Job Posting: Program Officer/Assistant Program Officer Southeast Europe, National Endowment for Democracy

Deadline: Open Until Filled

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a 501(c)3 grantmaking foundation that receives an annual Congressional appropriation in excess of $310 million and is governed by a private, bipartisan Board of Directors. This unusual arrangement positions NED to play a unique role as America’s leading foundation for freedom, empowering the institution to be nimble, innovative, and risk-taking in support of democratic activists, civil society organizations, independent media, and the NED family core institutes (the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and the Solidarity Center).

We seek a motivated, energetic, organized, and resourceful Program Officer/Assistant Program Officer Southeast Europe who is a mission-oriented team player, and who would be excited to join a fast-paced Europe programs team. This 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 Albania and Kosovo, including monitoring and assessment of projects. 

Responsibilities:

  • Work closely and flexibly with a diverse range of local activists in the areas of supporting independent media, accountability and governance, transitional justice, rule of law, civic education, and other areas.
  • 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.
  • Provide funding recommendations to NED’s leadership through presentations and written materials.
  • Monitor and analyze political developments in the countries relevant to the portfolio to inform NED strategies through a variety of sources.
  • Build and maintain relationships with like-minded organizations, including other donors, NED partners and regional organizations.
  • Travel to monitor grantees, 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.
  • Contribute to team’s effectiveness and cohesiveness. Actively coordinate with other Europe team members on their country portfolios.
  • Liaise with other NED teams -participate in various working groups, and other efforts to improve NED’s overall functioning and effectiveness.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development or a related discipline is required; relevant Master’s degree preferred.
  • Significant experience in nonprofit work.
  • Experience in democracy-related projects and programs required 2-4 years for APO and 4-7 years for PO.
  • 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.
  • Experience in financial monitoring and reporting.
  • Knowledge of program evaluation techniques.
  • In-depth understanding of political issues and trends in Southeast Europe, and specifically in Kosovo and Albania.
  • Familiarity with civil society issues and knowledge of civil society organizations and individual activists in the region.
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
  • Full professional fluency in Albanian is desired.
  • Solid 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.
  • Ability to travel to countries in the portfolio.
  • Authorized to work in the United States.

This Position is Part of NED Bargaining Unit.

To Apply:

Applications must include a cover letter, resume, desired salary, and contact information for three professional references, one of which must be a supervisor.  Please, no phone calls.

The NED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on 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.

For more information, please visit our website at www.ned.org or careers@ned.org.