United States of America: Program Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean

Organization: National Democratic Institute
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 16 Nov 2014

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Program Officer to support country staff, senior program officers and the regional director in the day-to-day activities of planning, designing and implementing programs related to strengthening political parties, civic organizations, election bodies, local governments and legislatures by performing the following duties:
Primary Responsibilities

• Monitors political events throughout the region.
• Provides administrative and logistical support to field offices and regional staff.
• Compiles briefing materials for staff, consultants and volunteers in field programs.
• Drafts briefing memos, proposals, work plans, quarterly and other reports with minimal substance guidance; edits work of Senior Program Assistants.
• Develops program concepts; manages proposal process and timeline for proposal submissions; drafts program objectives, results and indicators, and contributes to program strategy.
• Leads work plan discussions; manages process for work plan drafting and submission.
• Manages overall strategy and vision; handles most aspects of program management; anticipates and plans for programmatic needs and takes action accordingly; maintains interaction with field offces and monitors and measures program performance, timing and results; prepares for assessments.
• Serves as Point of Contact; meets with funding agencies to describe program progress and articulate new funding proposals; Frequent contact with NDI partners.
• Represents NDI at local conferences and meetings with NGO community, funders and donors and members of the foreign policy community to assist with NDI's public outreach.
• Lends support to Supervisors by providing effective management of multiple grants with multiple programs and reconciliations; monitors appropriate application of allowable costs; ensures that they stay within budget limits; anticipates and successfully addresses costs and overages, and implements solutions to budget variances; guides other staff regarding structures and mechanisms.
• Creates initial drafts of budgets; generates pipeline of expenses.
• Travels to the region to organize and conduct political assessments, assess new opportunities, participate in and evaluate current projects.
• Provides support for local and regional program conferences, workshops and meetings; organizes cross-functional workshops; organizes delegations abroad.
• Recruits international trainers, volunteers and staff for numerous positions within the assigned programs; directs collaboration within the team and between teams.
• Ensures appropriate implementation of field office policies and handbook; interprets policies in field office; supervises junior staff; identifies development opportunities for Senior Program Assistants.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with international democratic development organizations, civic organizations and NDI's network of volunteer trainers and experts; acts as back-up to team members not present.
• Translates documents as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree, preferably in International Relations, Political Science or a related field; graduate degree preferred;
• Minimum of four (4) years (Program Officer) experience in international development, community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development or legislative affairs; Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement;
• Experience living and working overseas, preferably in the region;
• Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel and NGO community;
• Excellent oral communication skills to effectively present information and respond to questions;
• Exceptional writing skills, clear and persuasive with little editing;
• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team;
• Basic managerial skills, good negotiation skills.
• Ability to take initiative and motivate staff.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions;
• Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications;
• Working knowledge of budget and accounting procedures;
• Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations which are often remote and difficult to reach;
• Interest in and knowledge of regional political environment and people;
• Political analysis skills;
• Fluency in oral and written Spanishand English required;
• Experience in Program Design and how to strategize;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Ability to effectively prioritize;
• Ability to coordinate activities with superiors, colleagues and overseas field staff;
• Familiarity with web-based informational and organizational tools.

**
In order to be eligible for this position, candidates must possess current authorization to work in the United States without requiring employer sponsorship.**

Apply Here

PI86020618

How to apply:

Apply Here