direct reports.
 

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

• Collaboratively 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

• Contributes to work plan discussions, 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 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 primary point of contact for assigned programs; meets with funding agency reps to describe program progress and to articulate new funding proposals and concepts

• 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

• Shortlists international trainers for numerous positions related to LAC; participates in some recruitment activities for LAC staff

• Supports development and appropriate implementation of field office policies and handbook; 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 present

Qualifications: 

• 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 environment 

• 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 and written communication skills in English to effectively present information, respond to questions, and prepare written reports in a professional and timely manner

• Fluency in Spanish required; Additional linguistic abilities in French also useful

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

• Smooth multitasking among four or more responsibilities

• 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.) strongly desired

• Proven budget and basic accounting skills

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of time based on budget and organizational needs to regional locations, which are sometimes remote or difficult to reach

Comments: 

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 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.

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