The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Resident Director with excellent management skills and extensive experience leading high-level program support in transition environments. The Resident Director will provide technical assistance to the legislature to be more responsive to citizen priorities; will coordinate technical assistance to civil society organizations to demand increased government transparency and accountability; and will facilitate increased engagement between the legislature and civil society. The Resident Director may also support electoral processes and greater inclusion of underrepresented groups in political processes.  In addition, the Resident Director is responsible for donor outreach and fundraising.  The Resident Director will provide leadership to a team of local staff. This position works closely with Washington-based management who provide overall strategic guidance and support for in-country activities. The Resident Director reports to the Regional Director and coordinates with headquarters-based program staff. The position is based in Monrovia, Liberia, and will require occasional travel within the country. The longevity of this position is contingent on funding. 

Responsibilities: 

• Provide high-level leadership of all country programs and coordinate day-to-day activity implementation and operations
• Ensure collaborative leadership and oversight of a country team, ensuring accountability in the execution of program activities and management of in-country operations and local staff based on established institutional procedures, local laws, donor regulations, and best practices
• Serve as a technical resource liaison to program partners, including government officials and civil society representatives, in response to implementation needs and requests
• Anticipate trends or events in political, social, and economic developments to gauge the impact on and opportunities for active and future new programs
• Lead development of new program initiatives, evaluate current programs, and engage with key program contacts, political leaders, civil society partners, donors, and other relevant stakeholders
• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with Liberian political and civic leaders and key actors, government ministries and departments, the media, and other stakeholders in political processes
• Monitor programs to determine that programmatic goals are achieved and that operational and reporting requirements are adhered to
• Manage in-country program budget, develop and maintain financial management systems, and ensure the submission of accurate monthly financial reconciliation statements to the DC office
• Ensure program compliance with donor requirements with regards to work plans and performance monitoring plans, and respect of procedures to ensure the integrity of all financial transactions
• Serve as the principal liaison between NDI and international donor representatives in-country, Liberian officials, international and local NGOs, the media, and the U.S. government representatives
• Develop fundraising strategies to help raise additional funds in coordination with the NDI Washington staff
• Oversee the writing and timely submission of program activity reports, quarterly reports, monitoring and evaluation data, periodic updates on political/security developments, and other program-related materials
• Collaborate with and build the capacity of NDI staff in Liberia to play a substantive role in program development and implementation

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations or a related field. Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis
• A minimum of twelve (12) years program management experience overseeing international development programs, preferably in the field of democracy and governance, and at least five in a senior leadership role
• Substantial work experience in multiple disciplines of democracy development, including electoral reform, civic engagement and/or civil society development, election observation, and governance processes, preferably in Africa
• Substantial experience overseeing and implementing programs, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and operations and human resources, including experience in overseeing sub-grants to local partners
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with and build relationships with senior political and civic leaders, U.S. and foreign government personnel and policymakers, and members of donor organizations
• Knowledge of NED and USAID processes and practices
• Substantial program design and management, proposal writing, and financial management experience, including experience in initiating and managing sub-grants preferred
• Ability to motivate and inspire a diverse group of professionals in a challenging environment, instilling a strong sense of mission and teamwork to program implementation
• Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor, and consultant
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and apply sophisticated political analysis to programmatic activities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required to effectively present information, respond to questions and negotiate outcomes
• Excellent organizational, networking and managerial skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional political relationships
• Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa region preferred
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Excel and Powerpoint, Google products, social media, Internet
• Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations which may be remote and difficult to reach 

Comments:
To comply with tax and legal obligations, all candidates for DC-based positions must reside in Maryland, DC or Virginia. While there may be flexibility for
remote/hybrid work environments, 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.

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