MENA Democracy Programs Associate

National Endowment for Dem; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington, DC seeks an Assistant Program Officer to support the MENA portfolio by assisting with the management, administration, and development of programming in North Africa and nearby regions. The role is hybrid and based in DC, within the bargaining unit.

You will work with leadership to evaluate proposals, prepare funding recommendations, and maintain ongoing communication with grantees in Arabic and French while helping organize events and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development, Middle East and North Africa studies, or a related discipline required; Master's Degree preferred.
• 2 - 4 years of relevant professional experience in democracy support, human rights, civil society, or a related field, including experience living and/or working in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic are required.
• French language proficiency is preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office is required.
• Field experience with NGOs in one or more MENA countries is preferred.
• Knowledge of political issues and trends in the MENA region, particularly North Africa.
• Ability to travel to the MENA region, particularly North African countries as needed.
• High degree of organization and initiative.
• Experience in grant-making and democratic development is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player, including coordination and facilitation skills.
• Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
• NED is unable to sponsor or transfer employment visa sponsorship at this time.

Responsibilities

• Work closely and flexibly with a diverse range of civic actors working on good governance, media freedom, human rights, rule of law, public policy, civic education, and other areas related to democratic development.
• Assist in the evaluation of project proposals.
• Produce written materials and presentations to provide funding recommendations to NED leadership.
• Communicate regularly with existing grantees, often in Arabic and/or French.
• Monitor the implementation of NED-approved projects and evaluate the effectiveness and the institutional growth of NED grantees by analyzing grantee reports and products, providing feedback on implemented activities, maintaining continuous communication over the grant cycle, and conducting regular field visits.
• Help organize events to highlight specific democracy-related issues in coordination with the other MENA team members.
• Travel to the region as needed, and occasionally under difficult conditions, to monitor existing grantees, identify new funding opportunities, and gain on-the-ground perspective on the political situation.
• 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 MENA team members.
• Build and maintain relationships with like-minded organizations, including other donors, NED partners, and regional organizations.
• Liaise with other NED teams and participate in various working groups and other efforts to improve NED’s overall functioning and effectiveness.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

English-Arabic bilingual communication

French language proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in International Affairs/Political Science/International Development/MENA studies

Master's Degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington, DC seeks an Assistant Program Officer to support the MENA portfolio by assisting with the management, administration, and development of programming in North Africa and nearby regions. The role is hybrid and based in DC, within the bargaining unit.

You will work with leadership to evaluate proposals, prepare funding recommendations, and maintain ongoing communication with grantees in Arabic and French while helping organize events and