Header

Program Officer - MENA Programs

Freedom House
Location:
United States (Washington, DC)
Website:
www.freedomhouse.org
Email:
recruiting@freedomhouse.org
Description:
Program Officer Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Location: Washington, DC

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.

Position Summary

The Program Officer will develop culturally appropriate programming initiatives that have the strong support of local stakeholders. He/she will report directly to the Senior Program Officer.

Some Duties and Responsibilities

  • Conduct day-to-day project administration to support programming in the region
  • Organize program activities in the US and Middle East - North Africa
  • Provide initial review, and if necessary, recommend corrections and/or amendments to Senior Program Manager on all reporting from the field
  • Manage and track expenses, including filing monthly and quarterly financial reports
  • Represent Freedom House at DC events/meetings relevant to program, notify field staff prior to event, and brief field staff afterwards
  • Support Freedom House's ongoing advocacy of democratic governance and human rights issues through occasional contribution to Freedom House publications, articles, and press releases
  • Assist in reviewing survey reports for countries in Middle East - North Africa
  • Facilitate, process, and track requests by field offices to Washington DC and vice-versa
  • Obtain weekly program updates from field office contact and update DC staff on program/country developments at weekly staff meetings; share relevant DC updates to field staff
  • Monitor key events in the region (including elections, major news stories, status of particularly relevant human rights/democracy legislation, etc.), maintain country background files
  • Conduct pre-departure briefings for Freedom House staff members and consultants as needed
  • Travel to the region as needed
  • Implement and coordinate operations related to programming in the region
  • Liaise with the regional field offices and maintain routine, effective, and open communication with field staff
  • Coordinate closely with other DC-based staff who work on thematic programs in Middle East - North Africa
  • Build and sustain good relationships with other international NGOs working in the region
  • Oversee and manage program expenditures and budget
  • Contribute substantively to proposal development and fundraising opportunities;
  • Monitor and report on Middle East - North Africa projects; and other programmatic and administrative duties as needed.

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 and dismemberment
  • 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
  • And much more……

Qualification:
  • Bachelor's degree with a focus on international relations, Middle East studies, development policy, political science, or related field; Master's degree preferred
  • 4 years of related experience with a minimum 2 years experience in project management
  • Strong ability to communicate effectively in both English and Arabic (verbally and in writing)
  • Strong interpersonal and inter-cultural communication skills
  • Ability to build and cultivate strong partnerships
  • Ability to work effectively to meet set goals in a deadline-driven environment
  • Strong ability to apply effective organizational and multitasking skills to meet deadlines
  • Discretion, flexibility, the ability to deal with and negotiate conflict effectively
  • Experience living/working in the MENA region or extensive travel to the region; expertise in North Africa, particularly Tunisia preferred
  • Human rights advocacy experience preferred
  • Policy/research experience in democracy/governance preferred
  • Understanding of USAID compliance and funding mechanisms preferred
  • Background in law and /or transitional justice preferred

We invite qualified candidates to send a resume, and cover letter with salary requirements to: recruting@freedomhouse.org or fax at (202) 822-3893, Attention: HR Dept., referencing 2011-047 Program Officer MENA. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

EOE M/F/D/V