Program Officer - International Religious Freedom

Organization:

Freedom House

Location:

United States (Washington, DC)

Website:

www.freedomhouse.org

Contact Information:

Lorena Castro

Phone:

202.747.7019

Email:

recruiting@freedomhouse.org

Fax:

202.822.3893

Apply online:

Click here to apply online for this position >>

Description:

Freedom House supports the spread of freedom and democracy throughout the world through research, effective advocacy, and programs directly supporting frontline activists. We are a leader in identifying threats to freedom through our highly regarded analytic reports, including Freedom in the World. With 13 field offices and two U.S. offices, we are supporting the right of every individual to be free.

The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief is one of the most fundamental human rights. Yet protecting and promoting this right remains a significant challenge across the globe. The IRF program promotes international religious freedom norms through social and cultural understanding, as well as seeks legal protections in accordance with those norms. It seeks to build local capacity and link proponents of religious freedom on an international level. This position works directly with the Project Coordinator in Jakarta, Indonesia and reports to the Senior Program Manager for International Religious Freedom.

Basic Functions:

• Oversee the day-to-day management of current projects;
• Organize program activities in the US, Southeast Asia, and MENA region, including but not limited to meetings, strategy sessions, and trainings;
• Write initial drafts of reports, funding proposals, and other information on Freedom House projects;
• Provide initial review, and if necessary, recommend corrections and/or amendments to Senior Program Manager on all reporting;
• Manage and track expenses, including filing monthly and quarterly financial reports, drafting project budgets, and coordinating necessary payments and expense documentation;
• Research new funding, project, and advocacy opportunities;
• Develop and maintain copies of up-to-date program information (1-pagers, brochures, project activities, etc.);
• Maintain a database of contacts on International Religious Freedom;
• Conduct outreach to other DC-based organizations working on religious freedom and coordinate regular meetings of these groups;
• Assist in developing relationships on Capitol Hill with congressional staffers interested in religious freedom issues;
• Liaise directly with international and local partners on financial and narrative reporting, program activities, and other projects;
• Represent Freedom House at DC events/meetings relevant to program;
• Support Freedom House¡¦s ongoing advocacy of democratic governance and human rights issues through occasional contribution to Freedom House publications, articles, and press releases when relevant;
• Monitor news and recent developments relating to religious freedom issues around the world, with special focus on Southeast Asia and MENA regions;
• Other duties as assigned.

Field:

• Facilitate, process, and track requests by specific Freedom House Indonesia field staff to Washington and requests from headquarters to field office and their subsequent responses;
• Obtain weekly program updates from field staff and update DC staff on program/country developments at weekly staff meetings;
• Monitor key events in the country backstopped (mainly pertaining to religious freedom, but including other issues such as elections, major news stories, status of particularly relevant legislation, etc.);
• Conduct pre-departure briefings for Freedom House staff members traveling to country backstopped;
• Travel to workshops, meetings, or other events in the field as necessary.

We offer great benefits including

• 100% employer-paid dental Insurance
• 100% employer-paid health insurance; or generously subsidized depending on plan and coverage
• 100% employer paid life insurance and Accidental death Insurance
• 100% employer paid short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) Retirement plan with generous matching funds with 2 year 100% vesting schedule
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care reimbursable expenses
• Transportation pre-tax payroll deduction for metro, and garage parking in DC
• Generous paid vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, and holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement for graduate studies
• A really nice place to work
• And much more¡K¡K

  Qualified and Interested applicants

  Please send a resume, and cover letter with salary requirements to: recruiting@freedomhouse.org or fax to (202) 822-3893, Attention: HR. Dept., referencing Req. 2011-007 Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

  EOE M/F/D/V

  Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree with a focus on international relations, political science, religious studies or related field; Master¡¦s degree strongly preferred
• 2-4 years experience in project management
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and inter-cultural communication skills
• Ability to build and cultivate strong partnerships
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multi-task, and prioritize effectively
• Understanding of U.S. government compliance and funding mechanisms highly desirable
• Knowledge of Sharia law/Islamic legal systems/experience working in Muslim majority countries an asset
• Human rights advocacy experience highly desirable
• Discretion, flexibility, the ability to deal with and negotiate conflict effectively, and a sense of humor