The ABA is recruiting a Program Officer to support the anticipated “Strengthening Human Rights, Information Integrity, Equality, and Democracy for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) population in the Western Balkans” (Western Balkans Equality SHIELD) program.
The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe. For over 25 years in more than 100 countries to promote the rule of law, advance human rights, strengthen judicial institutions, support legal professionals and human rights defenders, and advance understanding of the law and rights of citizens by the public.

Program Background
The Western Balkans Equality SHIELD program will work to mitigate the impact of anti-rights disinformation so that the LGBTQI+ population is able to exercise their rights equally. It will be implemented in the Western Balkans, with regional activities and in-country work in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia by a consortium consisting of the ABA, the LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey (ERA), and Justice for Prosperity.

Position Summary:
The Program Officer will assist in implementing activities and supporting partner relationships as part of ABA’s team. Reporting to the Chief of Party, this role will contribute to and help manage all aspects of program implementation. The Program Officer will oversee day-to-day technical activities, liaising closely with the Chief of Party, partners, and grantees to ensure that activities meet or exceed ABA commitments to the donor. This includes ensuring that all administrative, budgetary, and compliance requirements align with ABA policies and donor regulations.

Job Responsibilities:

• Participate in strategic discussions and contribute technical inputs to the program.
• Contributes to work plan drafts and assists the team to track program deliverables against approved work plans and budgets.
• Contributes to the program’s research efforts conducting desk research and other assigned tasks related to ABA’s and the program’s goals, for internal and external audiences.
• Lead the implementation of assigned workplan activities, ensuring effectiveness, quality and timeliness.
• Support the technical design of assigned program activities, including the development of concept notes, terms of reference and other technical documents.
• Leads the recruitment of event speakers, consultants, and pro bono experts, including drafting job descriptions, participates in panel interviews, and onboarding new consultants on ABA processes and procedures.
• Monitors the delivery of agreed-upon products by consultants and ensures adherence to ABA policies and donor requirements.
• Supports logistical arrangements for domestic and international events and drafts relevant briefing materials, training, and workshop agendas.
• Collaborates with the with the program’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist to develop and apply monitoring and evaluation tools, incorporating feedback from participants and partners into the program implementation.
• Helps prepare reports and other materials provided to donors, including drafting and editing periodic reports.
• Supports programs’ adherence to data and personally identifiable information privacy regulations and branding waivers and vetting processes, country media monitoring and tracking political and environmental developments impacting safety and security.
• Assist the program’s Field Financial Manager to verify program expenses and monitor the program’s budgetary execution.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least two (2) years of work experience in a program management capacity.
• Basic skills in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Knowledge of or master’s degree in human rights or related topics.
• Interest in commitment to rule of law, human rights, democracy and governance, social inclusion, and LGBTQI+ equality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Effective time management and a strong ability to multitask, adapt, and manage competing priorities.
• Strong Microsoft Office Suite skills and familiarity with social media.
• Ability and willingness to be an effective team player.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in one of the official Western Balkan languages (Albanian, Bosnian, Macedonian, or Serbian) is required, with strong written and oral communication skills. Proficiency in two or more of these languages is preferred, particularly in Albanian.

Location:
This is a full-time position that can be based in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, or Serbia.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your Curriculum Vitae in English by September 22, 2024.