2104 Program Officer/Assistant Program Officer, Eurasia Regional Programs Department

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a federally funded, private, nonprofit grant making organization that works to support freedom around the world, seeks program staff for the Eurasia Regional Programs department. The positions, which include program officers and assistant program officers, are based in Washington, D.C.

Position Summary:

Programs staff provides strategic and programmatic guidance to NED grantees in Central Asia, including assisting them with program development and design, offering creative solutions to political and technical challenges, providing administrative advice, and facilitating contact with like-minded organizations throughout the region. Title, supervisory responsibility, and salary are commensurate with experience.

The Assistant Program Officer (APO) will assist with the management, administration, development, and evaluation of grant programs in Central Asia.

The Program Officer (PO) will work with the regional director and senior program staff to manage grants in Central Asia, including monitoring and assessment of projects and political analysis.  PO may also supervise junior staff.

Responsibilities: 

• Work closely and flexibly with a diverse range of activists in media, human rights, rule of law, conflict resolution, civic education, and other areas.
• Monitor political developments in Eurasia region to inform NED strategies and programming, including reading various US- and regional-based publications, meeting with regional political analysts and other partners, keeping abreast of the changing political environment, and actively coordinating with other Eurasia team members on their country portfolios.
• Oversee the implementation of NED-approved projects, including analysis of quarterly reports, providing feedback on implemented activities, maintaining continuous communication over the grant cycle, and conducting regular field visits.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and the institutional growth of NED grantees and the regional portfolio, and provide funding recommendations.
• Build and maintain relationships with like-minded organizations, including other donors, NED partners and regional organizations.
• Travel to monitor existing grantees, identify new funding opportunities, and gain an on‑the-ground perspective on the political situation. The visits include meetings with NED grantees, meetings with core institutes, potential civil society partners, other donors, and political analysts and opinion-makers.
• Think creatively about how to improve team effectiveness, improving grantee-reporting guidelines, communicating with other teams at NED, etc.
• Liaise with other NED teams; participate in various working groups, and other efforts to improve NED’s overall functioning and effectiveness.
• The level of responsibility and independence in assigned tasks will increase with experience.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge/Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development or a related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
  • Significant experience in nonprofit work.
  • Experience in democracy-related projects and programs required for:
    • Level 4 (APO) 2+ years
    • Level 5 (PO) 4+ years
  • 1+ years of living or working in the Eurasia region for APO; 2+ years of living and working in the region for PO.
  • Experience in financial monitoring and reporting.
  • Knowledge of program evaluation techniques.

• Other Qualifications:
  • Regional knowledge of one or more countries in Central Asia.
  • In-depth understanding of political issues and trends in Central Asia;
  • Full professional fluency in Russian language is required;
  • Proficiency in a Central Asia language is preferred;
  • Ability to travel to countries within the region, as needed;
  • Authorized to work in the United States.

• Competencies:
  • Exceptional analytical skills;
  • Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure;
  • High degree of organization and initiative;
  • Demonstrated ability to work as a team player, including coordination and facilitation skills.

Applications must include a cover letter, resume, desired salary, and contact information for three professional references, of which one should be a supervisor.  Please, no phone call inquiries.  Direct questions to careers@ned.org  with 2104 – YOUR NAME in the subject line. 

The NED is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  For more information, please visit our website at www.ned.org.