Program Associate — Elections

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) seeks a Program Associate with strong organizational, interpersonal, administrative, writing, and analytical skills to join the Elections and Political Processes Team. The Program Associate will work alongside team members to organize a series of events focused on emerging electoral integrity issues, as well as supporting partnerships with local organizations and citizen observation experts training their peers on advanced election monitoring methodologies. The Elections and Political Process Team is responsible for advising and assisting NDI’s regional teams, country offices, and local and international partners in the development and implementation of elections programming around the world. The team also implements global programs focused on advancing electoral integrity, and the selected candidate will support one such program through writing, programmatic and contract support, budgeting, logistics, communications, research, and other activities. This full-time position is based in Washington, D.C.

Essential Accountabilities

• Support timely and efficient program implementation through administrative support, including invoice processing, data entry, travel and meeting coordination, and other administrative tasks.
• Support the planning and execution of team events with external parties, attending as required to provide onsite support or as a development opportunity.
• Complete basic research and analysis assignments and provide summarized findings in a clear, concise and understandable manner, with objectives, relevant facts, data, and conclusions presented as required.
• Prepare and/or support the preparation of selected materials (proposals, work plans, presentations, etc.) and communications. Complete initial drafts of assigned reports and updates for dissemination to internal and external audiences, including donors and other key program partners, ensuring proper and accurate formatting, spelling, and grammar usage as well as inclusion of required content.
• Develop and/or implement processes and/or methodologies to assist in the tracking and monitoring of program and/or team work progress, data, and other relevant information (e.g. budget, travel), ensuring specific information required is captured and maintained to meet established record-keeping and documentation requirements.
• Support the evaluation of programmatic outcomes based upon specific, pre-defined metrics through the provision of data and other relevant information. Consistently track program progress, including ensuring the team meets its goals for inclusive and accessible programming.
• Participate in strategy and work plan formulation discussions and create initial budget and plan-related document drafts for review/approval.
• Coordinate and/or participate in internal meetings to develop and maintain a knowledge of team and program objectives and work progress, and demonstrate this understanding in the execution and completion of assigned work, including the monitoring of global trends and best practices in electoral integrity.
• Track political developments related to assigned programs and inform NDI colleagues and partners of related developments and their potential program impact.
• Serve as the point of contact for general requests for information or questions concerning team and/or programmatic activities/work and provide responses, directing those which are more complex or require more specific detailed responses to appropriate team members.
• Adhere to NDI’s organizational values, standards of conduct, policies and processes, and any other established expectations for NDI employees, including those related to performance, i.e. goals and position description accountabilities/responsibilities such as those presented herein.

Peripheral Accountabilities/Responsibilities (Non-essential)

• Participate in cross-functional initiatives as needed.
• Actively seek and engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge in project/program management, and maintain a general working knowledge of relevant program trends and issues occurring external to NDI.
• Perform other duties as required.

Parameters

• Operates under general supervision of other members of the Elections team, receives direction on most processes and methods and is assigned most work.
• Interacts regularly with staff at all levels within NDI.
• Some interaction with external funders and partners is required when necessary to support the provision of information or clarify information necessary for program operations and administration activities.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in International Relations, Political Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Experience

• This is an entry level program position requiring no previous work experience. Previous internships or coursework in international development, political campaigning, community organizing, legislative affairs or a related subject are desired.
• Prior relevant international field work experience in-country and/or completion of one or more semesters of education abroad is highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

• Strong interest in NDI’s electoral programming, particularly related to citizen election observation, and/or democratic transitions and the role of elections in promoting democratic reform.
• Basic research and analysis skills to allow for gathering, summarizing, and presenting findings.
• Event planning and organization skills, including an interest in supporting international events.
• Interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively and diplomatically with individuals at all levels of the organization, as well as externally both domestically and internationally with NDI partners, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and taking information in writing, in person, and through various communication media.
• An attention-to-detail, with a propensity to complete work accurately and with a focus on quality.
• Math skills and the ability to perform accurate calculations and understand quantitative information. Interest in statistical analysis and using analysis of systematically collected data to communicate information to a wide audience.
• Initiative and a basic level of proficiency in the ability to multitask and prioritize; manage time, perform project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills; and flexibility to adapt and respond to shifting priorities.
• Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to apply discretion and maintain confidential information.
• Ability to travel internationally, as needed.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint; knowledge of Google Workspace tools preferred. Basic database skills are desired.
• Fluency in a foreign language is highly desired.

Certifications/Licenses (desired)

None required.

Work Environment

• This position generally is performed in an office environment and may be suitable for partial telework.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, as well as attendance at external events.
• International travel is typically not required for this role, but there may be occasions when the opportunity may be presented for such travel to support a given program or field activity. This is generally at no greater than 5% of an incumbent’s work time in this role.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting/mobility—to work at a desk and move around work areas.
• Speaking/hearing—to engage orally in conversation with others.
• Seeing—to effectively use a computer screen and for reading and interpreting printed materials, memos and other paperwork
• Reaching/handling—to input information into computer systems and retrieve and work with appropriate paperwork, equipment and supplies and complete filing.

ADA Notation:

The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. NDI encourages applicants with disabilities to apply.

Comments:

To comply with tax and legal obligations, all candidates for DC-based positions must reside in Maryland, DC or Virginia. While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environments, candidates must be residents of MD, DC or VA or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.

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