22134 - Assistant Program Officer/Program Officer for (LAC)
The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the globe. With an annual appropriation from Congress, NED makes more than 2,000 grants to support the projects of nongovernmental groups abroad who are working for democratic goals in more than 100 countries. Governed by an independent Board of Directors, NED holds 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 Assistant Program Officer/Program Officer who is a mission-oriented team player, and who would be excited to join a growing and fast-paced Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Regional Programs team. This position is based in Washington, D.C.
Position Summary:
The Assistant Program Officer/Program Officer will work with the LAC team leadership to manage the Endowment’s LAC Regional program, particularly initiatives focused on democratic cooperation and solidarity building in the region, 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 LAC 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.
- The level of responsibility and independence in assigned tasks will increase with experience.
Qualifications:
Knowledge/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development, or a related discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
- 2+ years of experience for APO and 4+ years of experience for PO.
- 1+ years of living or working in the region for APO, 2+ years of living and working in the region for PO.
- Significant experience in nonprofit work.
- Experience in financial monitoring and reporting.
- Knowledge of program evaluation techniques.
Other Qualifications:
- Regional knowledge of one or more countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region.
- In-depth understanding of political issues and trends in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region.
- Full professional fluency in Spanish is required.
- Proficiency in Portuguese is a plus.
- Ability to travel to countries within the region, as needed.
- Authorized to work in the United States.
Competencies:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Exceptional analytical and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.
- A 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, of which one should be a supervisor. Please, no phone call inquiries.
The NED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of 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 http://www.ned.org/careers or careers@ned.org.