NDI's Eurasia Team is seeking a Program Officer/Senior Program Officer to contribute to the planning, design and evaluation of democratic development projects in collaboration with regional and field staff by performing the duties listed below. The position focuses primarily on the Institute’s programs in Ukraine; however, portfolio is subject to change based on funding and other factors. The position is available immediately.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Deputy Regional Director, serves as primary point of contact for field office in support of all programmatic and operational  needs.
• Drafts board memos, briefing memos, reports and other materials with some editing, direction and substance guidance; drafts entire or significant portions of quarterly reports, sections of work plans and larger proposals.
• Develops program concepts for proposals in collaboration with functional team; develops program objectives that reflect broader institutional strategies and approaches in tandem with Senior Program Manager or Director.
• Leads work plan discussions; manages process for work plan drafting and submission.
• Manages overall strategy, vision and many aspects of fairly complex programs; anticipates programmatic administrative needs and with some guidance, takes appropriate actions; maintains interaction with field offices and monitors and measures program performance, timing and results; prepares for assessments.
• Meets with funding agency reps to describe program progress and to articulate new funding proposals and concepts; maintains frequent contact with NDI partners overseas and briefs specific country political, civic and business leaders, donor organizations and members of the international community about NDI activities; represents NDI at appropriate events.
• Acts as liaison with members of NGO, funding and Washington policymaking communities; formulates funding ideas and pursues funding sources.
• Monitors budgets, grants and expenditures for larger or complex programs with multiple field offices and/or reconciliations; creates proposal budgets with supporting notes for large programs; applies allowable costs according to restrictions, structures and mechanisms; ensures that they stay within budget limits; anticipates and successfully addresses costs and overages, and implements solutions to budget variances; implements and manages all aspects of subgrants.
• Travels to region to organize and conduct political assessments, assess new opportunities, develop assistance programs, and implement training activities; substantively contributes to assessments.
• Provides support for local and regional program conferences, workshops and meetings; organizes major cross-functional workshops; organizes delegations abroad.
• Recruits and briefs international trainers, volunteers and field representatives; develops a network and suggests utilization.
• Oversees creation and implementation of field office policies and handbooks;  mentors new staff; conducts basic, structured internal trainings.
• 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.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in International Relations or related subject; graduate degree preferred
• A minimum of four (4) years relevant work experience in international development (six years for Senior Program Officer), community organizing, political campaigns, organizational development or legislative affairs
• Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis
• Living or working experience outside the U.S. preferred

Required Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge and/or competency in one or more areas of NDI's functional programs and/or the assigned region's political environment
• High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders and policy makers
• Excellent oral communications skills to effectively present information, respond to questions
• Exceptional writing skills to effectively create clear and concise proposals and reports
• Foreign language ability applicable to the region, preferred
• Ability to prioritize, delegate and monitor program responsibilities and tasks
• Manage and direct up to three entry-level/junior staff members
• 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, and the ability to think innovatively
• Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications, including facility with Google platform and application
• Working knowledge of basic budget and accounting procedures
• Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations, which are often remote and difficult to reach

Position is based in Washington, DC. Applicants must pay own travel expenses for interviews. Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

APPLICATIONS WITHOUT COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

To apply for this position, please visit NDI's website at www.ndi.org/careers