Deadline: Open Until Filled
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a federally funded, private, nonprofit grantmaking organization that works to support freedom around the world, seeks an Assistant Program Officer or Program Officer for Southeast Europe. The position is based in Washington, D.C.
Position Summary:
The Assistant Program Officer (APO) or Program Officer (PO) will work with the regional director and senior program staff to manage the Endowment’s grant programs in the Southeast Europe region, with emphasis on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, and potentially Central Europe, as well as other countries in Europe as needed.
Responsibilities:
- Work with a diverse range of local civil society groups and media, who focus on accountability and governance, rule of law, civic education, and other areas. Build and maintain relationships with like-minded organizations, including other donors, NED partners and regional organizations.
- Monitor the implementation of NED-approved projects and evaluate the effectiveness and the institutional growth of NED grantees by analyzing grantee reports, providing feedback on implemented activities, maintaining continuous communication over the grant cycle, and conducting regular field visits.
- Produce written materials and presentations to provide funding recommendations to NED leadership.
- Monitor political developments in the countries relevant to the portfolio 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 Europe team members on their country portfolios.
- Travel to monitor existing grantees, identify new funding opportunities and understand the political situation and political actors. 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’s effectiveness, grantee-reporting guidelines, and other processes.
- Liaise with other NED teams; participate in various working groups and other initiatives to improve NED’s thematic expertise and overall functioning and effectiveness.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development or a related discipline is required; relevant Master’s degree preferred.
- Significant experience in the nonprofit sector or donor organization.
- Experience in democracy-related projects and programs required for:
- Level 4 (APO) 2-4 years
- Level 5 (PO) 4-7 years
- 1+ years of relevant field experience in the Western Balkans is required for APO; 2+ years of relevant field experience in the Western Balkans is required for PO.
- Some knowledge and experience in financial monitoring and reporting.
- Knowledge of the program management cycle.
- Other Qualifications:
- In-depth understanding of political issues and trends in Southeast Europe.
- Familiarity with civil society issues and knowledge of civil society organizations and individual activists in the region.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Professional fluency in Bosnian, Serbian, or Croatian is required.
- Ability to travel to Southeast Europe.
- Authorized to work in the United States.
- Competencies:
- Solid analytical skills.
- Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.
- Strong organizational skills and initiative.
- Demonstrated ability to work as a team player, including coordination and facilitation skills.
To Apply:
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.
The NED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics covered by applicable law. The NED is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business need. The NED believes that diversity and inclusion amongst our team members are critical to our success as an organization operating globally and seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
Job Listing: https://www.ned.org/about/jobs/#op-528070-2277-assistant-program-officer-or-program-officer-europe-se-europe