21110 - Assistant Program Officer/Program Officer for (East Asia)
21110 - ASSISTANT PROGRAM OFFICER/PROGRAM OFFICER FOR (EAST ASIA)
Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Full-time
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 East Asia. This position is based in Washington, D.C.
Position Summary:
The Assistant Program Officer/Program Officer will work with the Asia team leadership to manage the Endowment’s East Asia program, particularly programs related to North Korea, including monitoring and assessment of projects in the region.
Responsibilities:
- Work closely and flexibly with a diverse range of regional activists focused on the media, human rights, rule of law, conflict resolution, 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.
- Produce written materials and presentations to provide funding recommendations to NED leadership.
- Monitor political developments in the region relevant to the portfolio to inform NED strategies and programming, including reading various US- and regional-based publications, meeting with political analysts and other contacts, keeping abreast of the changing political environment, and actively coordinating with other Asia team members on their country portfolios.
- Build and maintain relationships with like-minded organizations, including other donors, NED partners, and regional organizations.
- Travel to monitor existing grantees, identify new funding opportunities, and gain an on‑the-ground perspective on the political situation. The visits will 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 effectiveness, grantee-reporting guidelines, communications with other teams at NED, etc.
- Liaise with other NED teams; participate in various working groups, and other efforts to improve NED’s overall functioning and effectiveness.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development, or a related discipline required; Master’s degree preferred.
- Relevant experience required:
- Level 4 (APO) 2+ years
- Level 5 (PO) 4+ years
- 1+ years of living or working in the region for APO; 2+ years of living and working in the region for PO preferred.
- Experience in financial monitoring and reporting.
- Knowledge of program evaluation techniques.
- Other Qualifications:
- Broad understanding of political issues and trends in the Asia region, with a particular focus on North Korea.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
- Full professional proficiency in Korean is preferred.
- Ability to travel to countries within the region, as needed.
- Authorized to work in the United States.
- Competencies:
- Exceptional analytical and interpersonal 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.
This position is part of the NED Bargaining Unit.
To Apply:
Applications must include a cover letter, resume, desired salary, and contact information for three professional references. Please, no phone calls. The NED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please visit our website at www.ned.org or careers@ned.org.