Program Officer-Central and Western Africa
The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Program Officer with political and organizational expertise to support the Institute’s democratic development programs in Central and West Africa. The position will be based in Washington, D.C. The Program Officer will assist in developing new projects, writing proposals and reports, and backstopping field teams in various African countries.
Background
To assist African countries develop and sustain democratic institutions and processes, NDI conducts programs in support of electoral processes, political parties, increased citizen involvement in political processes and effective legislatures. The Institute also promotes the political participation of women, youth and other marginalized groups.
Responsibilities
- Draft proposals, work plans, memos and other reports.
- Develop program concepts and strategies, including objectives and evaluation frameworks; manage proposal process and timeline for proposal submissions.
- Plan and oversees implementation of program activities in assigned countries in partnership with field staff.
- Participate in work plan discussions and manage work plan drafting and submission.
- Provide field offices with appropriate administrative or program backstopping.
- Monitor program implementation and share results with donors, NDI program partners and other stakeholders.
- Serve as primary point of contact for resident directors.
- Represent NDI at conferences and meetings with partners, donors and members of the foreign policy community.
- Monitor budgets, grants, subgrants and expenditures for assigned programs, ensuring budgets are adhered to. Anticipate and address costs and overages, implementing solutions to budget variances.
- Support proper management of program funds and timely reconciliation of program expenses.
- Travel to the region to participate in and evaluate current projects, and participate in negotiations with program partners including political and civic leaders.
- Recruit international trainers, volunteers and staff for Washington DC and Africa-based positions.
- Facilitate collaboration within the team and between teams.
- Ensure compliance with donor regulations and NDI policies by program staff in DC and in the field.
- Undertake additional duties as necessary.
Experience Required
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, law, international development or related subject; graduate degree preferred.
- A minimum of four (4) years relevant work experience in areas such as international development, community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development and legislative affairs. Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement.
- Strong experience in designing and writing project proposals, work plans, and program reports.
- Experience developing and managing budgets, and knowledge of basic budget and accounting procedures.
- Experience in results-oriented program design, strategic planning, and program evaluation techniques.
- Excellent oral communications skills to effectively present information, respond to questions.
- Exceptional writing skills to effectively create clear and concise proposals and reports.
- Good negotiating skills; ability to introduce new concepts and think innovatively.
- Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team.
- Ability to take initiative, inspire and motivate staff.
- Ability to analyze political work, define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
- Demonstrated competency in one or more areas of NDI’s functional areas.
- Strong project management and political analytical skills.
- Strong managerial and interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel and members of donor organizations.
- English language fluency; working proficiency in French is a plus.
- High degree of organization, initiative and attention to detail.
- Interest in, and knowledge of, political development in Africa.
- Experience living and working outside the U.S. preferred.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows environment, email technology and spreadsheets.
- Ability and willingness to travel to locations in Central and West Africa some of which may be remote or lacking modern communications or transportation infrastructure.
How to apply:
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