Hybrid- Program Officer, Media

Counterpart International seeks a full-time DC-based Program Officer to support a project in a potentially closed, non-permissive environment. Under the supervision of the Civil Society Technical Lead, the Program Officer will support the project’s local partners’ operation in the field and assist in implementing the activities. The Program Officer will coordinate activities among departments such as Grants, M&E, Finance, Project Support Unit (PSU), and Project Management Unit (PMU). The Program Officer will support the overall contractual, operational, and financial management of the project’s local partners and provide necessary mentorship, guidance, and technical support for partners’ project implementation and organizational development processes. The Program Officers will review applicants’ proposals and participate in the Grants Technical Evaluation Committee (GTEC). As part of the program team, The Program Officer will largely contribute to Annual Work Plan (AWP) processes, conduct regular context studies, and provide state analysis in their respective areas.

Responsibilities

Delivery and Technical Excellence:

• Provide day-to-day program management support and effective coordination to the project implementing partners on the ground.
• Ensure adherence and compliance to USAID rules and regulations, obtain regular updates and information from the field regarding changes and limitations posed to civil society and media regulatory environment and states of human rights situation. Ensure that partners operate in compliance with USAID rules and regulations.
• Provide contractual/agreement quality control and compliance with programs, grants, and compliance guidance.
• Conduct regular studies of media in Afghanistan, particularly TV stations, and provide highlights to civil society technical lead.
• Draft and archive project deliverables, including weekly highlights, quarterly reports, and the ASP AWP.
• Review grant applicant proposals and participate in GTEC to evaluate applications.
• Conduct needs assessments, training, and technical support to implementing partners and provide mentorship and coaching to partners on the ground.
• Support partners in recruiting key personnel and short-term consultants (if any). Monitor project implementation, detect implementing partners’ problems and glitches, and help them take corrective actions.
• Manage a portfolio of grants focusing on media/TVs and serve as the project point of contact for the implementing partners. Make sure to coordinate between grants and M&E teams for their respective portfolio.
• Develop deliverables for Fixed Award Agreements (FAA) to contribute to the contract development processes, review implementing partners’ work plan, budget, and program reports against agreed-upon deliverables, and provide approval for further payment processes in coordination with Grants and M&E.
• Other duties as assigned by the program management team.

Learning and Innovation

• Engage in self-driven professional development and growth activities.
• Contribute to the project and Counterpart International’s learning agenda.
• Mentor and coach implementing partners project teams, including managers and technical staff.
• Conduct regular study and analysis of the context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related fields, including journalism, public relations, communication, governance, civil society, or a relevant combination of education and work experience required.
• Minimum 5 years of professional work experience in civil society, and media. Work experience in Afghanistan and understanding the Afghan civil society and media are essential.
• Prior experience on USAID civil society and media–focused projects, especially in closed civic spaces, and knowledge of USAID rules and regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including delivering formal and informal presentations and drafting and editing deliverables.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and in a team.
• Attention to detail, good organizational and prioritization skills.
• Interest and knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa.
• Budget and proposal review skills, as well as management.
• Willingness to mentor the project team, support the organizational development process, and offer technical assistance.
• Strong command of English, Dari, and/or Pashtu languages is necessary.

The salary range for this position is $58,446 to $75,980 annually.