Program Associate

About InterAction

InterAction is the largest alliance of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the U.S., with over 190 members working in every developing country. Members are large and small, faith-based and secular, with a focus on the world’s most poor and vulnerable populations. The U.S. public, foundations and governments support the work of our members who collectively invest and manage over $18 billion a year. InterAction’s own funds come from dues and generous grants from others, such as foundations, corporations, and governments. Using its collective voice, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions as wide range of foreign assistance, relief, development, environmental and other issues that advance human dignity. To learn more about InterAction’s mission, DEI approach, values and more visit the link: https://www.interaction.org/about-interaction/interactions-approachto-diversity-equity-inclusion/

Background

InterAction is recruiting a Program Associate to support the Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements work stream within the Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP) Team. Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements (S&S) assistance strives to provide safe, dignified, and appropriate living spaces and related settlements interventions to meet the most basic needs of conflict/disaster-affected and displaced populations. The S&S work at InterAction provides a platform to support and improve the collaboration, capacity, practices, and policies of InterAction Members and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Familiarize with the broader humanitarian S&S assistance modalities, keep up to date on crisis affected country contexts, and understand Members’ overarching challenges in providing humanitarian assistance, specifically shelter and settlements and NFIs. • Conduct basic literature review on issues related to S&S, such as non-food shelter items; disaster risk reduction; the Settlements Approach1 ; protection and gender issues; camps and camp-like settings; communications with communities; house, land, property, and tenure security; and rental and hosting support. • Support InterAction’s development of new online trainings2 (Wider-Impacts of S&S3 , the Settlements Approach, and updated Shelter and Settlements training course). These involve significant group and individual consultations, peer-reviews, and testing. • Support InterAction’s climate and environmental mainstreaming work with research, meeting facilitation, and note taking. • Support planning, managing, and facilitating regional Shelter Forums (MENA, LAC and Africa); organizing Asia local response leadership conference; and liaising with organizing partners. • Promote and advocate for shelter needs and good practices via social media, blogs, and articles in research journals. • Organize and manage monthly working group meetings and other forums with Members and external stakeholders. • Support recruitment of consultants and contractual requirements, timelines, and payments. • Facilitate meetings and events; liaise with the Global Shelter Cluster, UN Agencies, country clusters and field staff; and conduct business development and partnership support with donors, academic institutions, current and prospective members. • Support proposal development, management, and reporting.

The Program Associate may be required to assist with other priority tasks from time to time. The Program Associate will spend 5-10% of their time on learning and professional development and may be required to support other teams and organizational logistics and administrative tasks, as required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a focus on international development, humanities, conflict studies or similar fields. Technical degree or experience in engineering, architecture, or urban planning is a plus. • Up to 1-2 years of professional, volunteer, or research experience in a relevant field, including but not limited to internships or semesters abroad in low- and middle-income countries. • Keen interest in the humanitarian shelter and housing sector. Familiarity with humanitarian related work or NGO system. • Excellent writing and analytical skills. Fluency in a second language will be highly valued. • Ability to analyze and synthesize a broad range of academic and humanitarian publications. • Strong organization, coordination, and project management skills. Ability to prioritize, multitask, adapt, and manage time effectively. • Enjoy working as part of a team and facilitating cross-team collaboration. • Ability to follow through on tasks and responsibilities proactively with limited supervision. • Ability to organize, facilitate and lead working group meetings with large audiences. • Commitment to InterAction’s mission and values.

Physical Requirements

InterAction is based in Washington DC and candidates are expected to reside in the DMV area to facilitate a hybrid workplace environment. There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. InterAction will make reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Limited international travel will be required.

Position Title, Type and Location

Program Associate – Shelter and Settlements; Full-time; Washington, DC The position is conditional on funding, currently expected June 2022 to September 2023 and extended upon additional funding.